יְקַמְיָה (ye.qam.yah)
ye.qam.yah
Jekamiah
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Yeqamyah, rendered in English as Jekamiah or Jecamiah, carries the meaning "Jehovah raises." It appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both within the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles. These brief mentions place two different individuals with this name in the lineage of Judah during the era of the Divided Monarchy.
The first Yeqamyah is listed as a son of Shallum and grandson of Ahlai (1 Chronicles 2:41). The second appears later in the text, identified as a son of Shealtiel and brother to figures like Pedaiah and Zerubbabel (1 Chronicles 3:18). This second individual belongs to the royal line of David, specifically emerging after the failure of the direct line through Jehoiachin.
Although the name itself is not a theological term but a personal identifier, its components reflect a common biblical theme. The verb qum, meaning "to rise" or "to raise," combined with the divine name Yah, suggests trust in God’s sustaining power. In the context of post-exilic genealogies, such names often served to remind readers that despite political collapse, the lineage remained intact through divine intervention.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Jekamiah means "Jehovah raises." It appears in two brief genealogical lists in 1 Chronicles. These records trace the lineage of Judah, preserving the memory of individuals who might otherwise be forgotten. For a reader today, this suggests that God notices and remembers every person in His story, no matter how small their role may seem.
In the second instance, Jekamiah is listed among the sons of Shealtiel, connecting him to the royal line of David after the exile. This placement highlights a theme of restoration. Even when political power collapsed and people were scattered, the lineage continued. The name itself serves as a reminder that God sustains His people through difficult transitions.
While we do not know the personal lives of these men, their inclusion in Scripture affirms the faithfulness of God to preserve His covenant promises. It encourages us to trust that God is at work in our own lives, raising up hope and continuity even in seasons of uncertainty or change.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Jekamiah2×
- and/ Jekamiah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יְקַמְיָ֥ה1×
- יְקַמְיָ֔ה1×
- וִֽ/יקַמְיָ֖ה1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 2:41
and Shallum became the father of Jekamiah, and Jekamiah became the father of Elishama.
This verse places Jekamiah in the earlier tribal lineage of Judah as a son of Shallum, showing the continuity of the tribe before the monarchy's peak.
-
I Chronicles 3:18
Malchiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah.
Here Jekamiah is listed among the sons of Shealtiel, linking him directly to the post-exilic restoration and the Davidic royal line.