יְרֹחָם (ye.ro.cham)
ye.ro.cham
Jeroham
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Yeroham, meaning "He shows pity" or "God is gracious," appears seven times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily within the genealogical records of Chronicles and Nehemiah. It identifies several distinct individuals across different tribes, reflecting a common naming practice where personal virtues or theological affirmations were passed down through families.
Lexical sources distinguish these bearers by their lineage and role. One prominent figure is the Levite ancestor of Elkanah, making him the grandfather of the prophet Samuel. Other men with this name include a Benjamite patriarch, priests from the family of Immer, a warrior from David’s court, and a tribal head from Dan. The repetition suggests it was a recognizable name among Israel’s leadership classes during the United Monarchy and post-exilic periods.
While the individual stories of these men are not detailed in Scripture, their names serve as historical markers. They connect broader biblical narratives to specific family lines, preserving the identity of those who served in religious or military capacities. The meaning of the name itself highlights a theological theme common in Israelite genealogies: that divine compassion is acknowledged and remembered through generations.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Yeroham carries the gentle weight of divine compassion, translating to 'He shows pity' or 'God is gracious.' In the biblical record, this name appears not in grand narratives of battle or prophecy, but within the quiet lines of genealogies. These records serve as a reminder that God’s grace is often passed down through generations, anchoring families in a history of faithfulness even when their individual stories remain unrecorded.
For believers today, this recurring name offers a comforting perspective on legacy. It suggests that our spiritual heritage is built upon the faithful lives of those who came before, each acknowledging God's mercy in their own way. Whether an ancestor served as a priest, a warrior, or a tribal leader, the name itself stands as a testament to the enduring nature of divine kindness.
When we consider the lineage of figures like Elkanah, father of Samuel, we see how God works through ordinary family lines to bring forth extraordinary purpose. The presence of Yeroham in these lists invites us to trust that God’s gracious character is woven into the fabric of history, sustaining His people across time and circumstance.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Jeroham7×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יְרֹחָ֔ם2×
- יְרֹחָֽם\׃1×
- יְרֹחָ֧ם1×
- יְרֹחָ֤ם1×
- יְרֹחָ֡ם1×
- יְרֹחָ֑ם1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 1:1
Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim Zophim, of the hill country of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.
This verse identifies Jeroham as the grandfather of Elkanah, placing him in the direct ancestral line of the prophet Samuel and highlighting his role in preserving a lineage chosen for significant prophetic service.
-
I Chronicles 9:12
and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah; and Maasai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer;
Here Jeroham is listed as the son of Pashhur within the priestly family of Immer, emphasizing the name's association with sacred duties and religious leadership in the post-exilic community.
-
II Chronicles 23:1
In the seventh year, Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds—Azariah the son of Jeroham, Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, Azariah the son of Obed, Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri—into a covenant with him.
Azariah the son of Jeroham is named among the captains who helped Jehoiada restore proper worship, showing how descendants of this name continued to play vital roles in protecting Israel's spiritual integrity.