נְחֻשְׁתָּא (ne.chush.ta)
ne.chush.ta
Nehushta
N:N-F-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-F-P
Word Overview
The name Nehushta appears only once in Scripture, identifying a woman in the royal family of Judah during the reign of King Jehoiakim (2 Kings 24:8). She is recorded as the daughter of Elnathan and the wife of Jehoiakim, serving as the mother of his successor, King Jehoiachin. Her mention anchors her within a specific historical moment just before the Babylonian exile.
Etymologically, the name derives from the Hebrew word for bronze or brass (nechoshet). In ancient Near Eastern cultures, names often reflected materials valued for durability and strength. By bearing this name, she may have been associated with qualities of resilience or enduring value, though the text itself does not elaborate on her character or actions beyond her familial relationships.
As a proper noun, Nehushta serves as a genealogical marker rather than a theological term. Its single occurrence highlights the importance of lineage in biblical records, connecting three generations of Judah’s kings. The name reminds readers that behind major historical shifts, such as the fall of Jerusalem, stood real individuals whose lives were woven into the nation’s story.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Bible often focuses on kings and prophets, yet it quietly preserves the names of women who held pivotal roles in history. Nehushta appears in 2 Kings 24:8 as the mother of King Jehoiachin. Her name, derived from the word for bronze or brass, suggests a connection to durability and strength. While the text does not record her specific actions, her presence anchors the royal lineage during a time of great upheaval.
This brief mention reminds us that God’s historical narrative includes real people with distinct identities. Even when political powers crumble and nations fall, individual lives remain part of a larger story. We can find comfort in knowing that our own histories, however quiet they may seem, are known and valued by God. The resilience implied by her name reflects the enduring nature of faith through changing times.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [was] Nehushta1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נְחֻשְׁתָּ֥א1×
Key Verses
-
II Kings 24:8
Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother’s name was Nehushta the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem.
This verse identifies Nehushta as the mother of Jehoiachin, anchoring the royal lineage just before the Babylonian exile.