נִמְשִׁי (nim.shi)
nim.shi
Nimshi
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
Nimshi is a proper name in the Hebrew Bible, appearing five times across 1 Kings, 2 Kings, and 2 Chronicles. The sources identify him as a figure from the divided monarchy period, specifically noted as the grandfather of King Jehu. His name itself carries the meaning "rescued," a detail that adds a layer of historical texture to his brief mentions in the royal lineage.
He is first introduced in 1 Kings 19:16, where the prophet Elijah receives a command to anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel. This single narrative moment anchors his significance: he is the patriarchal link through whom God’s judgment on the house of Ahab would eventually be executed. Though he does not appear as an active character in the story, his identity defines the lineage of the military leader who would later seize the throne.
The brevity of his scriptural presence contrasts with the weight of his descendants’ actions. By identifying him as Jehu’s grandfather, the texts highlight a divine irony: a man whose name means "rescued" becomes the ancestor of a king known for violent revolution. The sources confirm his role is primarily genealogical, serving to connect Elijah’s prophetic word with Jehu’s historical rise to power.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Nimshi means "rescued," a title that carries significant weight in the biblical narrative. Though he appears only briefly as the grandfather of King Jehu, his identity serves as a crucial link in God's plan to judge the house of Ahab. This reminds us that God often works through ordinary family lines and unexpected generations to bring about His purposes.
When Elijah was commanded to anoint Jehu, he did not know the full scope of what would follow. Yet, God’s word remained sure. Nimshi’s legacy shows how divine promises unfold across time, connecting prophetic instruction with historical action. It is a comfort to know that our lives, and the lives of those who came before us, are held within God’s sovereign care.
Even when we cannot see the full picture, we can trust that God is working behind the scenes. The story of Nimshi invites us to rest in the certainty that God’s plans will come to pass, regardless of the complexity or violence of human history. We are part of a larger story where God’s justice and mercy ultimately prevail.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Nimshi5×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נִמְשִׁ֔י3×
- נִמְשִׁ֗י1×
- נִמְשִׁ֖י1×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 19:16
Anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi to be king over Israel; and anoint Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah to be prophet in your place.
This verse establishes Nimshi’s significance by recording Elijah’s command to anoint his grandson Jehu, linking the prophetic word directly to the royal lineage.
-
II Kings 9:2
When you come there, find Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi, and go in and make him rise up from among his brothers, and take him to an inner room.
The detailed genealogy here emphasizes the legitimacy of Jehu’s mission, tracing it back through Nimshi to validate the anointing as God’s ordained judgment.
-
II Chronicles 22:7
Now the destruction of Ahaziah was of God, in that he went to Joram; for when he had come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom Yahweh had anointed to cut off Ahab’s house.
This passage highlights the divine irony that Ahaziah’s destruction was part of Yahweh’s plan to cut off Ahab’s house through Jehu, showing God’s sovereignty over political events.