יִרְמְיָה
Jirmejah, the name of eight or nine Israelites
Definition
Yirmᵉyâh (Jeremiah) is a proper name meaning 'Yahweh will rise' or 'Yahweh will exalt.' It is most famously borne by the major prophet Jeremiah, author of the book bearing his name, who ministered during the final decades of Judah before the Babylonian exile (Jeremiah 1:1-3). The name is also applied to eight or nine other individuals in the Old Testament, including a Reubenite chief (1 Chronicles 5:24), several mighty men of David (1 Chronicles 12:4, 10, 13), and the father of King Zedekiah's wife (2 Kings 24:18). While the name's meaning is consistent, its significance is profoundly tied to the prophetic ministry of Jeremiah, who embodied the message of God's rising judgment and promised future restoration.
Biblical Usage
The name appears 133 times, predominantly in the book of Jeremiah, referring to the prophet. Outside this book, it identifies other figures primarily in historical narratives. In 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles, it refers to the prophet in the context of royal history (2 Kings 23:31, 2 Chronicles 35:25). In 1 Chronicles, it identifies various warriors and tribal leaders from the time of David and earlier (1 Chronicles 5:24, 12:4, 10, 13). The usage pattern shows the name was common in the late monarchic period, attached to both prominent and supporting characters in Israel's story.
Etymology
Derived from the Hebrew roots רוּם (rûm, H7311), meaning 'to be high' or 'to rise,' and יָהּ (Yâh, H3050), a shortened form of Yahweh, the personal name of God. The full form יִרְמְיָהוּ (Yirmᵉyāhû) explicitly shows the theophoric element. The name is a declarative statement of faith: 'Yahweh will rise/exalt,' implying God's sovereign action in lifting up His people, executing judgment, or establishing His name.
Semantic Range
The name Jeremiah is theologically significant as it encapsulates the core message of the prophet's ministry. It points to Yahweh as the active, rising God—one who rises to judge His rebellious people (Jeremiah 1:14-16) and also to raise up a future hope and a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34). Understanding the meaning 'Yahweh will rise' enriches the reading of the prophetic books, framing even the direst prophecies of doom within the context of God's sovereign, purposeful, and ultimately redemptive action.
As a theophoric name (containing God's name), 'Jeremiah' reflects the common Israelite practice of embedding faith declarations into personal identity. It expressed parental hope in Yahweh's active power and favor upon the child. The name's popularity during the late monarchy period may reflect a cultural and religious emphasis on Yahweh's sovereignty amidst national decline.
Yeshayahu (יְשַׁעְיָהוּ, H3470) — Another theophoric prophet's name meaning 'Yahweh is salvation.' Zekaryah (זְכַרְיָה, H2148) — A name meaning 'Yahweh remembers,' borne by another prophet.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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