Jekamiah
Biblical Figures Named Jekamiah
The name Jekamiah (meaning "Yahweh establishes" or "may Yahweh establish") belongs to two individuals in the Old Testament genealogies, both from the tribe of Judah. They appear exclusively in the Chronicler's genealogical records, with no narrative stories attached to their names.
Jekamiah, Son of Shallum
The first Jekamiah is listed in 1 Chronicles 2:41 as a descendant of Judah through his son Perez. He is identified as the son of Shallum and the father of Elishama within a lengthy genealogy tracing Judahite lineages. This genealogy establishes family connections within the tribe of Judah, showing the continuation of the line from Judah down through various generations. His placement in this list indicates he was part of Judah's tribal structure, though his specific historical role or achievements are not recorded.
Jekamiah, Son of King Jehoiachin
The second and more notable Jekamiah appears in 1 Chronicles 3:17-18 as one of seven sons born to King Jehoiachin (also called Jeconiah or Coniah), the penultimate king of Judah who was taken into Babylonian exile. Jehoiachin's story is recorded in 2 Kings 24:8-16 and Jeremiah 52:31-34. Jekamiah is thus part of the royal Davidic line during the exile period. His brothers included Shealtiel (an ancestor of Jesus), Malchiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah.
Significance in Biblical Genealogies
Both mentions of Jekamiah serve important genealogical purposes. The first maintains the continuity of Judah's tribal records, while the second preserves the Davidic royal lineage through the exile—a crucial link for messianic expectations. The Chronicler, writing after the exile, took particular care to document these genealogical connections to establish continuity between pre-exilic Israel and the post-exilic community.
The Meaning of the Name
The name Jekamiah (Hebrew: יְקַמְיָה) combines elements meaning "to establish" and the divine name Yahweh. This theophoric name (containing God's name) reflects the common practice of embedding faith declarations within personal names. Similar names include Hezekiah ("Yahweh strengthens") and Jeremiah ("Yahweh exalts"). The meaning "Yahweh establishes" takes on particular poignancy for the second Jekamiah, born during the exile when the question of whether God would re-establish the Davidic line was paramount.
Biblical Context
Jekamiah appears only in the genealogical sections of 1 Chronicles. The first mention is in 1 Chronicles 2:41 within the extended genealogy of Judah's descendants. The second appears in 1 Chronicles 3:18 in the genealogy of David's royal line, specifically as a son of the exiled King Jehoiachin. These genealogies serve to connect the post-exilic community with their ancestral past and preserve the Davidic lineage.
Theological Significance
The inclusion of Jekamiah in Scripture demonstrates God's faithfulness in preserving lineages despite historical disruptions like exile. For the second Jekamiah, being born in exile yet recorded in the royal genealogy shows that God's promises to David (2 Samuel 7:16) continued even when the monarchy appeared ended. The name itself ("Yahweh establishes") serves as a theological declaration that God establishes families, lineages, and ultimately His redemptive plan despite human circumstances.
Historical Background
The second Jekamiah lived during the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), a period when the Davidic monarchy was suspended but not forgotten. Extra-biblical evidence confirms the historical existence of his father, Jehoiachin, through Babylonian administrative tablets that record rations provided to "Yaukin, king of Judah" and his sons in captivity. This archaeological discovery lends credibility to the biblical record of Jehoiachin's exile and family. The careful preservation of such genealogies was particularly important for post-exilic Jews reestablishing identity and land claims.