Jabel to Jesse
Dictionary of Bible Names

Jabal was the firstborn son of Lamech. The Bible describes him as the father of those who dwell in tents and own cattle.

References
Genesis 4:20

Jabesh (Jabesh Gilead)
Dry
Strong's #H3003

Jabesh was the father of King Shallum of Israel. Shallum's reign lasted only one month as he was murdered by Menahem who succeeded him on the throne.

Jabesh is also a Biblically shortened way to refer to Jabesh Gilead (Jabeshgilead). This city was likely located east of the Jordan River and southeast of the Sea of Galilee. In was at Jabesh-gilead where all the inhabitants were killed, except for 400 virgins, in order to provide wives for Benjamite men (Judges 21).

References
Judges 21:8 - 14, 1Samuel 11:1 - 10, 31:11 - 13, 2Samuel 2:4 - 5, 21:12, 2Kings 15:10, 13 - 14, 1Chronicles 10:11 - 12

Jabez
Read our dedicated article on this topic.

Jabin
Intelligent, whom God observes
Strong's #H2985

References
Joshua 11:1, Judges 4, Psalm 83:9

Jabneel
Built of God, God causes to build
Strong's #H2995

Jabneel was the name of two distinct cities in Promised Land. One city was given to the tribe of Naphtali and another to tribe of Judah as an inheritance.

References
Joshua 15:11, 19:33

Jachin
He will establish
Strong's #H3199

Jachin was the name of one of Simeon's sons. Jachin is also the name of a priest who returned from exile to Jerusalem and the name of priest who headed one of the shifts serving the temple (1Chronicles 24:17).

One of the two bronze pillars that stood at the entrance of Solomon's temple was also named Jachin.

References
Genesis 46:10, Exodus 6:15, Numbers 26:12, 1Kings 7:21, 1Chronicles 9:10, 24:17, 2Chronicles 3:17, Nehemiah 11:10

Jacob
Heel holder (catcher), supplanter
Strong's #H3290

References
Genesis 25, 27:6 - 46, 28:1 - 20, 29:1 - 28, 30:1 - 42, 31:1 - 54, etc.

Jael
Mountain goat
Strong's #H3278

Deborah and Barak fought and overcame Jabin's army in order to free Israel from his domination. Fleeing the battlefield, Jabin ends up at the tent of Jael seeking refuge. She welcomes the king who soon is fast asleep on her floor.

Jael then silently grabs a hammer and proceeds to drive a tent nail through Jabin's temple, killing him instantly! Her act of bravery is memorialized in a victory song found in Judges 5.

Jagur
He sojourns, lodging
Strong's #H3017

Jagur was a city given to the tribe of Judah as an inheritance in the Promised Land.

References
Joshua 15:21

Jah
Shortened form of Jehovah
Strong's #H3050

References
Psalm 68:4

Jahaz (Jahazah)
To stamp, trodden down, threshing floor
Strong's #H3096

Israel, under Moses, requested safe passage from Amorite King Sihon through his land. Not only is the request rejected, the king attacks God's people at Jahaz. The Israelites, with God's blessing, destroy the Amorites and claim their land. The city of Jahaz is then given to the tribe of Reuben.

Jahaziel
Beheld of God
Strong's #H3166

Jahaziel is the name of five Israelites.

References
1Chronicles 12:4, 16:6, 23:19, 24:23, 2Chronicles 20:14, Ezra 8:5

Jair
He enlightens, enlightener
Strong's #H2971

Jair is a descendant of Manasseh (one of Joseph's two sons). He conquered several large towns, east of the Jordan in Manasseh's land inheritance, and named the area after himself. Another Jair was a Judge in the northern part of Israel from 1079 to 1057 B.C.

Two other Biblical men are also named Jair. The first is the father of Elhanan who killed the huge brother of Goliath the giant. The second is Mordecai's father. Mordecai, along with Esther, helped save the Jews living in the Persian Empire from mass extermination.

Jambres
Foamy healer
Strong's #G2387

Jambres and Jannes, the names of which are only revealed by the Apostle Paul, were two Egyptian magicians. They actively opposed Moses and Aaron's efforts to free the Israelites from Egyptian slavery.

There are three men named James in the New Testament. Surprisingly, all three of them were Christians and leaders in the early church! For more information please visit the listing for James (Jesus' half-brother), James (the Greater) and James (the Less) in our New Testament people series.

Jamin
Right hand
Strong's #H3226

Three men are named Jamin in the Old Testament.

References
Genesis 46:10, Exodus 6:15, Numbers 26;12, 1Chronicles 2:27, 4;24, Nehemiah 8:7

Jannes
He vexed
Strong's #G2389

Jannes and Jambres, the names of which are only revealed by the Apostle Paul, were two Egyptian magicians. They actively opposed Moses and Aaron's efforts to free the Israelites from Egyptian slavery.

References
2Timothy 3:8

Janohah (Janoah)
Quiet, he rests
Strong's #H3239

Janohah, also called Janoah, was a city given to the tribe of Ephraim as an inheritance in the Promised Land.

References
Joshua 16:6 - 7, 2Kings 15:29

Janum
Asleep
Strong's #H3241

Janum was a city given to the tribe of Judah as an inheritance in the Promised Land.

References
Joshua 15:53

Japheth
Expansion, opened
Strong's #H3315

Japheth was one of Noah's three sons who survived the flood.

Japhia
Shining, bright
Strong's #H3309

Japhia was the king of Lachish who, along with other rulers, sought to stop Israel's conquering of Canaan. Their attempt, however, failed miserably, and Japhia lost his life at the hands of Joshua. Another person named Japhia was one of King David's sons through a concubine.

Japhia is also the name of a city given to the tribe of Zebulun as an inheritance in the Promised Land.

References
Joshua 10:3, 19:12, 2Samuel 5:15, 1Chronicles 3:7, 14:6

Japhleti
Let him escape
Strong's #H3311

Japhleti was the location where the descendants of Japhlet lived within the borders of the tribe of Ephraim.

Jareb
Contender, he will contend
Strong's #H3377

References
Hosea 5:13, 10:6

Jared
Descent
Strong's #H3382, #G2391

Jared represented the sixth generation of humans on planet earth. Son of Mahalealel, he brought Enoch into the world when he was 162 years old! Jared lived an incredible 962 years, only seven years less than Methuselah his grandson!

References
Genesis 5:15 - 20, Luke 3:37

Jarib
He contends
Strong's #H3402

The name of three Old Testament men. One of these men, a priest, was compelled by Ezra the prophet to put away his foreign wife.

References
1Chronicles 4:24, Ezra 8:16, 10:18

Jarmuth
Heights, elevation
Strong's #H3412

Jarmuth was a Levitical city in the tribe of Isaachar's territory. It was also the name of a city in Judah's territory.

References
Joshua 10:3, 5, 23, 12:11, 15:35, 21:29, Nehemiah 11:29

References
Joshua 10:13, 2Samuel 1:18

Jason
About to cure, one who will heal
Strong's #G2394

Jason was a Jewish convert to Christianity living in Thessalonica. He hosted Paul and Silas when they stayed in the city during the apostle's second missionary journey. Evidence suggests Jason may have been one of Paul's distant relatives.

References
Acts 17:5 - 9, Romans 16:21

Jattir
Plenty, redundant
Strong's #H3492

Jattir was a Levitical city within the tribe of Judah's inheritance in the Promised Land.

References
Joshua 15:48, 21:14, 1Samuel 30:27, 1Chronicles 6:57

Javan
Effervescing, Ionia, Greece
Strong's #H3120

Javan was the son of Japheth who had survived the great flood along with his two brothers. Research done on Israel's lost tribes by Steven M. Collins suggests that Javan and his descendants eventually migrated to Japan.

Jazer
Helpful, helped
Strong's #H3270

Jazer was a Levitical city within the tribe of Gad's inheritance in the Promised Land.

References
Numbers 32:1, 3, Joshua 13:25, 21:39, 2Samuel 24:5, 1Chronicles 6:81, 26:31, Isaiah 16:8 - 9, Jeremiah 48:32

Jearim
Forests
Strong's #H3297

Jearim was the name of a mount located in the northern part of Judah's territory.

Jebus / Jebusi
Read our dedicated article on this topic.

Jeconiah
Jah (Jehovah) will establish
Strong's #H3204

References
1Chronicles 3:16 - 17, Esther 2:6, Jeremiah 24:1, 27:20, 28:4, 29:2

Jegarsahadutha
Heap of the testimony, witness heap
Strong's #H3026

Jegarsahadutha was the name of a mound of stones raised up as a witness of the covenant made between Jacob and his father-in-law Laban. Although Laban called these stones Jegarsahadutha, Jacob referred to them as Galeed.

Jehoahaz
Jehovah has seized
Strong's #H3059

Jehoahaz was the twelth ruler of the Kingdom of Israel (northern ten tribes). He ruled from 814 to 798 B.C. and was generally considered a bad king.

References
2Kings 10:35, 13:1 - 25, 14:1 - 17, 23:30 - 34, 2Chronicles 21:17, 25:17, 23, 25, 36:1 - 4

Jehoash
Given by the Lord, Jehovah fired
Strong's #H3060

Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz, was the thirteenth ruler over the northern ten tribes of Israel (Kingdom of Israel). His reign, which is considered a bad one, lasted for 16 years (798 to 782 B.C.).

The King James Old Testament erroneous has the name Jehoash in 2Kings 11:21 and 12:1 - 18. The correct name in these places should be Joash who ruled the Kingdom of Judah from Jerusalem between 835 and 796 B.C.

References
2Kings 13:10 - 25, 14:8 - 17

Jehoiachin
Jehovah establishes
Strong's #H3078

Jehoiachin was the next to the last king of Judah before the nation ceased to exist under Babylon's King Nebuchadnezzar. Jehoiachin's three month rule ends in 597 B.C. when Nebuchadnezzar captures him and then places Zedekiah as a puppet king over God's people.

Jehoiakim
Jehovah will raise, Jehovah raises up
Strong's #H3079

Jehoiakim, one of the wicked kings who reigned over the Kingdom of Judah, ruled from 609 to 598 B.C.

References
2Kings 23:34 - 36, 24:1 - 19, 1Chronicles 3:15 - 16, 2Chronicles 36:4 - 8, Jeremiah 1:3, 22:18, etc.

Jehoram
Jehovah is exalted, Jehovah raised
Strong's #H3088

Jehoram, whose father was King Jehoshaphat, was the fifth monarch over the Kingdom of Judah. He ruled from 853 to 841 B.C. Although his father was considered a good king, Jehoram's reign ranks as one of the bad ones.

References
1Kings 22:50, 2Kings 1:17, 3:1, 6, 8:16 - 29, 9:24, 12:18, 2Chronicles 17:8, 21:1 - 16, 22:1 - 11

Jehoshaphat
Jehovah (has) judged
Strong's #H3092

At least five Old Testament people are named Jehoshaphat. The most important of these was the fourth ruler of the Kingdom of Judah. This Jehoshaphat, who ruled from 872 to 848 B.C., is considered one of the good monarchs over God's people.

References
2Samuel 8:16, 20:24, 1Kings 4:3, 17, 15:24, 22:2 - 51, 2Kings 1:17, 3:1 - 14, 8:16, 9:2, 14, 12:18, etc.

Jehoshua
Please see our listing for Joshua.

References
Exodus 6:3, Psalm 83:18, Isaiah 12:2, 26:4

Jehovahjireh
Jehovah sees
Strong's #H3070

Jehovahjireh is the name Abraham gave Mount Moriah after God intervened to stop his sacrifice of Isaac.

References
Genesis 22:14

Jehovahnissi
Jehovah is my banner
Strong's #H3071

Jehovahnissi is the name Moses gave to an altar he built in the desert as the Israelites journeyed in the wilderness.

References
Exodus 17:15 - 16

Jehovahshalom
Jehovah is peace
Strong's #H3073

Jehovahshalom is the name given by Gideon to an altar he built in Ophrah.

References
Judges 6:24

Jehovahshammah
The Lord is there
Strong's #H3068, #H8033

The King James phrase "The Lord is there," found in Ezekiel 48:35, is derived from Jehovahshammah. The prophet used this word to describe the city of Jerusalem he saw in a vision.

Jehovahtsidkenu
The Lord our righteousness
Strong's #H3068, #H6664

Jehovahtsidkenu is the Hebrew name translated as "The Lord our righteousness" in Jeremiah 23:6 and 33:16. The name is used to describe Jesus Christ when he returns to rule the earth and save his people.

References
Jeremiah 23:6, 33:16

Jehu
Jehovah is He
Strong's #H3058

Jehu was the eleventh ruler over the Kingdom of Israel. Ruling from 841 to 814 B.C., he is considered a mostly bad monarch.

Another Jehu, this one the son of Hanani (2Chronicles 20:34), has his writings referenced in the Bible but not included within its pages.

References
1Kings 16:1 - 12, 19:16 - 17, 2Kings 9:2 - 31, 10:1 - 36, 12:1, 13:1, 14:8, 15:12, 1Chronicles 2:38, 4:35, 12:3, 2Chronicles 19:2, 20:34, 22:7 - 9, 25:17, Hosea 1:4

Jehud
Beauty
Strong's #H3055

Jehud was one of the cities given to the tribe of Dan as an inheritance in the Promised Land.

References
Joshua 19:45

Jemima
Day by day, affectionate
Strong's #H3224

Jemima is the name of one of Job's daughters he had after his severe trials had ended and God blessed him.

References
Job 42:14

Jephthah
He will open, he opens
Strong's #H3316

Jephthah saved the people from eighteen oppressive years under the Ammonites. He served as a Judge in Israel from 1087 to 1081 B.C.

Jeremiah
Jah will rise, whom Jehovah has appointed
Strong's #H3414

There are at least nine different men named Jeremiah in the Bible. The most commonly known of these was the major prophet who wrote from between 627 to 585 B.C. Jeremiah's ministry overlapped the last five kings of the Kingdom of Judah (Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin and Zedekiah).

Jericho
Read our dedicated article on this topic.

Jerimoth
Elevations, He is Most High
Strong's #H3406

References
1Chronicles 7:7 - 8, 12:5, 24:30, 25:4, 27:19, 2Chronicles 11:18, 31:13

Jeroboam
People will contend
Strong's #H3379

Jeroboam was the first ruler of the Kingdom of Israel created after King Solomon's death in 930 B.C. He ruled twenty-one years and is generally considered a bad king.

References
1Kings 11:26 - 40, 12:2 - 32, 13:1 - 34, 14:1 - 30, 15:1 - 34, etc.

Jerubbaal
Let Baal contend
Strong's #H3378

Jerubbaal was another name given to Gideon after he destroyed an altar to the pagan god Baal.

Jerusalem
Read our dedicated article on this topic.

Jeshimon
Waste, wilderness, a desolation, solitary, desert
Strong's #H3452

Jeshimon was the name of wilderness site, likely between Hebron and the Dead Sea, where David hid from King Saul. It is also the name of a site, near the mountains of Pisgah and Peor, used as a location marker as Israel wandered the wilderness for forty years.

References
Numbers 21:20, 23:28, 1Samuel 23:19, 24, 26:1, 3

Jesse
Extant, I possess, wealthy
Strong's #H3448, #G2421

Jesse was the son of Obed and grandson of Ruth and Boaz. He had eight sons, one of which was King David, and two daughters. He is often referred to in relation to his famous son.

References
Ruth 4:17, 22, 1Samuel 16:1 - 22, 17:12 - 58, 20:27 - 31, 22:7 - 13, 25:10, 2Samuel 20:1, 23:1, 1Kings 12:16, 1Chronicles 2:12 - 13, 10:14, 12:18, etc.