3439. Yeshochayah
Lexical Summary
Yeshochayah: "Yahweh is Salvation and Life"

Original Word: יְשׁוֹחָיָה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Yshowchayah
Pronunciation: yeh-sho-khah-yah
Phonetic Spelling: (yesh-o-khaw-yaw')
KJV: Jeshoaiah
NASB: Jeshohaiah
Word Origin: [from the same as H3445 (יֶשַׁח - vileness) and H3050 (יָהּ - LORD)]

1. Jah will empty
2. Jeshochajah, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Jeshoaiah

From the same as yeshach and Yahh; Jah will empty; Jeshochajah, an Israelite -- Jeshoaiah.

see HEBREW yeshach

see HEBREW Yahh

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from shachach and Yah
Definition
a Simeonite
NASB Translation
Jeshohaiah (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
[יְשׁוֺחָיָה] proper name, masculine in Simeon (meaning ?); — ׳וִישׁ 1 Chronicles 4:36; Ιασουια, Ιεσουια

Topical Lexicon
Appearance in Scripture

Jeshohaiah is named once, in 1 Chronicles 4:36, within the register of Simeonite clan heads.

Tribal and Genealogical Context

A descendant of Simeon, Jeshohaiah stands alongside twelve other chiefs whose families traced their line through Shaul and Shimei (1 Chronicles 4:24–37). Because Simeon’s allotted towns lay inside Judah’s territory (Joshua 19:1–9), the tribe’s history is often overshadowed by Judah. The Chronicler’s notice shows that Simeon retained its distinct identity and produced capable leaders generations after the conquest.

Historical Setting

The narrative places Jeshohaiah and his peers “in the days of King Hezekiah of Judah” (1 Chronicles 4:41). Around the eighth century B.C., rapid population growth left Simeonite shepherds searching for fresh grazing land. Jeshohaiah joined an expedition southward to the entrance of Gedor and toward Seir, where they found “lush and good pasture, and the land was spacious, peaceful, and quiet” (1 Chronicles 4:40). To secure the territory they struck the Hamites and Meunites who remained there, “devoted them to destruction,” and settled the region (4:41).

Leadership Role and Contributions

The Chronicler calls Jeshohaiah and his companions “leaders in their families” whose households “increased greatly” (1 Chronicles 4:38). Their responsibilities included:
• Guiding a significant migration and protecting a large pastoral economy.
• Conducting military action that removed ongoing pagan influence from Judah’s frontier.
• Cooperating with Hezekiah’s broader reforms, reinforcing national security in the south while the king faced Assyrian pressure in the north.

Although Scripture does not single out Jeshohaiah’s personal exploits, listing him among these commanders affirms his standing as a man of courage, administrative skill, and covenant loyalty.

Spiritual Lessons

1. Stewardship of God’s provision: Seeking and securing pasture illustrates diligence in caretaking what the Lord entrusts (compare John 10:3–4).
2. Obedience in conflict: Their decisive action against entrenched idolatry models uncompromising fidelity to God’s holiness (Deuteronomy 7:2).
3. Humble prominence: Jeshohaiah’s name is preserved though his deeds are not elaborated, teaching that God values faithfulness over fame (Hebrews 6:10).
4. Generational faith: The detailed genealogy stresses the continuity of covenant commitment through the centuries (Psalm 145:4).

Applications for Ministry

• Local leadership matters. Just as Jeshohaiah protected and provided for Simeonite families, elders and ministry leaders must guard and nourish their congregations (Acts 20:28–31).
• Growth requires initiative. The move to Gedor reminds believers that expansion—whether planting churches or opening new ministries—demands prayerful planning and courage (Matthew 28:19–20).
• Unity with wider authority. Working under Hezekiah illustrates cooperation between local initiatives and national leadership; modern ministries thrive when aligned with the broader body of Christ (Ephesians 4:16).

Summary

Jeshohaiah, though mentioned only once, exemplifies the quiet yet critical leadership that advances God’s purposes. His role in securing new territory for Simeon during Hezekiah’s reign demonstrates faithful stewardship, courageous action, and enduring covenant commitment—qualities still essential for God’s people today.

Forms and Transliterations
וִ֠ישׁוֹחָיָה וישוחיה Vishochayah wî·šō·w·ḥā·yāh wîšōwḥāyāh
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Chronicles 4:36
HEB: וְאֶלְיוֹעֵינַ֡י וְֽיַעֲקֹ֡בָה וִ֠ישׁוֹחָיָה וַעֲשָׂיָ֧ה וַעֲדִיאֵ֛ל
NAS: Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah,
KJV: and Jaakobah, and Jeshohaiah, and Asaiah,
INT: and Elioenai Jaakobah Jeshohaiah Asaiah Adiel

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 3439
1 Occurrence


wî·šō·w·ḥā·yāh — 1 Occ.

3438
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