Boy Old Testament Rare
Jehu
himself who exists
יֵהוּא ye.hu
Jehu (Hebrew: יֵהוּא, ye.hu) means “himself who exists”, by traditional interpretation. Five men in scripture bear the name; the best attested is a king. In 2025 it was given to 31 children in the United States. Around 1,059 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears in the same passages as Abiram.
Which Jehu?
Five men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
-
Jehu
son of Jehoshaphat
-
Jehu
son of Hanani
-
Jehu
-
Jehu
descendant of Judah
-
Jehu
descendant of Simeon; son of Joshibiah
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 54 across 5 books
- Bearers
- 5 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Divided Kingdom
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 31 | Steady |
| All-time total | 1,059 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 35 in 2024 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | TX | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | 1 Kings 16:1 |
| Last appears | Hosea 1:4 |
| Cross-references | 793 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Nimshi co-occurrence Appears with Nimshi in 2 Kings 9.
- Hanani co-occurrence Appears with Hanani in 1 Kings 16.
- Ahaziah co-occurrence Appears with Ahaziah in 2 Chronicles 22.
- Joram co-occurrence Appears with Joram in 2 Kings 9.
- Jehoshaphat co-occurrence Appears with Jehoshaphat in 2 Kings 9.
- Jehoahaz co-occurrence Appears with Jehoahaz in 2 Kings 13.
- Jehoram co-occurrence Appears with Jehoram in 2 Kings 9.
- Jezreel co-occurrence Appears with Jezreel in Hosea 1.
Origin & meaning
A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.12.3
§ Jehu = "Jehovah is He"
1) the king of the northern kingdom Israel who overthrew the dynasty of Omri
2) son of Hanani and an Israelite prophet in the time of Baasha and Jehoshaphat
3) the Antothite, a Benjamite, one of David's mighty warriors
4) a descendant of Judah of the house of Hezron
5) son of Josibiah and a chief of the tribe of Simeon
Jehu was one of the Benjamite archers and slingers who joined David at Ziklag while he was hiding from Saul.
The biblical story
Jehu, a Benjamite warrior, was among the skilled archers and slingers who joined David at Ziklag while he was seeking refuge from King Saul. These warriors, including Jehu, were ambidextrous and could shoot arrows and sling stones with either hand. They pledged their allegiance to David during this time of his exile, demonstrating their support for the future king of Israel.
Key verses
Jehu appears in 1 verse. Here are some of the most notable:
-
The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; and Jeziel, and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth; and Berachah, and Jehu the Antothite,
1 Chronicles 12:3
Show all 1 reference
1 Chronicles (1)
- 1 Chronicles 12:3