Jochebed is a female given name used in English translations of the Bible. It is derived from the Hebrew name יוֹכֶבֶד (Yōḵeveḏ), which means "Yahweh is glory," from the elements yo, referring to the Hebrew God, and kavaḏ (כָּבַד), meaning "to be glorious" or "to be heavy, weighty" (hence, to be honored). Biblical Figure In the Old Testament, Jochebed is the mother of Miriam, Aaron, and Moses. According to Exodus 6:20, she was the daughter of Levi and wife of Amram (who was also her nephew). The story of Moses's birth is recounted in Exodus 2:1–10, although Jochebed is not named there. To save her infant son from Pharaoh's decree that all Hebrew baby boys be thrown into the Nile, she placed Moses in a papyrus basket and set it adrift on the river. The basket was discovered by Pharaoh's daughter, who adopted the child. Jochebed even served as Moses's wet nurse after the princess unknowingly hired her. In Jewish and Christian Tradition Jewish legend holds that Jochebed is buried in the Tomb of the Matriarchs in Tiberias. In the New Testament, the Epistle to the Hebrews (11:23) praises her faith in God: "By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict." Linguistic and Cultural Notes Jochebed is the standard English form of the Hebrew name Yōḵeveḏ; the modern Hebrew transliteration is Yocheved. The name highlights the theophoric element yo, a shortened form of the divine name Yahweh, of which the exact pronunciation is debated. The related root Yahweh appears in many biblical names, emphasizing God's glory and sovereignty. Meaning: "Yahweh is glory" Origin: Hebrew Type: Biblical first name Usage regions: English-speaking world (via Bible translations) Notable relatives: Miriam, Aaron, Moses