Meaning & History
Jehoram is a theophoric name of Hebrew origin appearing in the Old Testament. It is derived from the Hebrew name יְהוֹרָם (Yehoram), meaning "exalted by Yahweh", from elements יְהוֹ (yeho) referring to the Hebrew God and רוּם (rum) meaning "to exalt." The shorter form Joram is a variant.
Historical Context
In the Old Testament, Jehoram is a name borne by two biblical kings who ruled contemporaneously in the 9th century BC. One was the king of Israel, also known as Joram, who reigned while the prophet Elisha was active. The other was a king of Judah, the son of Jehoshaphat, who reigned for eight years and is noted for implementing religious reforms.
Cultural Significance
The name Jehoram reflects the importance of Yahweh in Hebrew naming conventions, where divine praise and attributes were common elements. Adopted into English via biblical translations, it is used primarily in religious contexts.
Related Forms
Cognates in other languages include the Biblical Hebrew YehORAM, the Hebrew YorAm, and the Biblical Latin IORAM.
- Meaning: Exalted by Yahweh
- Origin: Hebrew
- Type: Theophoric name
- Usage regions: English Bible