Jehu

Jehu is a masculine name of Hebrew origin, primarily known from the Old Testament. The name means "Yahweh is he," derived from the elements yeho, referring to the Hebrew God, and hu, meaning "he." Its biblical forms include Yehu (Biblical Hebrew), Iou (Biblical Greek), and Hieu (Biblical Latin).

Biblical Figures

Jehu is the name of two distinct figures in the Old Testament. The most prominent is Jehu, son of Jehoshaphat (and grandson of Nimshi), who became the tenth king of the northern Kingdom of Israel. His reign is typically dated to the 9th century BCE (c. 841–814 BCE according to E. R. Thiele, or 842–815 BCE per William F. Albright). According to the biblical narrative in 2 Kings, Jehu was anointed king by a disciple of the prophet Elisha. He then overthrew the reigning king, Jehoram (also called Joram), and exterminated the entire house of Ahab, including Jezebel. The dynasty of Jehu is mentioned in Neo-Assyrian records (the "Black Obelisk" from the reign of Shalmaneser III), where Jehu is referred to as "Yaua, son of Omri," though this may indicate his predecessor, not his actual lineage. The second Jehu is a prophet who lived during the time of King Baasha of Israel (10th century BCE), as recorded in 1 Kings 16:1-4.

Old Testament Context

Jehu's rise to power is a key episode in the prophetic history of Israel. He was anointed to execute judgment on the house of Ahab for their idolatry and injustice, and his reign marked a period of political change, but the Bible notes that he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam. In the Old Testament, the name Jehu (Hebrew: יֵהוּא, Yēhūʾ) is a theophoric name emphasizing the sovereignty of God, fitting for a king whose mission was to purge the land of Baal worship.

Usage

The name Jehu appears in the Bible meaning genealogy and regnal accounts. While used historically, it is rarely bestowed in modern times, and is mostly encountered in religious or historical contexts. It does, however, appear as a rare given name in some regions.

• Meaning: "Yahweh is He"
• Origin: Hebrew
• Type: Biblical royal name
• Usage regions: English-speaking countries (via Bible)
• Note: Commonly used as a first name in Christian contexts, often representing loyalty to God and reformers