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Jamin

biblical_proper_name theological_term standard

Jamin is a biblical personal name borne by several men in the Old Testament, including a son of Simeon. It is a proper name rather than a theological term.

At a Glance

A biblical proper name borne by several men in the Old Testament, especially a son of Simeon in Israel’s genealogies.

Key Points

Description

Jamin is a Hebrew personal name found in several Old Testament passages. The most notable Jamin is listed as a son of Simeon in the patriarchal and tribal genealogies (Gen. 46:10; Ex. 6:15; Num. 26:12; 1 Chr. 4:24). The name also appears for other individuals in Israel’s later records, including a Levite named Jamin in Nehemiah 8:7. Scripture does not attach a distinct doctrine to the name itself; its importance is historical, genealogical, and covenantal in the sense that it helps trace the people and tribes of Israel. This entry should therefore be treated as a biblical proper name rather than a theological term.

Biblical Context

In the Old Testament, Jamin appears in lists that preserve family lines, tribal identity, and the continuity of Israel’s covenant history. The best-known Jamin is a son of Simeon, while another bearer of the name appears among the Levites in Nehemiah 8:7.

Historical Context

Biblical genealogies and community lists often preserve repeated personal names. Jamin is one such name, appearing in settings that help identify tribal ancestry and postexilic community roles.

Jewish and Ancient Context

Ancient Israelite naming often reflected family continuity and social identity. A repeated name like Jamin would not normally signal a shared theological meaning, but simply multiple individuals bearing the same personal name.

Primary Key Texts

Secondary Key Texts

Original Language Note

From Hebrew יָמִין (Yāmîn), probably meaning “right hand” or “south.”

Theological Significance

Jamin itself carries no distinct doctrinal teaching. Its value is mainly in the biblical record of Israel’s families, tribes, and covenant history.

Philosophical Explanation

This entry illustrates the difference between a word as a doctrinal concept and a word as a proper name. Here, the biblical usage is primarily referential and genealogical, not conceptual.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not build doctrine from the name itself. Because the same personal name can belong to more than one individual, context must determine which Jamin is in view.

Major Views

There is no major doctrinal debate attached to the name. The only interpretive issue is identifying which biblical Jamin a passage refers to.

Doctrinal Boundaries

Jamin should be treated as a proper name, not as a symbol for a doctrine, office, or theological category.

Practical Significance

Even lesser-known names in Scripture remind readers that God preserves real people, real families, and real history. Genealogical details help anchor the biblical storyline in concrete covenant history.

Related Entries

See Also

Data

Machine-readable JSON for Jamin

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