Nimshi נִמְשִׁי
Grandfather of Jehu
Who is Nimshi in the Bible?
Nimshi was the grandfather of Jehu, the king of Israel who overthrew the dynasty of Ahab and Jezebel. Though Nimshi himself does not appear as a major character in Scripture, he is remembered primarily through his lineage, as Jehu is repeatedly identified as "the son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi" (2 Kings 9:14, 20; 2 Chronicles 22:7). The prophet Elijah received divine instruction to anoint Jehu as king over Israel (1 Kings 19:16), a commission later fulfilled by Elisha's servant (2 Kings 9:1-10). Jehu's reign was historically significant because he executed God's judgment against the house of Ahab, fulfilling the prophecies spoken against that dynasty. Nimshi's legacy, therefore, is tied to his descendant's pivotal role in Israel's religious and political history.
Biography
Nimshi was the grandfather of Jehu, who became king of Israel (2Ki.9.2). Jehu was often referred to as "the son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi" (2Ki.9.14, 20; 2Ch.22.7). Nimshi's son Jehoshaphat was the father of Jehu. The prophet Elijah was instructed by God to anoint Jehu as king of Israel (1Ki.19.16), a task that was later carried out by Elisha's servant (2Ki.9.1-10). Jehu went on to overthrow the dynasty of Ahab and Jezebel, fulfilling the prophecies against them.
Family
In Scripture
3 biblical books1 Kings 1 verse
- 1 Kings 19:16
"You are also to anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah to succeed you as prophet."
2 Kings 3 verses
- 2 Kings 9:2
"When you arrive, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. Go in, get him away from his companions, and take him to an inner room."
- 2 Kings 9:14
"Thus Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi, conspired against Joram. (Now Joram and all Israel had been defending Ramoth-gilead against Hazael king of Aram,"
- 2 Kings 9:20
"Again the watchman reported, “He reached them, but he is not coming back. And the charioteer is driving like Jehu son of Nimshi—he is driving like a madman!”"
2 Chronicles 1 verse
- 2 Chronicles 22:7
"Ahaziah’s downfall came from God when he went to visit Joram. When Ahaziah arrived, he went out with Joram to meet Jehu son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to destroy the house of Ahab."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | נִמְשִׁי |
Encyclopedia Article
ISBE 1915 (Public Domain)