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יָחַשׂ

𐤉𐤇𐤔

yâchas

H3187 verb

SILEX Entry

Root יחשׂ to trace lineage, to enroll by genealogy, to register family descent

Definition

To record or trace descent in a genealogical list, or to be enrolled or registered by lineage. Used specifically for systematizing or validating kinship by listing or reckoning individuals according to family or clan records. May also carry the sense of being included in an official register of ancestry, often in administrative or priestly contexts.

Semantic Range

to be enrolled in a genealogy, to register descent, to be listed by family or clan, to be ascribed by pedigree, to reckon ancestral status, to be included in an official lineal record

Root / Etymology

From the root יחשׂ, which in its core form relates to recording or reckoning lineage. The verbal form derives from the noun יַחַשׂ (register, pedigree, genealogy), and functions denominatively to indicate the act of drawing up a genealogy, registering by descent, or ascertaining familial status. The semantic development is from the core idea of 'tracing or organizing descent.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

יָחַשׂ is found primarily in later biblical texts, especially in genealogical and administrative sections during the post-exilic and Persian periods (e.g. Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles), reflecting increased emphasis on kinship verification, especially for temple service and land inheritance. While English translations often render it as 'to reckon by genealogy' or 'to enroll,' such translations can obscure the word's function in maintaining socio-religious structure. The verb rarely appears in earlier periods, suggesting its use is linked to societal needs for detailed kinship records, especially after the return from exile, when proving ancestry was crucial for priestly and Levitical status. In later periods, the process of יָחַשׂ becomes a critical mechanism of communal identity and eligibility, distinguishing between those who could or could not assume official roles or claim land. The nuance is more administrative than generic, contrasting with broader verbs for 'counting' or 'remembering' (e.g. זכר or ספר).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to sprout; used only as denominative from יַחַשׂ; to enroll by pedigree; (number after, number throughout the) genealogy (to be reckoned), be reckoned by genealogies.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

יחשׂ (y-ḥ-ś) — to trace lineage, to enroll by genealogy, to register family descent

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3187-08 וְ/הִתְיַחְשָׂ֑/ם vehiteyachesam HC/Vtc/Sp3mp and their genealogy and their registering-themselves by genealogy 5
H3187-03 הִתְיַחֵ֥שׂ hiteyaches HVtc were reckoned to enroll oneself by lineage 3
H3187-04 הִתְיַחְשָׂ֖/ם hiteyachesam HVtc/Sp3mp their genealogy their self-enrolling by lineage 3
H3187-06 לְ/הִתְיַחֵ֑שׂ lehiteyaches HR/Vtc concerning genealogies to register oneself by lineage 3
H3187-02 הַ/מִּתְיַחְשִׂ֖ים hamiteyachesim HTd/Vtrmpa the genealogies the ones registering themselves by lineage 2
H3187-05 הִתְיַחְשׂ֔וּ hiteyachesu HVtp3cp were reckoned by genealogies they enrolled themselves by lineage 2
H3187-01 בְּ/הִתְיַחֵ֖שׂ behiteyaches HR/Vtc when genealogy was taken in enrolling oneself by lineage 1
H3187-07 וּ/לְ/הִתְיַחֵ֗שׂ ulehiteyaches HC/R/Vtc and-to-the-genealogy to enroll oneself by lineage 1

Occurrences in Scripture

20 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3187-02 Ezra 2:62 הַ/מִּתְיַחְשִׂ֖ים hamiteyachesim HTd/Vtrmpa the genealogies the ones registering themselves by lineage
H3187-08 Ezra 8:1 וְ/הִתְיַחְשָׂ֑/ם vehiteyachesam HC/Vtc/Sp3mp and-their-genealogy and their registering-themselves by genealogy
H3187-03 Ezra 8:3 הִתְיַחֵ֥שׂ hiteyaches HVtc were reckoned to enroll oneself by lineage
H3187-06 Nehemiah 7:5 לְ/הִתְיַחֵ֑שׂ lehiteyaches HR/Vtc to be enrolled by genealogy to register oneself by lineage
H3187-02 Nehemiah 7:64 הַ/מִּתְיַחְשִׂ֖ים hamiteyachesim HTd/Vtrmpa the genealogies the ones registering themselves by lineage
H3187-08 1 Chronicles 4:33 וְ/הִתְיַחְשָׂ֖/ם vehiteyachesam HC/Vtc/Sp3mp and their genealogy and their registering-themselves by genealogy
H3187-06 1 Chronicles 5:1 לְ/הִתְיַחֵ֖שׂ lehiteyaches HR/Vtc to be enrolled to register oneself by lineage
H3187-01 1 Chronicles 5:7 בְּ/הִתְיַחֵ֖שׂ behiteyaches HR/Vtc when genealogy was taken in enrolling oneself by lineage
H3187-05 1 Chronicles 5:17 הִתְיַחְשׂ֔וּ hiteyachesu HVtp3cp were reckoned by genealogies they enrolled themselves by lineage
H3187-04 1 Chronicles 7:5 הִתְיַחְשָׂ֖/ם hiteyachesam HVtc/Sp3mp were-genealogized their self-enrolling by lineage
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