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יֶרַח

𐤉𐤓𐤇

Yerach

H3392 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ירח moon, month, cycle

Definition

Yerach is a personal name referring to an individual listed as a descendant of Joktan in the genealogies of Genesis 10:26 and 1 Chronicles 1:20. The name likely means 'moon,' reflecting the apparent meaning of its underlying noun, though as a proper name it functions as an identifying designation rather than carrying literal meaning in usage.

Semantic Range

proper name (individual in Joktanite genealogy), moon, month (in other contexts)

Root / Etymology

From the Hebrew root ירח, which means 'moon' or 'month.' The form יֶרַח (yerach) is more commonly used as a noun in Biblical Hebrew meaning 'moon' or 'month.' In this context it is used as a personal name. The name may reference a lunar deity, lunar cycle, or carry connotations of the moon as a significant marker.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Yerach appears only in genealogical lists of early Genesis and 1 Chronicles, where he is identified as a descendant of Joktan, understood as a progenitor of certain southern Arabian peoples. The name reflects a common ancient Near Eastern practice of naming individuals after celestial bodies, indicating possible cultural or religious significance attached to the moon. In these contexts, the English Bible often renders the name as Jerah, closely reflecting the Hebrew vocalization. The use of the term as a personal name is distinct from its more common meaning, 'moon' or 'month.' There is no evidence that the bearer of this name in the genealogical lists was a central figure in narrative or that the name was used for the broader populace. Later Jewish tradition and English Bibles sometimes use 'Jerah,' but this is simply a transliteration and not a title or generic term. The matter of the name's meaning is separate from any historic or narrative significance, being primarily of onomastic interest in these texts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

the same as יֶרַח; Jerach, an Arabian patriarch; Jerah.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ירח (y-r-ḥ) — moon, month, cycle

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3386 יָרוֹחַ Moon-born
H3391 יֶרַח in lunar-month-of
H3393 יְרַח lunar month of
H3394 יָרֵחַ the moon
H3398 יַרְחָע moon

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3392-01 יָֽרַח yarach HNp Jerah Yerach 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3392-01 Genesis 10:26 יָֽרַח yarach HNp Jerah Yerach
H3392-01 1 Chronicles 1:20 יָֽרַח yarach HNp Jerah Yerach
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