from דָּלַף; tearful; Jidlaph, a Mesopotamian; Jidlaph.
Transliteration:Yidlâph
Pronunciation:yid-lawf'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word יִדְלָף (Yidlâph), designated by `{{H3044}}`, is a proper noun, specifically a personal name. Its meaning is derived directly from the verbal root דָּלַף (dalaph - `{{H1811}}`), which signifies "to drip," "to leak," or "to flow." When applied to a person's name, as in Yidlâph, it conveys the sense of "tearful," "he drips tears," or "weeping." This etymological connection suggests a characteristic or an inherent state of the individual, implying a propensity for sorrow or lamentation, or perhaps a name given in circumstances involving tears.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Yidlâph (`{{H3044}}`) appears only once in the entire Hebrew Bible, in the book of Genesis.
* [[Genesis 22:22]]: "Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel."
Here, Jidlaph is listed as one of the eight sons born to Nahor, Abraham's brother, by his wife Milcah. This verse is part of a genealogical record that follows the account of Abraham's near-sacrifice of Isaac and precedes the narrative of Isaac's marriage to Rebekah (who is Jidlaph's niece, being the daughter of Bethuel, Jidlaph's brother). In this context, Jidlaph is merely a name within a list, serving to delineate the lineage of Abraham's extended family. The narrative provides no further details about Jidlaph's life, character, or any events that might specifically align with the "tearful" meaning of his name. As is common with names in ancient genealogies, the significance might lie solely in its etymology, reflecting a family's hope, circumstances of birth, or an inherited characteristic, rather than a description of the individual's role in the unfolding divine drama.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word to Yidlâph (`{{H3044}}`) is its root verb, דָּלַף (dalaph - `{{H1811}}`). This root is used in various contexts in the Hebrew Bible:
* In [[Proverbs 19:13]] and [[Proverbs 27:15]], דָּלַף describes a "continual dripping" (of a roof), often associated with the vexation caused by a contentious woman. This imagery emphasizes persistence and annoyance.
* [[Ecclesiastes 10:18]] uses דָּלַף to describe a "leaky house" resulting from idleness, again highlighting a persistent, detrimental outcome.
* In a more positive light, [[Joel 2:24]] uses a related form to describe vats that "overflow" or "drip" with new wine, signifying abundance and blessing.
* Most pertinently to the name Yidlâph, דָּלַף is used in [[Lamentations 3:49]] to describe the eyes "dripping" or "flowing" with tears due to profound sorrow and grief over the destruction of Jerusalem. This usage directly informs the "tearful" meaning of Jidlaph's name.
Conceptually, Yidlâph connects to the broader biblical themes of human emotion, particularly sorrow, lament, and the shedding of tears. Other Hebrew words for tears include דִּמְעָה (dim'ah - `{{H1832}}`), and verbs for weeping such as בָּכָה (bakah - `{{H1058}}`). The concept of "dripping" or "flowing" tears is a powerful biblical motif, expressing deep distress, repentance, or even fervent prayer (e.g., [[Psalm 6:6]]).
### Theological Significance
While Jidlaph himself plays no active role in the biblical narrative beyond his mention in a genealogy, the meaning of his name, "tearful," resonates with significant theological themes.
1. **The Human Condition:** The name Yidlâph serves as a subtle reminder of the human experience of sorrow and lament. The Bible does not shy away from depicting the full spectrum of human emotion, including profound grief. Figures like Job, David, and Jeremiah exemplify lives marked by "dripping tears" (e.g., [[Psalm 6:6]], [[Lamentations 1:16]]).
2. **Divine Empathy and Remembrance:** The Bible frequently portrays God as one who is aware of and responsive to human suffering and tears. [[Psalm 56:8]] famously states, "You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?" This demonstrates God's intimate knowledge and care for the afflicted, suggesting that even "tearful" existences are known and valued by the Creator.
3. **Eschatological Hope:** The theme of tears culminates in the eschatological promise of God wiping away every tear from the eyes of His people in the new heavens and new earth ([[Revelation 7:17]], [[Revelation 21:4]]). The presence of a name like Yidlâph in the sacred text, though seemingly minor, implicitly points to the reality of suffering in this present age, and thereby, to the ultimate hope of its cessation in God's redemptive future. The name, therefore, stands as a quiet testament to the biblical recognition of sorrow and the ultimate divine promise of solace.
### Summary
יִדְלָף (Yidlâph - `{{H3044}}`) is a Hebrew proper noun, a personal name meaning "tearful" or "he drips tears," derived from the root דָּלַף (dalaph - `{{H1811}}`) meaning "to drip" or "to leak." Its sole biblical occurrence is in [[Genesis 22:22]], where Jidlaph is listed as one of Nahor's sons in a genealogy. While the name's meaning is not elaborated upon in the narrative context, it connects Yidlâph to the broader biblical understanding of human emotion, particularly sorrow and lamentation. The concept of "tears" holds significant theological weight, reflecting the reality of human suffering, God's compassionate awareness of it, and the eschatological promise of a future free from sorrow, where every tear will be wiped away. Thus, even a seemingly obscure name like Jidlaph subtly echoes profound biblical truths about the human condition and divine solace.
TRV