a briefer form of one corresponding to יְהוּדlemma יְהיּד yod, corrected to יְהוּד; Jehud, a place in Palestine; Jehud.
Transliteration:Yᵉhud
Pronunciation:yeh-hood'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma `{{H3055}}`, transliterated as *Yᵉhud* (יְהֻד), denotes a specific geographical location, a town in ancient Palestine. According to the provided definition, it is a briefer form of a corresponding term, likely related to יְהוּד (Yehud), which also refers to a place. As a proper noun, its primary semantic function is to identify a unique settlement within the biblical landscape. Unlike verbs or abstract nouns, its meaning is fixed to its identity as a place, without a broad range of applications or metaphorical extensions. Its root, though not explicitly stated for this particular form, likely connects to the verb יָדָה (*yadah*), meaning "to praise" or "to give thanks," a common etymological basis for names in the region, including the tribal name Judah (יְהוּדָה, `{{H3063}}`). However, in the context of `{{H3055}}`, its meaning is solely tied to its designation as a town.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H3055}}` occurs only once in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the book of Joshua.
* **[[Joshua 19:45]]**: "And Jehud, and Bene-berak, and Gath-rimmon,"
This verse is part of the detailed record of the tribal allotments of the land of Canaan after its conquest by Israel. Jehud is listed among the towns allocated to the tribe of Dan. The immediate context is a geographical enumeration, placing Jehud alongside other settlements such as Bene-berak and Gath-rimmon, which were located in the coastal plain or Shephelah region, west of Jerusalem. This area was historically challenging for the tribe of Dan to fully possess due to the presence of the Philistines and other indigenous peoples. The inclusion of Jehud in this list underscores the meticulous nature of the land division and God's faithfulness in providing a specific inheritance for each tribe, even if the full realization of that inheritance proved difficult for some.
### Related Words & Concepts
As a place name, `{{H3055}}` is primarily related to geographical and tribal concepts.
* **Tribal Allotments**: The concept of *nahalah* (נַחֲלָה, `{{H5159}}`), or "inheritance," is central to the book of Joshua, detailing the land assigned to each of the twelve tribes of Israel. Jehud is an integral part of Dan's specific inheritance.
* **Tribe of Dan**: The historical trajectory of the tribe of Dan is closely linked to their challenging inheritance. Their inability to fully secure their initial allotment, which included towns like Jehud, eventually led to their migration northward, as recounted in [[Judges 18]].
* **Place Names**: Jehud is one among hundreds of place names listed in Joshua, all of which serve to delineate the boundaries and specific possessions of the Israelite tribes, fulfilling the divine promise to Abraham.
* **Geographical Proximity**: The towns listed alongside Jehud, such as Bene-berak and Gath-rimmon, help to geographically locate it within the broader ancient Near Eastern landscape, specifically the fertile coastal plain.
### Theological Significance
While `{{H3055}}` refers to a specific, seemingly minor, town, its inclusion in the biblical narrative carries subtle yet profound theological significance:
* **Divine Faithfulness**: The enumeration of towns like Jehud in the tribal allotments serves as a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The land, down to its individual settlements, was meticulously divided as an inheritance for Israel.
* **Divine Order and Providence**: The detailed nature of the land division, overseen by Joshua and Eleazar, highlights God's providential care and the divine order established for His people. Every piece of land, including Jehud, was part of God's specific design for Israel's dwelling.
* **Challenges of Possession**: The location of Jehud within the contested territory of Dan's inheritance implicitly points to the struggles faced by the Israelites in fully possessing the land God had given them. This foreshadows the later narratives in Judges, where the failure to dispossess the inhabitants of these areas leads to spiritual and national decline. Thus, even an obscure place name can serve as a geographical marker for a significant theological theme: the tension between divine promise and human obedience/disobedience.
### Summary
The Hebrew term `{{H3055}}`, *Yᵉhud* (יְהֻד), designates a specific town in ancient Palestine. Occurring uniquely in [[Joshua 19:45]], it is listed as part of the territorial inheritance allotted to the tribe of Dan. As a geographical marker, Jehud underscores the meticulous detail of the land division and God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Israel. Its location within the challenging coastal plain also subtly highlights the struggles faced by the tribe of Dan in fully possessing their inheritance, a theme that resonates throughout the book of Judges. Though a minor place name, Jehud contributes to the grand narrative of God's sovereign provision and the historical unfolding of His divine plan for the people of Israel.
TRV