The Hebrew name Yôwçiphyâh, represented by H3131, means "Jah (is) adding". It appears only 1 time across 1 unique verse in the Bible. This name is used to identify a specific Israelite, Josiphiah.
The single appearance of Josiphiah occurs within a genealogical record in the book of Ezra. He is mentioned as the ancestor of one of the family leaders who returned from the Babylonian exile with Ezra. The text states, "And of the sons of Shelomith; the son of Josiphiah, and with him an hundred and threescore males" Ezra 8:10. In this context, Josiphiah serves as a genealogical marker, identifying a family line that was part of the restoration of Israel.
Several related words in the passage help to establish the context of Josiphiah's identity:
- H8019 Shᵉlômîyth (peaceableness; Shelomith): This name identifies the larger clan from which Josiphiah's family came. The name Shelomith appears in other priestly and Levitical genealogies, such as among the sons of Izhar 1 Chronicles 23:18.
- H1121 bên (a son): This word clarifies the generational link between Josiphiah and the unnamed descendant who led the family group back to Jerusalem. This term is fundamental to establishing lineage, as seen when the Israelites are called the "sons of Jacob" Malachi 3:6.
- H2145 zâkâr (a male): This specifies that the one hundred and sixty people returning with Josiphiah's son were all males. The word is used throughout scripture to distinguish gender, from the creation account Genesis 1:27 to requirements for offerings Leviticus 1:3.
The significance of H3131 is found primarily in the meaning of the name itself, especially in its historical context.
- A Name of Divine Action: The name Josiphiah is a statement of faith, meaning "Jah (is) adding." It reflects a belief in God's power to increase, restore, and add to His people.
- Context of Restoration: Occurring in the list of those returning from exile Ezra 8:10, the name's meaning is powerfully illustrated. God was literally "adding" people back to the land of Israel, fulfilling His promise to restore the remnant of His people.
- Genealogical Hope: By recording Josiphiah's lineage as part of the return, the scripture highlights God's faithfulness to preserve specific family lines through judgment and bring them back into the fold of the nation.
In summary, Yôwçiphyâh H3131 is more than just a name in a list. Though mentioned only once, its meaning, "Jah (is) adding," is deeply connected to its biblical context. It belongs to a man whose family was part of the physical return to Jerusalem, an event that embodied God's faithfulness to increase and restore His people. The name serves as a subtle but powerful reminder of the theme of divine restoration that runs through the book of Ezra.
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