### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word H3133 (יוֹעֵד, *Yôwʻêd*) is a proper noun, a personal name. Its base definition indicates it is "apparently the active participle of `{{H3259}}` יָעַד (ya'ad)," meaning "appointer." The root verb `{{H3259}}` carries the core semantic range of "to appoint, to designate, to fix a time or place, to meet by appointment." Therefore, the name *Yôwʻêd* inherently signifies "one who appoints" or, by extension, "one who has been appointed" or "Yahweh appoints," reflecting a common practice in Hebrew onomastics where names convey a theological truth or a descriptive quality. While the direct definition points to an active sense, the broader context of divine action in appointment is often implicit in such names.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name *Yôwʻêd* occurs only once in the Hebrew Bible, found in a post-exilic genealogical list within the book of Nehemiah:
* [[Nehemiah 11:7]]: "And these are the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jeshaiah."
In this sole occurrence, Joed is identified as an ancestor in the lineage of Benjaminite families who resided in Jerusalem after the return from Babylonian exile. The context is purely genealogical, providing no narrative details about Joed himself, his actions, or his character. His significance in this passage is primarily as a link in the historical and tribal continuity of Israel, particularly among those who resettled Jerusalem. The listing underscores the importance of lineage and tribal identity in the post-exilic community.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the verbal root `{{H3259}}` יָעַד (ya'ad), from which *Yôwʻêd* is derived. This root is foundational to several significant theological concepts:
* **Appointment and Designation:** `{{H3259}}` is frequently used to describe God's act of appointing times, places, or individuals for specific purposes. For instance, God appoints a place for the ark ([[Exodus 25:22]]) or designates a time for an event ([[Genesis 18:14]]).
* **Meeting and Assembly:** A prominent derivative of `{{H3259}}` is `{{H4150}}` מוֹעֵד (*môʻēd*), meaning "appointed time," "appointed place," or "assembly." This term is famously used for the "appointed feasts" (e.g., [[Leviticus 23:2]]) and the "Tent of Meeting" (אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד, *’ōhel môʻēd*), where God met with His people.
* **Covenant and Promise:** The concept of appointment often connects to God's covenantal promises and His faithfulness in fulfilling them at a designated time.
Thus, while *Yôwʻêd* is a proper name, it echoes a rich theological vocabulary concerning divine purpose, order, and interaction with humanity.
### Theological Significance
Despite its singular appearance as a proper noun with no accompanying narrative, the theological significance of *Yôwʻêd* lies primarily in its etymological roots. The name, meaning "appointer" or "one appointed," serves as a subtle reminder of several profound biblical truths:
1. **Divine Sovereignty and Providence:** Hebrew names often carried deep meaning, reflecting the circumstances of birth, parental hopes, or a theological statement. If *Yôwʻêd* implies "Yahweh appoints," it underscores God's active role in ordaining individuals, their lineage, and their place within His redemptive plan. Even in a seemingly mundane genealogical list, the names can silently proclaim God's providential ordering of history and His people.
2. **The Significance of Names:** In ancient Israel, names were not mere labels but encapsulated identity and destiny. The name Joed, by its very meaning, points to the broader biblical theme of divine calling and designation. Every individual, even those merely listed in a genealogy, holds a place within God's larger design.
3. **Continuity of God's Plan:** The appearance of Joed in a post-exilic genealogy connects the returned community to their ancestral roots, reinforcing the idea that God's covenant promises and His appointments span generations, ensuring the continuity of His people and His purposes through history.
### Summary
*Yôwʻêd* (`{{H3133}}`) is a Hebrew proper noun, a personal name meaning "appointer," derived from the verb `{{H3259}}` יָעֵד (ya'ad), "to appoint" or "to designate." It appears only once in [[Nehemiah 11:7]], identifying an ancestor in a Benjaminite lineage residing in post-exilic Jerusalem. While the individual Joed has no narrative attached, his name's etymology subtly points to the profound biblical themes of divine sovereignty, God's providential appointment of individuals and events, and the enduring significance of names in conveying theological truth. It connects to broader concepts like the "appointed times" (`{{H4150}}` מוֹעֵד) and the "Tent of Meeting," emphasizing God's orderly and purposeful interaction with His creation and His people.
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