lemma יִכִין first vowel, corrected to יָכִין; from כּוּן; he (or it) will establish; Jakin, the name of three Israelites and of a temple pillar; Jachin.
Transliteration:Yâkîyn
Pronunciation:yaw-keen'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma יָכִין (Yâkîyn), transliterated as Yâkîyn, is derived from the root `{{H3559}}` (כּוּן, kûn), which conveys the fundamental sense of being firm, standing upright, establishing, preparing, or fixing. As a proper noun, Yâkîyn functions as a Qal imperfect verbal form, meaning "He will establish" or "It will establish." This definition carries a profound theological implication of divine initiation and sustainment. Its semantic range primarily encompasses the idea of divine establishment, permanence, and the secure ordering of things by God. It is used both as a personal name and, most notably, as the name of a significant architectural feature of the Temple.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Yâkîyn appears in the Hebrew Bible in two primary contexts: as a personal name and as the name of a temple pillar.
1. **Temple Pillar:** The most iconic use of Yâkîyn is as the name of one of the two colossal bronze pillars that stood at the porch of Solomon's Temple.
* [[1 Kings 7:21]] states, "And he set up the pillars in the porch of the temple: and he set up the right pillar, and called the name thereof Jachin: and he set up the left pillar, and called the name thereof Boaz."
* [[2 Chronicles 3:17]] reiterates this, "And he reared up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand, and the other on the left; and he called the name of that on the right hand Jachin, and the name of that on the left Boaz."
These pillars, Jachin ("He will establish") and Boaz ("In Him is strength"), were not primarily structural but symbolic. Their names formed a complementary theological statement, signifying that God Himself would establish His temple and His covenant people through His strength. They served as a perpetual declaration of divine faithfulness and the enduring nature of God's presence in Jerusalem.
2. **Personal Names:** Yâkîyn is also found as the name of several Israelites:
* **A Son of Simeon:** He is listed among the sons of Simeon, a tribal founder ([[Genesis 46:10]], [[Exodus 6:15]], [[Numbers 26:12]], [[1 Chronicles 4:24]]). His descendants are referred to as the Jachinites (or Jachinites) in [[Numbers 26:12]].
* **A Priest:** A priest named Jachin is mentioned as the head of the 21st priestly course established by David ([[1 Chronicles 9:10]], [[1 Chronicles 24:17]]).
* **A Priest (Post-Exilic):** Another priest named Jachin, possibly a descendant of the earlier priestly line, is listed among those who returned from the Babylonian exile and settled in Jerusalem ([[Nehemiah 11:10]]).
In these instances, the name likely reflects a parental prayer or hope that God would establish their child, their lineage, or their purpose, underscoring a reliance on divine providence.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of Yâkîyn is enriched by considering its connections to other biblical terms and theological concepts:
* **Root `{{H3559}}` (כּוּן, kûn):** As the foundational root, it is paramount. Other derivatives include `{{H4349}}` (מָכוֹן, makon), meaning "fixed place" or "foundation," and `{{H8610}}` (תְּכוּנָה, tekhunah), referring to "arrangement" or "structure." The pervasive theme is one of stability, preparation, and divine ordination.
* **Boaz (בֹּעַז):** The companion pillar to Jachin. Its name, "In him is strength," forms a powerful theological couplet with Jachin's "He will establish." Together, they declare God's character and the source of His promises' fulfillment.
* **Covenant (בְּרִית, berith):** The concept of God establishing His covenant with Israel is deeply intertwined with the meaning of Yâkîyn. The Temple itself was a physical manifestation of this covenant, and the pillars affirmed the divine commitment to it.
* **Kingdom (מַלְכוּת, malkuth):** The divine establishment of David's kingdom, as promised in the Davidic Covenant ([[2 Samuel 7:12-16]]), resonates with the meaning of Yâkîyn, highlighting God's role in ordaining and sustaining His sovereign rule.
* **Foundation (יְסוֹד, yesod):** The idea of a firm foundation, whether for a building or a promise, is conceptually linked to the establishment implied by Yâkîyn.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of Yâkîyn is profound, particularly in its role as a temple pillar:
* **Divine Faithfulness and Sovereignty:** Yâkîyn primarily declares God's unwavering faithfulness and absolute sovereignty. The name "He will establish" serves as a perpetual reminder that it is God, and God alone, who establishes His dwelling place, His people, His covenant, and His promises. It speaks to divine initiative and the unshakeable nature of God's decrees.
* **Security and Permanence:** In a world characterized by flux and transience, the pillars Jachin and Boaz stood as enduring symbols of the security and permanence provided by God's presence and power. They were not merely architectural elements but prophetic utterances, assuring Israel of God's enduring commitment and the stability of His divine order.
* **God's Presence in the Temple:** The Temple was the very locus of God's presence among His people. Jachin proclaimed that this sacred presence was not a human achievement but divinely established and maintained by God's own will and power, ensuring its sanctity and efficacy.
* **Messianic Implications:** While not directly messianic in its immediate context, the theme of divine establishment finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of the Messiah. Christ is the one through whom God establishes His eternal kingdom and brings to completion all His promises, providing the ultimate and everlasting foundation for His people.
* **Confession of Trust:** As a personal name, Yâkîyn embodies a confession of reliance on divine providence. It reflects a deep-seated trust that God will order and secure the lives and destinies of His servants.
### Summary
Yâkîyn (`{{H3199}}`), meaning "He will establish," is a potent Hebrew term derived from the root `{{H3559}}` (כּוּן), signifying firmness and establishment. Its most prominent biblical manifestation is as the name of one of the two colossal pillars at the entrance of Solomon's Temple, paired with Boaz ("In Him is strength"). This architectural naming was a profound theological declaration, underscoring God's unwavering sovereignty, faithfulness, and His enduring commitment to establish His dwelling place, His covenant, and His people. As a personal name, Yâkîyn reflects a foundational trust in God's power to ordain and sustain. The concept embedded in Yâkîyn consistently points to the divine initiative in securing all that is truly firm and lasting, ultimately highlighting God's eternal purposes and the unshakable nature of His kingdom.
TRV