### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term yillôwd (`{{H3209}}`) is a passive participle derived from the verb yalad (`{{H3205}}`), meaning "to bear, bring forth, or beget." As a passive form, yillôwd signifies "one who is born" or "that which has been brought forth." Its core meaning emphasizes the state or result of having been born, rather than the active process of giving birth. This passive construction highlights the recipient of the act of birth, underscoring the fact that one does not *cause* their own birth but *receives* it. The semantic range is therefore quite narrow, focusing exclusively on the status of being born into existence, often with implications for lineage or group identity.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term yillôwd (`{{H3209}}`) appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times within the book of Numbers and in highly specific contexts related to the census of the Levites.
1. **[[Numbers 3:28]]**: "And the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, were eight thousand six hundred, keeping the charge of the sanctuary." Here, yillôwd is used to specify the age group of the Levite males being counted: "from a month old and upward." The phrase "from a month old" (literally "from a son of a month") is clarified by yillôwd, indicating those who have *been born* and reached at least one month of age. This precise demographic detail was crucial for their inclusion in the census for service in the Tabernacle.
2. **[[Numbers 26:62]]**: "And those that were numbered of them were twenty and three thousand, all males from a month old and upward: for they were not numbered among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel." Similar to the previous instance, yillôwd again defines the counted population of Levite males as those who have *been born* and are at least a month old. This verse reiterates their unique status: though counted separately, they were distinct from the other tribes who received territorial inheritance. Their identity and role were determined by their birth into the tribe of Levi and subsequent consecration to Yahweh's service, rather than by land ownership.
In both occurrences, yillôwd functions as a precise demographic marker, emphasizing that inclusion in the Levite census, and thus eligibility for sacred service, was determined by birth and age, not by personal choice or achievement. It underscores the concept of a divinely ordained lineage for a specific purpose.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary lexical connection for yillôwd (`{{H3209}}`) is its root verb, yalad (`{{H3205}}`), "to bear, bring forth, or beget." This root is foundational to many concepts related to family, lineage, and generation in the Bible. Other significant derivatives and related concepts include:
* yeled (`{{H3206}}`): "child, boy," referring to the product of birth.
* yalduwth (`{{H3208}}`): "childhood," denoting a period of life subsequent to birth.
* yaldah (`{{H3187}}`): "girl," the feminine form of yeled.
* **Lineage and Genealogy:** The concept of being "born" is intrinsically linked to one's ancestry and tribal affiliation, which was of paramount importance in ancient Israelite society, especially concerning promises, blessings, and responsibilities.
* **Covenant Community:** Birth into a particular family or tribe determined one's place within the broader covenant community of Israel. For the Levites, being "born" (yillôwd) into that tribe uniquely defined their sacred role.
* **Divine Providence:** The passive nature of yillôwd implicitly points to a higher power that orchestrates birth and life, aligning with the biblical understanding of God's sovereignty over creation and human existence.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of yillôwd (`{{H3209}}`) lies primarily in its subtle but profound implications regarding divine sovereignty, the nature of calling, and the importance of lineage within God's redemptive plan.
1. **Divine Sovereignty in Life:** The passive voice of yillôwd emphasizes that birth is not an act of human will but a divine gift. One is "born" (passive), highlighting God as the ultimate giver of life and the orchestrator of human existence. This aligns with passages that affirm God's intimate involvement in forming individuals in the womb (e.g., [[Psalm 139:13-16]]).
2. **Calling by Birth:** In the specific context of the Levites, yillôwd signifies that their unique role and sacred duties were not chosen by them but were a consequence of their birth into a divinely designated tribe. This illustrates a principle of divine election and calling that can be established from the very beginning of one's life, setting apart individuals or groups for specific purposes within God's covenant. Their service was not earned but inherited by divine decree.
3. **Identity and Purpose:** Being "born" (yillôwd) into the Levite tribe meant a distinct identity and a specific purpose: to serve the Lord directly, without a territorial inheritance among the other tribes. This underscores the theological concept that one's origin, particularly within God's chosen people, can define one's destiny and function within the divine economy. It speaks to the idea of a people "set apart" by divine decree, even from birth.
### Summary
Yillôwd (`{{H3209}}`) is a specialized Hebrew term, a passive participle from the verb yalad (`{{H3205}}`), meaning "one who is born." Its limited but significant occurrences in [[Numbers 3:28]] and [[Numbers 26:62]] are exclusively tied to the census of the Levites, specifically defining those "from a month old and upward" who were eligible for service. The word's passive nature underscores that birth is a received state, highlighting God's sovereignty as the giver of life. Theologically, yillôwd points to the concept of divine calling and purpose established from birth, particularly evident in the Levites' inherited role of sacred service. It emphasizes that identity and function within God's covenant community can be determined by divine design and lineage, rather than personal choice or achievement.
TRV