### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term yâlîyd (`{{H3211}}`) is a masculine noun derived from the verb yâlad (`{{H3205}}`), meaning "to bear, bring forth, beget." At its most fundamental level, yâlîyd denotes "born" or "one who is born." Its semantic range extends to specify the circumstances of birth, often carrying the nuance of being "home-born" or "native-born." This distinction is crucial, as it differentiates individuals born within a particular household (e.g., slaves born into a master's household) or a specific land (e.g., native Israelites) from those acquired through purchase, conquest, or immigration. The word can also simply refer to a "child" or "son" in a general sense, but its more precise usage often highlights the origin or status conferred by birth.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term yâlîyd appears approximately 15 times in the Old Testament, with its meaning often enriched by its immediate context:
* **Household Status:** A prominent usage is in the phrase yâlîyd bayith ("home-born slave" or "born in the house"). In [[Genesis 14:14]], Abraham musters 318 of his "trained men, *born in his house*," to rescue Lot. These individuals, though servants, held a distinct status, being part of the patriarch's extended family unit from birth. Similarly, [[Leviticus 22:11]] states that a priest's "slave, *born in his house*," may eat of the holy food, indicating a level of inclusion and trust not necessarily afforded to purchased slaves. This highlights their integral role and perhaps a deeper bond within the household structure.
* **National Identity:** yâlîyd also signifies "native-born" within the Israelite community. In [[Numbers 15:29]], the law concerning unintentional sin applies "for him who is *native-born* among the people of Israel and for the sojourner who sojourns among them." Here, yâlîyd distinguishes a full member of the covenant community by birthright from a resident alien, emphasizing the privileges and responsibilities inherent in being "born into" the nation of Israel.
* **Figurative and Rhetorical Use:** The word can be employed metaphorically or rhetorically. [[Jeremiah 2:14]] poses the question, "Is Israel a slave? Or is he a *home-born* servant? Why then has he become plunder?" This rhetorical query challenges Israel's status, implying that they should be free and sovereign, not subjugated like a slave or a *yâlîyd* servant born into bondage, prompting reflection on their spiritual apostasy. In [[Psalm 58:3]], a more general sense of "born" is used to describe the inherent nature of the wicked: "The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray as soon as they are *born*." Here, yâlîyd underscores the concept of innate depravity or a tendency towards sin from the earliest moments of existence.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding yâlîyd is enhanced by examining its relationship with other Hebrew terms:
* **yâlad (`{{H3205}}`):** The root verb from which yâlîyd is derived. yâlad encompasses the entire process of bearing, begetting, and giving birth. yâlîyd is the passive participle, signifying the result: "one who has been born."
* **ben (`{{H1121}}`):** This is the general term for "son" or "child." While yâlîyd can sometimes be translated as "son," ben is far more common and lacks the specific nuance of being "home-born" or "native-born" that yâlîyd often carries. yâlîyd specifies *how* or *where* one became a child (by birth within a particular context), whereas ben simply states the relationship.
* **'eved (`{{H5650}}`):** Meaning "servant" or "slave." yâlîyd often qualifies 'eved when referring to a slave born within the household, as opposed to one purchased or captured. This distinction was significant in ancient legal and social structures.
* **Concepts:** The word relates to broader biblical concepts such as lineage, inheritance, covenant membership, household economy, and the status of individuals within a community or family unit. It speaks to the significance of origin and birthright in ancient Israelite society.
### Theological Significance
The theological implications of yâlîyd are multifaceted:
* **Covenant Inclusion and Distinction:** The distinction between the yâlîyd (native-born) Israelite and the sojourner in [[Numbers 15:29]] highlights the unique status of those "born into" God's covenant people. While the sojourner could participate, the yâlîyd represented the continuity and inheritance of the covenant promises through generations. This underscores the concept of being "born of Israel" as a foundational aspect of identity within the Old Covenant.
* **Abraham's Household and God's Expansive Plan:** The inclusion of Abraham's yâlîyd servants in the covenant of circumcision ([[Genesis 17:12-13]]) demonstrates God's expansive view of the "household" that would participate in His promises. These individuals, though not direct descendants, were brought into the covenant community through their birth within Abraham's sphere of influence, prefiguring a broader inclusion beyond strict biological lines.
* **The Nature of Humanity:** In [[Psalm 58:3]], yâlîyd contributes to the biblical understanding of human fallenness. The statement that the wicked "go astray as soon as they are *born*" points to an inherent inclination towards sin, a theological truth foundational to doctrines of original sin and the need for divine grace. It suggests that sin is not merely an acquired behavior but a condition present from birth.
* **Spiritual Freedom vs. Bondage:** Jeremiah's rhetorical question in [[Jeremiah 2:14]] uses yâlîyd to highlight Israel's spiritual decline. By acting like "home-born servants" (slaves), they had forfeited their divinely ordained freedom as God's chosen people. This implicitly points to the need for repentance and a return to their true identity as a people liberated by God, foreshadowing the ultimate spiritual freedom offered through the Messiah.
### Summary
yâlîyd (`{{H3211}}`) is a rich Hebrew term primarily meaning "born," but often carrying the significant nuance of "home-born" or "native-born." Derived from yâlad (`{{H3205}}`), it precisely describes one's origin and the status conferred by birth within a specific household or community. Contextual analysis reveals its application to household servants, distinguishing them from purchased slaves, and to native Israelites, differentiating them from sojourners. Theologically, yâlîyd illuminates concepts of covenant membership, the breadth of God's redemptive plan through Abraham's household, the pervasive nature of human sin from birth, and the call for God's people to live in the freedom of their divine calling rather than in spiritual bondage. It is a word that speaks to identity, belonging, and inherent nature within the biblical narrative.
TRV