The Hebrew word Yᵉmîynîy, represented by H3228, is a patronymic term meaning Jaminites. It appears 1 times across 1 unique verses in the Bible. The word is derived from the proper name Jamin and is used collectively to denote his descendants or the family clan that originated from him.
The sole use of H3228 is found within a genealogical list in the book of Numbers. During a census of the Israelite tribes, the term is used to specifically identify one of the family groups within the tribe of Simeon. The text states, "of Jamin, the family of the Jaminites" Numbers 26:12, clearly marking this clan as the descendants of Jamin, one of Simeon's sons.
Several related words provide the genealogical context necessary to understand this term:
- H3226 Yâmîyn (Jamin): This is the proper name of the individual from whom the Jaminites descended. Jamin is listed as one of the sons of Simeon who came into Egypt Genesis 46:10.
- H8095 Shimʻôwn (Simeon): This is the name of Jacob's son who was the patriarch of the tribe to which the Jaminite family belonged. The census in which the Jaminites are mentioned is a record of the families of Simeon Numbers 26:12.
- H4940 mishpâchâh (family, kind-red): This word, translated as "family" or "kindreds," is the term used to classify the Jaminites as a distinct clan. It is central to the Bible's focus on lineage and tribal structure Leviticus 25:10.
- H1121 bên (son): As a term for a son or descendant, this word is foundational to all biblical genealogies. The census listing the Jaminites begins by identifying "The sons of Simeon" Numbers 26:12.
While not a major theological term itself, the existence of H3228 points to larger biblical concepts:
- Genealogical Identity: The term's specific use in a census highlights the importance of maintaining detailed family and tribal records in ancient Israel. This meticulous accounting was essential for matters of inheritance and covenant identity Numbers 26:12.
- Familial and Tribal Structure: The word "Jaminites" functions as one piece in the larger organizational structure of Israel. The nation was ordered by tribes, which were in turn composed of families or clans, like the one identified by H3228.
- Covenant Lineage: Being identified as a Jaminite was a way of confirming one's place within a specific family, within the tribe of Simeon, and ultimately within the covenant people of Israel whom God had set apart from all the other "families of the earth" Amos 3:2.
In summary, H3228 is a highly specific patronymic used once in Scripture. Its importance lies not in narrative or doctrinal development, but in its function as a clear example of the biblical emphasis on genealogy. The term Jaminites serves as a marker of identity, connecting a specific family unit back to its progenitor, Jamin, and affirming its place within the tribe of Simeon and the nation of Israel.
TRV