### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **yᵉçud**, represented by `{{H3246}}`, denotes a **foundation** or, in its idiomatic and figurative sense, a **beginning**. It appears only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the entire Bible, yet its singular use marks the start of a pivotal event. The term signifies the foundational moment from which a significant action commences.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole appearance of `{{H3246}}` is in the book of Ezra, where it marks the precise start of Ezra's journey from exile. The scripture states, "For upon the first day of the first month **began** he to go up from Babylon...according to the good hand of his God upon him" [[Ezra 7:9]]. This use of **yᵉçud** establishes the official beginning of a divinely sanctioned mission to return to Jerusalem and restore the law among the people. It is not merely a date but the foundational point of a redemptive historical movement.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words from its context help illuminate the concept of this significant beginning:
* `{{H7223}}` **riʼshôwn** (first, in place, time or rank): Used twice in the same verse, this word emphasizes the specific, primary moment of the journey's start, highlighting the deliberate timing of the event [[Ezra 7:9]].
* `{{H4609}}` **maʻălâh** (elevation, i.e. the act (literally, a journey to a higher place)): This is the action that `{{H3246}}` initiates. It describes the journey not just as movement, but as an ascent, both literally towards Jerusalem and spiritually in purpose [[Ezra 7:9]].
* `{{H935}}` **bôwʼ** (to go or come): This word marks the successful completion of the journey that **yᵉçud** began, framing the entire event from its foundational start to its God-ordained conclusion in Jerusalem [[Ezra 7:9]].
### Theological Significance
Though used once, the theological weight of `{{H3246}}` is derived from its context in Ezra's mission.
* **Divinely Initiated Beginnings:** The journey **began** "according to the good hand of his God upon him" [[Ezra 7:9]]. This connects the word to the theme of God being the ultimate initiator of redemptive plans. The "good" `{{H2896}}` "hand" `{{H3027}}` of God is the true foundation of the endeavor.
* **A Foundation for Restoration:** Ezra's journey was the start of a major spiritual and civil restoration for post-exilic Israel. The use of a word meaning "foundation" to begin this narrative underscores the journey's foundational importance for the future of the community in Jerusalem `{{H3389}}`.
* **Marking Sacred Time:** The beginning is meticulously dated to the "first" `{{H7223}}` day of the "first" `{{H259}}` "month" `{{H2320}}`. This precision shows that the event is set within God's sovereign timetable, marking it as a deliberate and holy undertaking, not a random occurrence.
### Summary
In summary, while extremely rare, `{{H3246}}` **yᵉçud** provides a powerful example of how a single word can anchor a significant theological concept. It functions as more than a simple verb for "began"; it acts as a marker for a divinely ordained, foundational moment in the history of God's people. Its lone appearance in scripture pinpoints the beginning of a crucial journey of restoration, initiated and sustained by the hand of God.
TRV