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יִסְכָּה

Yiçkâh /yis-kaw'/ Ask about this word
from an unused root meaning to watch
observant; Jiskah, sister of Lot
Iscah.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew name Yiçkâh, represented by H3252, is defined as observant. It appears only 1 time in a single verse in the Bible. This name refers to the person Iscah, who is identified as the sister of Lot and the daughter of Haran.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The single appearance of H3252 is in a genealogical account in Genesis. The verse establishes the family lines of Terah's sons, Abram and Nahor, noting that they both took wives. The passage explicitly identifies Iscah as the daughter of Haran, alongside her sister Milcah, who married their uncle Nahor. This mention firmly places Iscah within the patriarchal family tree, identifying her as the niece of Abram Genesis 11:29.

Related Words & Concepts

Iscah's identity is established through her relationships with several key figures mentioned in the same verse:

  • H2039 Hârân: Defined as mountaineer, Haran is named as the father of both Iscah and her sister Milcah Genesis 11:29. This establishes her direct parentage.
  • H4435 Milkâh: Meaning queen, Milcah is Iscah's sister and is noted as the wife of Nahor Genesis 11:29. Her marriage is a central point of the passage.
  • H5152 Nâchôwr: The brother of Abram and Haran, whose name means snorer. He took Iscah's sister, Milcah, as his wife Genesis 11:29, making him Iscah's uncle by birth and brother-in-law by marriage.
  • H1 ʼâb: This word for father is used to connect Iscah directly to Haran. The text specifies Haran as "the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah" Genesis 11:29, emphasizing his role as their progenitor.

Theological Significance

While not a central character, the inclusion of H3252 has significance in the biblical record.

  • Genealogical Completeness: Iscah's mention provides a complete account of Haran's children alongside Milcah and Lot Genesis 11:27. Her presence helps to precisely map the family relationships surrounding Abram before his departure from Ur.
  • Patriarchal Lineage: The verse where Iscah is named focuses on the founding of the next generation of Terah's family, with Abram and Nahor taking wives Genesis 11:29. Iscah's inclusion in this record underscores her place within this pivotal lineage.
  • Observant Identity: The definition of her name as observant suggests a personal characteristic. Although the narrative does not expand on this, the name itself serves as a marker of her identity.

Summary

In summary, H3252 is the proper name Iscah, a figure mentioned once but who holds a distinct place in the patriarchal narrative. Her inclusion in Genesis 11:29 is vital for clarifying the family structure of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Although her story is not detailed, her name is recorded, ensuring the genealogical record of Haran's descendants is preserved within the foundational chapters of Genesis.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 1 occurrence, inflected in 1 grammatical form.

  • Proper Feminine
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
Proper
A proper name.

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

1 verse, all in Genesis.

Verse Explorer

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