### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew name **Yaʻălâʼ**, represented by `{{H3279}}`, identifies **Jaala or Jaalah, one of the Nethinim**. It appears **2 times** across **2 unique verses** in the Bible. The name is found exclusively within genealogical lists that catalogue the families returning to Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H3279}}` is used solely within post-exilic census records. The name appears in a list of families returning to Judah, cited as "The children of Jaalah" [[Ezra 2:56]] and "The children of Jaala" [[Nehemiah 7:58]]. In both instances, this family is listed alongside the children of Darkon and Giddel, identifying them as part of a specific and consistently recorded group within the returning community.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide the genealogical context for `{{H3279}}`:
* `{{H1121}}` **bên** (a son): This word, used here as "children," establishes the context as a family line. It precedes the name in both occurrences, as in "The children of Jaalah" [[Ezra 2:56]], signifying a clan or descendants of an ancestor named Jaala.
* `{{H1874}}` **Darqôwn** (Darkon, one of 'Solomon's servants'): The family of Darkon is listed immediately after Jaala's in both census accounts, indicating a close and consistent association between these groups ([[Ezra 2:56]], [[Nehemiah 7:58]]).
* `{{H1435}}` **Giddêl** (Giddel, the name of one of the Nethinim): The family of Giddel is also consistently listed with Jaala and Darkon, suggesting they were part of the same cohort among the returning exiles [[Nehemiah 7:58]].
### Theological Significance
The significance of `{{H3279}}` is primarily historical and communal rather than theological.
* **Preservation of Lineage:** The inclusion of Jaala in the detailed census lists of Ezra and Nehemiah highlights the importance placed on preserving family identity and heritage after the dislocation of the exile.
* **Role of the Nethinim:** As Jaala is identified as one of the Nethinim, the name is associated with the group of dedicated temple servants. The record of their return was crucial, as their service was essential for re-establishing the full functions of temple worship in Jerusalem.
* **Community Structure:** The consistent grouping of Jaala with Darkon and Giddel in the biblical record points to the organized structure of the returning exiles, where families were cataloged to affirm their place and role in the restored community.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H3279}}` is the proper name **Yaʻălâʼ**, belonging to a family of Nethinim. Its presence in scripture is brief but significant, confined to the genealogical records that document the return from Babylon. The name provides a valuable insight into the meticulous efforts to reconstruct Israelite society, underscoring the importance of every family, including the temple servants, in the restoration of the nation and its worship.
TRV