from פָּדָה and יָהּ; Jah will liberate; Jiphdejah, an Israelite; Iphedeiah.
Transliteration:Yiphdᵉyâh
Pronunciation:yif-deh-yaw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew name Yiphdᵉyâh (יִפְדְּיָה, `{{H3301}}`) is a composite name derived from two primary elements: the verb פָּדָה (padah, `{{H6299}}`) and the divine short form יָהּ (Yah, `{{H3050}}`). The verb פָּדָה signifies "to redeem," "to ransom," "to deliver," or "to liberate," often implying an act of payment or intervention to secure freedom. The component יָהּ is an abbreviated form of the divine name YHWH, representing the God of Israel. Therefore, the name Yiphdᵉyâh carries the profound meaning, "Yah will liberate" or "Yah has redeemed." This etymology speaks directly to the character and actions of God as the one who actively intervenes to free His people from bondage or peril. While a proper name, its semantic range is inherently tied to the rich theological concept of divine redemption.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Yiphdᵉyâh (transliterated as Jiphdeiah or Iphedeiah in various English translations) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible.
* [[1 Chronicles 8:27]]: "And Jareshiah, and Elijah, and Zichri, and Jiphdeiah, and Penuel, the sons of Shashak."
In this solitary occurrence, Yiphdᵉyâh is listed as one of the sons of Shashak, a prominent Benjamite, within the extensive genealogies recorded in the book of 1 Chronicles. These genealogies serve not merely as historical records but as a testament to God's faithfulness in preserving His covenant people and their lineage. The inclusion of a name like Yiphdᵉyâh, meaning "Yah will liberate," within such a list, even without further narrative detail about the individual, subtly reinforces the pervasive understanding of God's redemptive work throughout Israelite history. It suggests that even in the naming of children, the hope and conviction of divine deliverance were embedded in the cultural and theological fabric of the community.
### Related Words & Concepts
The meaning of Yiphdᵉyâh is deeply interconnected with several crucial biblical terms and theological concepts:
* **פָּדָה (padah, `{{H6299}}`):** This is the foundational verb from which the name is derived. It is frequently used to describe God's act of redeeming Israel from slavery in Egypt ([[Exodus 15:13]]), from the hand of enemies ([[Psalm 78:42]]), or from death ([[Psalm 49:15]]). It often implies a transfer of ownership or status through a powerful intervention.
* **גָּאַל (ga'al, `{{H1350}}`):** Another primary Hebrew verb for "to redeem," often carrying the nuance of a "kinsman-redeemer." While distinct from פָּדָה, both verbs contribute to the comprehensive biblical understanding of redemption, highlighting God's role as the one who reclaims and restores His own.
* **יָהּ (Yah, `{{H3050}}`):** This abbreviated form of the divine name YHWH emphasizes God's personal involvement and covenant faithfulness. Its presence in the name Yiphdᵉyâh affirms that the liberation is not a human effort but a divine act.
* **Redemption (פְּדוּת, pᵉdût, `{{H6302}}`):** The noun form of פָּדָה, signifying the act or state of being redeemed. It is a central theme in both the Old and New Testaments, culminating in the redemption offered through Christ.
* **Deliverance/Liberation:** These concepts are inherent in the meaning of פָּדָה. God is consistently portrayed as the deliverer of His people from various forms of bondage—physical, spiritual, and existential.
* **Covenant:** God's acts of redemption are often framed within the context of His covenant relationship with Israel, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His promises.
### Theological Significance
The name Yiphdᵉyâh, "Yah will liberate," serves as a miniature theological statement embedded within the biblical text. While belonging to an individual whose life details remain unrecorded beyond his lineage, the name itself testifies to a fundamental tenet of Israelite faith: God is the active and powerful Redeemer.
This name reflects:
1. **God's Character as Redeemer:** It underscores that redemption is an intrinsic attribute of Yahweh. He is not a passive deity but one who intervenes decisively to rescue and set free. This concept is central to the Exodus narrative, where God "redeemed" Israel from Egyptian bondage, establishing Himself as their deliverer ([[Deuteronomy 7:8]]).
2. **Divine Initiative:** The future tense implied in "Yah will liberate" or the completed action in "Yah has redeemed" points to God's sovereign initiative in salvation. Human beings do not initiate their own liberation; it is a gracious act of God.
3. **Hope and Trust:** For the parents who bestowed this name, it likely expressed their hope, faith, or gratitude concerning God's redemptive power. In a world often marked by oppression and hardship, such a name served as a constant reminder of God's capacity and promise to deliver.
4. **Continuity of Redemption:** Even in a genealogical list, the presence of such a name subtly reinforces the ongoing narrative of God's redemptive work throughout generations. It implies that the God who redeemed their ancestors continues to be the God who redeems their descendants.
Ultimately, Yiphdᵉyâh encapsulates a core aspect of biblical theology: the unwavering truth that salvation and freedom come from God alone, a truth that finds its ultimate fulfillment in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.
### Summary
Yiphdᵉyâh (יִפְדְּיָה, `{{H3301}}`) is a Hebrew proper name meaning "Yah will liberate" or "Yah has redeemed," derived from the verb פָּדָה (padah, `{{H6299}}`, "to redeem") and the divine name יָהּ (Yah, `{{H3050}}`). It appears only once in the Bible, in [[1 Chronicles 8:27]], as the name of a Benjamite. Despite its single occurrence and the lack of narrative detail about the individual, the name itself carries profound theological significance. It functions as a powerful declaration of God's character as the active and sovereign Redeemer and Deliverer. It highlights the divine initiative in liberation, serving as a testament to the hope and trust placed in Yahweh's unwavering power to redeem His people from all forms of bondage throughout history, a theme central to the entire biblical narrative.
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