from פָּלַט; he will deliver; Japhlet, an Israelite; Japhlet.
Transliteration:Yaphlêṭ
Pronunciation:yaf-late'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term Yaphlêṭ (`{{H3310}}`) is a proper noun, a personal name, derived from the verbal root פָּלַט (palat, `{{H6403}}`). The root פָּלַט fundamentally signifies "to escape," "to be delivered," or "to save oneself." When rendered in the Hiphil stem, as implied by the form of the name Yaphlêṭ, the meaning shifts to a causative sense: "to cause to escape," "to deliver," or "to rescue." The prefix *yod* (י) in Yaphlêṭ indicates a third-person masculine singular imperfect form, suggesting "he will deliver" or "he will cause to escape." Thus, the name Yaphlêṭ carries a profound and hopeful meaning, often interpreted as "He will deliver" or "May He deliver," reflecting an expectation of divine intervention or a testament to God's saving power. It encapsulates a future-oriented hope for rescue or salvation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Yaphlêṭ (`{{H3310}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the genealogical records of the book of Chronicles:
* [[1 Chronicles 7:33]]: "The sons of Japhlet: Pasach, Bimhal, and Ashvath. These are the sons of Japhlet."
In this sole occurrence, Yaphlêṭ is identified as a son of Heber and a descendant of Asher, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The context is purely genealogical, listing the progeny of Asher. No narrative or specific actions are attributed to Yaphlêṭ himself. His inclusion serves to establish the lineage and tribal structure of Israel. In ancient Israelite culture, names were often highly significant, frequently reflecting circumstances of birth, parental hopes, or a theological statement. While the text offers no further details about this individual, the meaning of his name, "He will deliver," stands as a quiet testament within the extensive genealogical record, perhaps signifying the parents' faith in God's deliverance or a prayer for the future of their offspring.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary lexical connection for Yaphlêṭ (`{{H3310}}`) is its root, פָּלָט (palat, `{{H6403}}`). This root is widely used across the Hebrew Bible to denote various forms of escape, deliverance, and rescue, often in the context of divine intervention. Other related terms derived from or conceptually linked to פָּלָט include:
* פְּלֵיטָה (peletah, `{{H6413}}`): This noun means "escape," "deliverance," or "remnant," often referring to those who have survived a catastrophe or divine judgment (e.g., [[Joel 2:32]], [[Isaiah 4:2]]). It underscores the concept of a preserved group.
* מִפְלָט (miflat, `{{H4656}}`): This noun denotes a "place of escape" or "refuge" (e.g., [[Psalm 55:8]]). It highlights the secure location or means by which deliverance is achieved.
The concept of "deliverance" is central to biblical theology, permeating narratives from the Exodus (God delivering Israel from Egypt) to the prophetic promises of future restoration. The name Yaphlêṭ aligns with this broader theme, echoing the divine attribute of being a rescuer and savior. Other biblical names also carry similar connotations of salvation or deliverance, such as Yeshua/Joshua (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, `{{H3091}}`), meaning "Yahweh saves," or Isaiah (יְשַׁעְיָהוּ, `{{H3470}}`), meaning "Yahweh is salvation."
### Theological Significance
Though Yaphlêṭ (`{{H3310}}`) is merely a name in a genealogical list, its etymological meaning, "He will deliver," carries profound theological resonance. In a culture where names often functioned as miniature confessions of faith or prophetic declarations, Yaphlêṭ points directly to God as the ultimate Deliverer. The name could have been given in gratitude for a past deliverance, in hopeful anticipation of future rescue, or as a prayer for God's ongoing protection and salvation.
The theme of deliverance is foundational to the biblical narrative, portraying God as actively involved in rescuing His people from various forms of bondage, oppression, and peril. From the deliverance from slavery in Egypt ([[Exodus 14]]) to the numerous instances of rescue from enemies in the period of the Judges and monarchy, God consistently reveals Himself as the One who delivers. The very name Yaphlêṭ, therefore, serves as a subtle yet powerful affirmation of God's character as a Savior and Redeemer. It reminds us that even in the seemingly mundane details of a lineage, a deep theological truth about divine faithfulness can be embedded, testifying to the hope that God "will deliver." This hope ultimately finds its fullest expression in the person and work of the Messiah, the ultimate Deliverer.
### Summary
Yaphlêṭ (`{{H3310}}`) is a Hebrew personal name found once in [[1 Chronicles 7:33]], where it designates a descendant of Asher. Derived from the root פָּלָט (palat, `{{H6403}}`), meaning "to escape" or "to be delivered," the name Yaphlêṭ signifies "He will deliver" or "May He deliver." While no specific narrative is associated with the individual, the name itself carries significant theological weight, reflecting a deep-seated hope and faith in God's power to rescue and save. It resonates with the overarching biblical theme of divine deliverance, which portrays God as the ultimate Deliverer of His people from all forms of adversity. Thus, even a seemingly minor name in a genealogical record can serve as a profound testament to God's character as a faithful and saving God.
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