from קָטֹן; he will be made little; Joktan, an Arabian patriarch; Joktan.
Transliteration:Yoqṭân
Pronunciation:yok-tawn'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew proper noun יׇקְטָן (Yoqṭân), Strong's number `{{H3355}}`, is derived from the root קָטֹן (qâṭôn), `{{H6994}}`, which signifies "small," "insignificant," "younger," or "to be made small." The name Yoqṭân is typically interpreted as "he will be made little" or "may he be made small." This etymology suggests a potential nuance of humility, a lesser status, or perhaps a divine humbling or reduction in prominence relative to another. In the context of biblical naming conventions, names often held prophetic or descriptive significance concerning the individual's character, destiny, or the circumstances of their birth. The passive or reflexive sense implied by the "he will be made little" suggests an external agency, possibly divine, in determining his stature or lot.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Yoqṭân appears six times in the Hebrew Bible, exclusively within genealogical lists:
* [[Genesis 10:25]]: "And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg; for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother's name was Joktan."
* [[Genesis 10:26]]: "And Joktan begat Almodad, and Sheleph, and Hazarmaveth, and Jerah,"
* [[Genesis 10:29]]: "And Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab: all these were the sons of Joktan." (This verse concludes the list of his thirteen sons.)
* [[1 Chronicles 1:19]]: "And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg; for in his days the earth was divided: and his brother's name was Joktan."
* [[1 Chronicles 1:20]]: "And Joktan begat Almodad, and Sheleph, and Hazarmaveth, and Jerah,"
* [[1 Chronicles 1:23]]: "And Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan." (This verse concludes the list of his thirteen sons.)
Yoqṭân is presented as a son of Eber and brother of Peleg. While Peleg's name signifies "division" and is linked to the global dispersion of humanity, Yoqṭân is depicted as the progenitor of a significant lineage of tribes. His thirteen sons are consistently listed, and their names are traditionally associated with various regions of southern Arabia, including modern-day Yemen and parts of Saudi Arabia. This extensive progeny indicates that Yoqṭân was a foundational figure in the ethnogenesis of numerous Arabian peoples. The recurrence of his lineage in both Genesis and 1 Chronicles underscores its importance for understanding the broader family of nations descended from Noah, even those outside the direct patriarchal line leading to Abraham.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is קָטֹן (qâṭôn), `{{H6994}}`, the root from which Yoqṭân is derived. This root is used widely in the Hebrew Bible to denote:
* **Physical smallness:** As in [[Genesis 19:11]] ("from the least even unto the greatest") or [[1 Samuel 17:14]] (David as the "youngest").
* **Youth or junior status:** [[Genesis 44:2]] (Benjamin as the "youngest") or [[1 Samuel 9:21]] (Saul describing himself as "the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin").
* **Insignificance or humility:** [[Isaiah 60:22]] ("A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation").
The concept of "smallness" or "humility" is a recurring theological motif in Scripture, often contrasting with human pride and highlighting divine sovereignty (e.g., God choosing the "least" or "weak" to accomplish His purposes, [[1 Corinthians 1:27-29]]). While Yoqṭân's name means "he will be made little," his progeny is vast, suggesting a paradox or a divine ordering where even those "made little" can become great in number. The broader concept of biblical genealogies, as seen in Genesis 10, emphasizes the unity of humanity's origin and the meticulous divine ordering of nations and their territories.
### Theological Significance
The name Yoqṭân, meaning "he will be made little," carries several layers of theological significance within the biblical narrative.
1. **Divine Sovereignty in Naming:** The meaning of Yoqṭân's name, especially when contrasted with his brother Peleg (division), suggests a divine hand in the naming and ordering of the nations. While Peleg's line leads to the covenant people through Abraham, Yoqṭân's line branches into the numerous peoples of Arabia. The name may subtly indicate a relative status in God's redemptive plan, not necessarily one of insignificance, but perhaps a lineage less central to the covenant narrative, yet still vital to the overall tapestry of humanity.
2. **Paradox of Humility and Fruitfulness:** Despite a name that implies being "made little," Yoqṭân is recorded as the father of thirteen sons, who in turn founded numerous tribes. This presents a theological paradox: what is "little" in one sense (perhaps in terms of covenant prominence) can be exceedingly fruitful in another (in terms of demographic expansion). This echoes biblical themes where God often works through the humble or the seemingly insignificant.
3. **Inclusivity of God's Plan:** The detailed enumeration of Yoqṭân's descendants in the "Table of Nations" ([[Genesis 10]]) underscores the Bible's comprehensive view of human origins. It demonstrates that God's concern extends beyond the immediate covenant line to all the families of the earth. The meticulous record of these Arabian tribes, known for their wealth and trade routes in later biblical periods, affirms the historical reality and divine ordering of all peoples.
4. **Prophetic Foreshadowing:** While speculative, the name could also be seen as a subtle foreshadowing of the eventual lesser prominence of these Arabian nations compared to the Abrahamic lineage in the unfolding of salvation history, even as they remained significant players in the ancient world.
### Summary
Yoqṭân (`{{H3355}}`), derived from `{{H6994}}` (qâṭôn), signifies "he will be made little." This name belongs to a significant patriarch in the biblical genealogies of [[Genesis 10]] and [[1 Chronicles 1]]. He is identified as the son of Eber and brother of Peleg, and most notably, the progenitor of thirteen sons who founded numerous tribes primarily associated with southern Arabia. The meaning of his name, in conjunction with his extensive progeny, presents a theological paradox, suggesting that what may be "made little" in one divine ordering can be immensely fruitful in another. His inclusion in the "Table of Nations" highlights God's comprehensive sovereignty over all peoples and the meticulous nature of biblical historical records, affirming the divine ordering of all human lineages.
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