from יָקֹשׁ; insidious; Jokshan, an Arabian patriarch; Jokshan.
Transliteration:Yoqshân
Pronunciation:yok-shawn'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma יׇקְשָׁן (Yoqshân), Strong's `{{H3370}}`, is a proper noun, specifically a personal name. Its base definition indicates a derivation from the root יָקֹשׁ (yaqosh), Strong's `{{H3369}}`, which means "to lay a snare," "to ensnare," or "to catch." Therefore, the etymological meaning of Yoqshân is "insidious," "fowler," or "one who lays snares." As a proper noun, its semantic range is restricted to identifying a specific individual within the biblical narrative. While the underlying root suggests a character trait of cunning or entrapment, this is not directly attributed to the biblical figure himself, but rather defines the inherent meaning of his name.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Yoqshân appears in two primary genealogical passages in the Old Testament, identifying him as one of Abraham's sons by his concubine Keturah.
1. **[[Genesis 25:2]]**: "She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah." This verse introduces Yoqshân as one of the six sons born to Abraham after the death of Sarah, establishing his place within the broader Abrahamic lineage. This list immediately follows the account of Abraham's life and precedes the detailed narrative of Isaac and Jacob, setting the stage for the diversification of Abraham's descendants.
2. **[[1 Chronicles 1:32]]**: "The sons of Keturah, Abraham’s concubine: she bore Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. The sons of Jokshan: Sheba and Dedan." This passage reiterates the lineage from Genesis and then provides further genealogical detail, naming Yoqshân's own sons, Sheba and Dedan. These two sons are significant as they become the progenitors of prominent Arabian tribes renowned for their trade and wealth in the ancient Near East (e.g., [[Isaiah 60:6]], [[Ezekiel 27:20-22]]).
In both contexts, Yoqshân functions purely as a link in a genealogical chain. There is no narrative account of his life, actions, or character. His significance is entirely tied to his paternity and the tribes that descended from him, which form part of the wider family of nations originating from Abraham.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic relation to Yoqshân (`{{H3370}}`) is its verbal root, יָקֹשׁ (yaqosh), Strong's `{{H3369}}`. This root signifies the act of snaring or entrapping, often used in a negative sense to describe the plots of enemies or the dangers faced by the righteous (e.g., [[Psalm 141:9]], [[Jeremiah 5:26]]). However, this etymological connection does not imply that Yoqshân himself was "insidious" in character; it merely explains the origin of his name.
Genealogically, Yoqshân is connected to:
* **Abraham** (father, `{{H85}}`)
* **Keturah** (mother, `{{H6989}}`)
* **His brothers**: Zimran (`{{H2174}}`), Medan (`{{H4091}}`), Midian (`{{H4080}}`), Ishbak (`{{H3435}}`), and Shuah (`{{H7744}}`).
* **His sons**: Sheba (`{{H7614}}`) and Dedan (`{{H1835}}`), who are significant tribal names often mentioned together in prophetic and historical texts concerning Arabian trade and peoples.
The concept of proper names carrying descriptive or aspirational meanings is common in Hebrew culture, though the specific implications of "insidious" for Yoqshân are not elaborated upon in the text.
### Theological Significance
Yoqshân's theological significance is primarily found within the broader narrative of God's covenant with Abraham. While the primary covenant line passes through Isaac, the existence and descendants of Yoqshân, along with Abraham's other sons by Keturah, highlight the expansive nature of God's blessing upon Abraham. God promised Abraham that he would be the "father of a multitude of nations" ([[Genesis 17:4-6]]), and Yoqshân's lineage contributes to the fulfillment of this promise, demonstrating that Abraham's progeny extended beyond the nation of Israel to encompass various peoples in the surrounding regions.
The fact that Yoqshân's sons, Sheba and Dedan, become notable Arabian tribes underscores the diversity of nations that trace their ancestry back to Abraham. This subtly points to God's sovereignty over all peoples and His intricate plan that unfolds through various lineages, even those not directly within the covenant of promise given to Isaac and his descendants. The name's etymological meaning does not appear to carry any specific theological weight or moral judgment on Yoqshân or his descendants in the biblical narrative; it functions simply as an identifying mark within the sacred genealogy.
### Summary
Yoqshân (`{{H3370}}`, יׇקְשָׁן) is a proper Hebrew noun, a personal name meaning "insidious" or "fowler," derived from the root meaning "to lay a snare." He is identified in [[Genesis 25:2]] and [[1 Chronicles 1:32]] as one of the six sons born to Abraham by Keturah after Sarah's death. While his name's etymology suggests a certain character trait, the biblical text provides no narrative details about Yoqshân's life or actions. His primary significance lies in his role as a patriarch, specifically as the father of the prominent Arabian tribes of Sheba and Dedan. Theologically, Yoqshân's inclusion in the biblical genealogies emphasizes the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham concerning the multitude of his descendants, demonstrating the expansive reach of God's plan beyond the direct covenant line of Isaac to encompass various nations.
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