from יָרַד; a descent; Jered, the name of an antediluvian, and of an Israelite; Jared.
Transliteration:Yered
Pronunciation:yeh'-red
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The lemma יֶרֶד (Yered, `{{H3382}}`) is a proper noun derived directly from the verbal root יָרַד (yarad, `{{H3381}}`), which means "to go down," "descend," "come down," or "fall." Consequently, the fundamental meaning of יֶרֶד itself is "a descent" or "one who descends." While the word's etymology points to this action, its biblical usage is exclusively as a personal name. The naming convention in ancient Hebrew culture often imbued individuals with a symbolic or prophetic meaning related to their circumstances or the hopes of their parents. Thus, "Jared" subtly carries the connotation of "descent" for the individuals bearing this name.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name יֶרֶד (Jared, `{{H3382}}`) appears in the Old Testament primarily within genealogical lists.
* **Genesis 5:15-20**: Jared is a pivotal figure in the antediluvian genealogy, serving as the son of Mahalalel and the father of Enoch.
* [[Genesis 5:15]] states, "Mahalalel lived sixty-five years, and begot Jared."
* [[Genesis 5:18]] notes, "Jared lived one hundred and sixty-two years, and begot Enoch."
* His lifespan is recorded as 962 years [[Genesis 5:20]], making him one of the longest-lived patriarchs before the Flood. This context places him within the foundational narrative of humanity's early history, highlighting the longevity and the unfolding lineage that leads to Noah and the subsequent flood narrative. The etymological sense of "descent" may carry a subtle layer of meaning here, perhaps hinting at the "descent" of humanity into sin or the "descent" of the divine into human affairs.
* **1 Chronicles 1:2**: This verse reiterates Jared's place in the sacred lineage, confirming his importance within the historical record of Israel.
* [[1 Chronicles 1:2]] lists "Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared," aligning perfectly with the Genesis account and underscoring the continuity of this ancestral line.
* **1 Chronicles 4:18**: In this instance, יֶרֶד (Jared) refers to a different individual, an Israelite from the tribe of Judah, son of Ezra.
* [[1 Chronicles 4:18]] mentions, "And his wife Jehudijah bore Jared the father of Gedor, Heber the father of Socho, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah." This demonstrates the name's continued use beyond the antediluvian period, likely adopted for its inherent meaning or simply as a traditional name.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic connection for יֶרֶד (Yered, `{{H3382}}`) is its verbal root, יָרַד (yarad, `{{H3381}}`). This verb is highly frequent and versatile in the Hebrew Bible, conveying various forms of "descent":
* **Physical Descent**: Such as going down into Egypt ([[Genesis 12:10]]), descending a mountain ([[Exodus 19:18]]), or going down into a pit or cistern.
* **Metaphorical Descent**: This can include going down to the grave or Sheol ([[Genesis 37:35]]), a lowering of status or power, or a decline in moral standing.
* **Divine Descent**: Crucially, יָרַד is used to describe God's "coming down" to interact with humanity, as seen in the descent on Mount Sinai ([[Exodus 19:11]]) or to observe human actions ([[Genesis 11:5]], [[Genesis 18:21]]).
The concept of "descent" can be associated with:
* **Humility or Abasement**: A voluntary lowering of oneself.
* **Judgment or Calamity**: The "descent" of divine wrath or destructive forces.
* **Divine Presence or Revelation**: God's "descent" to reveal Himself or intervene.
* **Lineage and Genealogy**: The "descent" of a family line, which is particularly relevant to the name Jared.
Within the antediluvian genealogies, other names also carry significant etymological weight, such as Enoch (חֲנוֹךְ, `{{H2585}}`, "initiated" or "dedicated") and Methuselah (מְתוּשֶׁלַח, `{{H4968}}`, often interpreted as "his death brings judgment"). Jared's name, "descent," fits into this pattern of names that may bear symbolic or prophetic overtones for the era in which they lived.
### Theological Significance
The primary theological import of יֶרֶד (Jared) stems from his integral position within the antediluvian genealogy of Genesis 5. This lineage is not merely a historical record but a profound theological statement about God's sovereign preservation of a chosen line amidst a world increasingly steeped in sin.
* **The Line of Promise**: Jared is part of the "godly line" descending from Adam through Seth, a lineage distinct from the line of Cain. This line culminates in Noah, through whom humanity is preserved after the Flood, and from whom the lineage of Abraham, David, and ultimately, the Messiah, would spring. Jared's inclusion underscores God's faithfulness in maintaining a righteous remnant and the continuity of His redemptive plan through successive generations.
* **Longevity and the Pre-Flood World**: Jared's extraordinary lifespan of 962 years is characteristic of the patriarchs before the Flood. This longevity is often interpreted as a reflection of humanity's initial, less corrupted state, or as evidence of God's immense patience before the judgment of the Flood. The subsequent drastic reduction in lifespans after the Flood can be seen as a "descent" in human vitality, a consequence of the pervasive nature of sin and the curse.
* **Etymological Speculation ("Descent")**: The name's meaning, "descent," invites theological speculation, particularly concerning the period in which Jared lived. Some interpretations suggest it could allude to:
* The "descent" of the "sons of God" (בְּנֵי הָאֱלֹהִים, [[Genesis 6:2]]) who intermarried with human women, leading to increased wickedness. This event is often placed chronologically around or after Jared's time.
* The "descent" of humanity into deeper moral corruption and rebellion against God, necessitating the divine judgment of the Flood.
* Conversely, it could symbolize the "descent" of divine grace or revelation among humanity in these early ages, or the "descent" of the divine plan through the preserved lineage.
Jared's life thus spans a critical period, highlighting the tension between human sinfulness and God's enduring patience, and His meticulous preservation of a lineage through which His ultimate purposes would be fulfilled.
### Summary
The Hebrew word יֶרֶד (Yered, `{{H3382}}`) is a proper noun, "Jared," whose etymological root is יָרַד (yarad, `{{H3381}}`), meaning "to descend" or "a descent." Its most significant biblical appearance is as the name of an antediluvian patriarch in the foundational genealogy of [[Genesis 5:15-20]] and [[1 Chronicles 1:2]]. This Jared is notable for his exceptional longevity (962 years) and his role as the father of Enoch. The name also occurs once for a post-Flood Israelite in [[1 Chronicles 4:18]]. While the precise application of its etymological meaning to the individuals is open to interpretation, the "descent" theme can subtly point to humanity's moral decline, the "descent" of divine judgment, or the "descent" of God's redemptive plan through the chosen lineage. Theologically, Jared's presence in the Genesis genealogy underscores God's steadfast preservation of a righteous line, crucial for the unfolding of salvation history and the eventual advent of the Messiah. His long life within a period of escalating human depravity serves as a silent witness to the unfolding divine drama before the Flood.
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