from a unused root of uncertain signification; a lunation, i.e. month; month, moon.
Transliteration:yerach
Pronunciation:yeh'-rakh
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word yerach (`{{H3391}}`) is derived from an unused root of uncertain signification. Its primary meaning denotes a "lunation," encompassing both the celestial body "moon" and, more frequently, a "month" as a period of time determined by the moon's cycle. This dual meaning highlights the intrinsic connection between the lunar cycle and ancient Israelite timekeeping. While yerach can refer to the physical moon, its most common usage in the biblical text is to designate a full month, a period of approximately 29 or 30 days. It is distinct from other terms that might emphasize the "new moon" or the beginning of a month.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term yerach appears approximately 26 times in the Old Testament, primarily in historical and prophetic books, often in chronological contexts.
1. **Chronological Marker:** Most frequently, yerach serves to define specific timeframes for events, reigns, or religious observances. For example, in [[1 Kings 6:38]], it marks the completion of the Temple: "In the eleventh year, in the month of Bul (which is the eighth month), the house was finished in all its details and according to all its specifications. So he was seven years in building it." Similarly, [[1 Kings 8:2]] notes the assembly for the dedication of the Temple: "And all the men of Israel assembled themselves to King Solomon at the feast in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month." This usage is common in books like Kings, Chronicles, and Ezra, providing precise dating for significant events such as the return from exile ([[Ezra 6:15]]) or the establishment of fasts ([[Zechariah 8:19]]). It also appears in the context of personal purification periods, as seen in [[Esther 2:12]], where women underwent twelve months of beauty treatments, "six months with oil of myrrh and six months with spices."
2. **As "Moon":** Less frequently, yerach refers directly to the celestial body, the moon. In these instances, it often appears in poetic or prophetic language. For example, [[Deuteronomy 33:14]] speaks of "the precious things of the produce of the sun and the precious things of the yield of the moons," where "moons" (plural of yerach) denotes the monthly cycles of growth influenced by the moon. [[Job 3:6]] uses it to curse a specific night: "As for that night, let thick darkness seize it; Let it not have a place in the days of the year; Let it not come into the number of the months [yerach]." Here, yerach contributes to the imagery of a night utterly removed from the regular passage of time. [[Isaiah 60:20]] offers a vision of future glory where "Your sun will no longer set, nor will your moon [yerach] wane; for the Lord will be your everlasting light." This highlights the moon as a source of light, albeit a transient one, in contrast to God's eternal illumination.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of yerach is enriched by understanding its relationship to other terms and concepts in the Hebrew Bible:
1. **Chodesh (`{{H2320}}`):** This is the most significant related term. While both yerach and chodesh are translated as "month," chodesh literally means "newness" and typically refers to the "new moon" (the beginning of the lunar month) or the month as defined by this commencement. Yerach, on the other hand, often denotes the full duration of a month, or a specific month by its name (e.g., "the month of Bul"). In some contexts, they are used interchangeably, but chodesh carries a stronger connotation of the monthly religious observances tied to the new moon.
2. **Yareach (`{{H3394}}`):** This word is also translated as "moon" and is very similar in pronunciation to yerach. While yerach can refer to the moon, yareach is more consistently used for the celestial body itself, often in parallel with shemesh (sun, `{{H8121}}`). For instance, [[Psalm 121:6]] states, "The sun will not strike you by day, nor the moon [yareach] by night." The distinction, though subtle, often lies in yerach's broader application to the *period* of a month, whereas yareach focuses on the *object*.
3. **Lunar Calendar:** The concept of yerach is foundational to the Israelite lunar calendar, which regulated agricultural cycles, festivals, and historical records. The observation of the moon's phases was critical for determining the timing of the annual feasts commanded by God.
4. **Shana (`{{H8141}}`):** "Year." Yerach (month) is a constituent part of a shana (year), demonstrating the hierarchical structure of biblical timekeeping.
### Theological Significance
The presence and usage of yerach in the biblical text carry several theological implications:
1. **Divine Order and Sovereignty:** The regular cycle of the moon, which defines the yerach, points to God as the ultimate Creator and Sustainer of cosmic order. [[Genesis 1:14]] states that the lights in the expanse of the heavens are "for signs and for seasons and for days and years," indicating God's purposeful design in establishing celestial bodies to govern time. The consistent appearance of the moon and the progression of months testify to God's unchanging faithfulness.
2. **Sacred Time and Covenant:** The lunar calendar, measured by yerach, was integral to Israel's religious life. The appointed feasts (Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles) were tied to specific months, underscoring the idea of sacred time set apart by God. The regularity of the moon also served as a metaphor for the enduring nature of God's covenant with His people, as seen in [[Psalm 89:37]]: "It shall be established forever like the moon, and the witness in the sky is faithful."
3. **God as the Source of True Light:** While yerach provides light in the night, biblical theology often contrasts this lesser light with the ultimate and eternal light of God Himself. Prophetic visions, such as [[Isaiah 60:20]], depict a future where the need for the sun and moon (including yerach) is superseded by the direct, unending glory of the Lord, emphasizing His supreme radiance and self-sufficiency.
### Summary
The Hebrew word yerach (`{{H3391}}`) primarily denotes a "month" as a period of time determined by the lunar cycle, though it can also refer to the "moon" itself. Its frequent use in historical texts highlights its role as a precise chronological marker for significant events in Israelite history and religious observances. While sharing semantic space with chodesh (new moon/month), yerach often emphasizes the full duration of a month. Theologically, yerach underscores God's meticulous design of creation, His sovereignty over time, and the reliability of His covenants, often contrasting the moon's transient light with the eternal and supreme light of God Himself.
TRV