the same as יֶרַח; Jerach, an Arabian patriarch; Jerah.
Transliteration:Yerach
Pronunciation:yeh'-rakh
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word `{{H3392}}` (Yerach) is exclusively a proper noun, identifying a specific individual. Its base definition points to "Jerach, an Arabian patriarch." Morphologically, it is identical to the common noun `{{H3391}}` (yerach), which signifies "month" or "new moon." This etymological connection suggests that the name "Yerach" may carry the connotation of "moon" or "lunar," perhaps implying one associated with the moon or born under a particular lunar phase. However, within the biblical text, its semantic range is strictly limited to its function as a personal name within a genealogical context. It does not carry the meaning of "month" when `{{H3392}}` is used; rather, it identifies a person whose name shares the same linguistic root as the word for "month."
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The proper noun `{{H3392}}` occurs twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times within genealogical lists:
1. [[Genesis 10:26]]: "Joktan became the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah," (יֶרַח). Here, Yerach is listed as one of the thirteen sons of Joktan, who was a son of Eber, a descendant of Shem. This places him within the "Table of Nations," a foundational text outlining the dispersion and proliferation of humanity after the Flood. Yerach's lineage branches off into various Arabian tribes.
2. [[1 Chronicles 1:20]]: "Joktan became the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah," (יֶרַח). This verse is a direct recapitulation of the Genesis account, demonstrating the Chronicler's emphasis on preserving and reiterating genealogical records.
In both instances, Yerach is merely named as an ancestor; no specific actions, events, or further details are provided about his life or character. His significance lies solely in his role as a progenitor within the broader tapestry of post-Flood humanity, contributing to the peopling of the earth. His inclusion in the Joktanite lineage connects him to the peoples of the Arabian Peninsula, specifically the southern regions.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most immediate and direct related word is `{{H3391}}` (yerach), meaning "month" or "new moon." This connection is purely etymological and morphological, as the proper noun `{{H3392}}` derives its form from this common noun.
Other related concepts include:
* **Genealogies (תּוֹלְדֹת, toledot):** Yerach's appearance within the toledot of Noah's sons highlights the biblical emphasis on lineage, continuity, and the fulfillment of God's command to "be fruitful and multiply" ([[Genesis 1:28]], [[Genesis 9:1]]).
* **The Table of Nations:** His inclusion in [[Genesis 10]] underscores the Bible's universal scope, presenting a unified origin for all humanity and acknowledging the diverse peoples of the ancient world.
* **Descendants of Shem:** Yerach's ancestry traces back to Shem, placing him within the broader line from which Abraham and, eventually, Israel would emerge, though his specific branch leads to the Arabian peoples.
* **Ancient Near Eastern Lunar Associations:** While not explicit in the biblical text, the name's root connection to "moon" (yerach) could subtly allude to the widespread veneration of lunar deities in ancient Near Eastern cultures (e.g., the Mesopotamian moon god Sin). The biblical narrative, however, consistently opposes such polytheistic practices, emphasizing Yahweh as the sole Creator of the celestial bodies ([[Genesis 1:16]]).
### Theological Significance
As a figure in the "Table of Nations," Yerach's theological significance is primarily found in his contribution to the unfolding of God's plan for humanity's proliferation across the earth.
1. **Divine Sovereignty over All Nations:** His inclusion in the genealogies underscores God's comprehensive sovereignty, not only over Israel but over all peoples and their origins. The "Table of Nations" demonstrates that all humanity, regardless of their later spiritual or national identity, shares a common ancestry under God's creative and providential hand.
2. **Fulfillment of the Creation Mandate:** Yerach's role as a patriarch contributes to the fulfillment of the divine command given to Adam and Noah to "be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth" ([[Genesis 1:28]], [[Genesis 9:1]]). He represents a segment of humanity that populated the Arabian Peninsula.
3. **Subtle Contrast to Paganism (Implied):** While the Bible does not comment on the etymology of Yerach's name, its connection to the "moon" (yerach) could subtly serve as a theological counterpoint. In cultures where the moon was deified, the biblical account presents a man named "Moon" as a mere human descendant, created by the one true God who also created the moon. This implicitly reinforces monotheism by demoting any potential divine association of the moon to a created entity, subject to God's ultimate authority.
### Summary
`{{H3392}}` (Yerach) is a proper noun, the name of an Arabian patriarch, appearing in the genealogies of [[Genesis 10:26]] and [[1 Chronicles 1:20]]. His name is identical in form to `{{H3391}}`, the Hebrew word for "month" or "new moon," suggesting an etymological connection to the lunar body. Within the biblical narrative, Yerach's primary significance lies in his role as a progenitor within the "Table of Nations," illustrating God's universal plan for humanity's dispersion and the fulfillment of the creation mandate. His inclusion emphasizes the common ancestry of all peoples under God's sovereignty, implicitly contrasting with any potential pagan lunar associations by presenting him as a created human, not a deity.
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