### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Yâshubîy**, represented by `{{H3432}}`, is a patronymic term used to identify a **Jashubite**, meaning a descendant of an individual named Jashub. Its definition is derived from the proper name Jashub `{{H3437}}`. This specific term is exceptionally rare, appearing only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the entire Bible, where it serves to designate a particular family line.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The singular appearance of `{{H3432}}` occurs within a genealogical list in the book of Numbers. The verse states, "Of Jashub, the family of the **Jashubites**: of Shimron, the family of the Shimronites" [[Numbers 26:24]]. In this context, the term is used to formally name a clan or family group as part of a census of the tribes of Israel. It explicitly links the "Jashubites" to their progenitor, Jashub, establishing their place within the larger tribal structure.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide context for the role and meaning of `{{H3432}}`:
* `{{H3437}}` **Yâshûwb**: The root name from which the term is derived. It means "he will return" and is the name of Jashub, the ancestor of the Jashubites ([[Numbers 26:24]], [[1 Chronicles 7:1]]).
* `{{H4940}}` **mishpâchâh**: This word for **family** or **kindred** is used in the same verse to describe the Jashubites. It signifies a circle of relatives, a tribe, or a people, and is central to the concept of lineage throughout scripture ([[Leviticus 25:10]], [[Jeremiah 3:14]]).
* `{{H8117}}` **Shimrônîy**: Meaning a **Shimronite**, or descendant of Shimron. This term is used in parallel with Jashubites in [[Numbers 26:24]], illustrating the common biblical practice of forming patronymics to identify family groups.
* `{{H8110}}` **Shimrôwn**: The proper name of the ancestor of the Shimronites, mentioned alongside Jashub as the head of a family ([[Numbers 26:24]], [[1 Chronicles 7:1]]).
### Theological Significance
While not carrying a complex theological meaning in itself, `{{H3432}}` is significant for what it represents within the biblical narrative:
* **Genealogical Identity:** The term is a clear example of the immense importance placed on lineage and tribal identity in ancient Israel. Such patronymics were essential for documenting inheritance, social order, and covenantal belonging.
* **Preservation of Ancestry:** Using the "-ite" suffix (as in Jashubite) was a standard method for connecting a collective group to a single, founding ancestor. This naming convention reinforces the idea that the family unit, or **mishpâchâh** `{{H4940}}`, is the core building block of the nation.
* **Structured Community:** Its use in the census of Numbers highlights the organized and structured nature of the Israelite community. Each family, including the Jashubites, had a distinct and recorded place within its tribe.
### Summary
In summary, **Yâshubîy** `{{H3432}}` is a precise genealogical identifier. Though it appears only once, its usage in [[Numbers 26:24]] provides a perfect illustration of the biblical system for naming and tracking family clans. Its significance lies in its function: to preserve the memory of an ancestor, define a specific family group, and affirm that family's place within the broader community of Israel.
TRV