The Hebrew name Yishvîy, represented by H3440, means level and is used in scripture as the name for two distinct Israelites. It appears 4 times across 4 unique verses, where its spelling in translation varies between Ishuai, Ishvi, Isui, and Jesui.
The name H3440 is used to identify two men in separate lineages. One is Ishui, a son of King Saul 1 Samuel 14:49. The other is a son of Asher, the son of Jacob. This second individual is listed as Isui in the genealogy of Asher's sons Genesis 46:17 and as Ishuai in a parallel list 1 Chronicles 7:30. His significance as a progenitor is confirmed in the census of the tribes, where Jesui H3440 is named as the father of the family of the Jesuites Numbers 26:44.
Several related words help clarify the genealogical context of H3440:
- H836 ʼÂshêr (happy): Yishvi is identified as a son of Asher, one of Jacob's sons and the namesake of one of Israel's tribes Genesis 46:17.
- H1121 bên (son): This word is essential to understanding Yishvi's identity, defining him as "a son (as a builder of the family name)." It appears in every verse where H3440 is mentioned, establishing his relationship to either Asher or Saul (Genesis 46:17, 1 Samuel 14:49).
- H3441 Yishvîy (a Jishvite): This patronymic identifies the "descendants of Jishvi." It is used specifically to name "the family of the Jesuites" as a recognized clan within the tribe of Asher Numbers 26:44.
- H4940 mishpâchâh (family): This term denotes a "circle of relatives" or clan. It is used to define the descendants of Yishvi as "the family of the Jesuites," a formal subdivision within the tribe of Asher Numbers 26:44.
The primary significance of H3440 is its role in documenting the structure of Israel.
- Genealogical Marker: The name firmly places two individuals within the biblical record: one in the royal lineage of Saul and the other in the tribal lineage of Asher (1 Samuel 14:49, Genesis 46:17).
- Founder of a Clan: Yishvi, the son of Asher, is recorded as the head of a distinct family unit, "the family of the Jesuites" Numbers 26:44. This status is important for matters of census, inheritance, and tribal organization.
- Tribal Identity: The inclusion of Yishvi's descendants in the census of Numbers highlights how individual patriarchal lines formed the collective identity and structure of the larger tribes of Israel Numbers 26:44.
In summary, H3440 is a proper name that serves as a vital genealogical pin in the biblical narrative. It identifies both a son of Israel's first king and, more significantly, a son of Asher who became the founder of a recognized family. The name's legacy is preserved through the establishment of the Jesuites, demonstrating how individual lineage contributed to the overall composition of the nation of Israel.
TRV