feminine of יָשָׁן; Jeshanah, a place in Palestine; Jeshanah.
Transliteration:Yᵉshânâh
Pronunciation:yesh-aw-naw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word Yᵉshânâh (`{{H3466}}`) is a proper noun, specifically a place name. Its core meaning is derived from its root, yashan (`{{H3465}}`), which means "old," "ancient," or "aged." As a feminine form, Yᵉshânâh literally conveys the sense of "the old one" or "the ancient place." Unlike common nouns or verbs, a proper noun does not possess a broad semantic range in terms of different conceptual meanings; its primary "meaning" is its referent: a specific geographical location. The name itself suggests a place of considerable age or historical significance, perhaps an ancient settlement.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Yᵉshânâh (`{{H3466}}`) appears only once in the Masoretic Text, in [[2 Chronicles 13:19]]. The verse states: "And Abijah pursued Jeroboam and captured cities from him, Bethel with its dependent villages and Jeshanah with its dependent villages and Ephron with its dependent villages." The context of this passage describes a significant conflict between Abijah, King of Judah, and Jeroboam, King of Israel. Abijah's decisive victory resulted in the capture of several strategically important cities from the northern kingdom. Geographically, Yᵉshânâh is mentioned alongside Bethel and Ephron, both prominent cities in the central hill country of ancient Israel. This places Yᵉshânâh likely within the territory of Ephraim or Benjamin, bordering Judah. Its inclusion in this list of captured cities indicates that Yᵉshânâh was a fortified or otherwise notable settlement, important enough to be specifically named as a prize of war. Its capture by Abijah would have significantly weakened Jeroboam's control over this vital region.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is yashan (`{{H3465}}`), the masculine form of the adjective meaning "old," "ancient," or "worn out." This root appears frequently in the Old Testament to describe things that are old, such as "old grain" ([[Leviticus 26:10]]) or "old garments" ([[Joshua 9:5]]). The concept of "oldness" or "antiquity" often carries connotations of established tradition, wisdom, or, in some contexts, decay. In the case of a place name like Yᵉshânâh, it most likely points to its long-standing existence or foundational history. While not directly related morphologically, other biblical place names occasionally derive from descriptive adjectives, reflecting a prominent characteristic of the location. The mention of "dependent villages" (bānôt, literally "daughters") alongside Yᵉshânâh indicates it was a central city with surrounding settlements under its jurisdiction, a common administrative structure in ancient Near Eastern urban centers.
### Theological Significance
As a proper noun referring to a specific geographical location, Yᵉshânâh does not carry inherent theological meaning in the same way a theological concept or action verb might. Its theological significance is primarily indirect, arising from its context within the biblical narrative. The mention of Yᵉshânâh in [[2 Chronicles 13:19]] highlights God's sovereignty over historical events and the rise and fall of kingdoms. Abijah's victory is explicitly presented as a divine judgment against Jeroboam's idolatry and rebellion against the Lord (see [[2 Chronicles 13:4-12]]). The capture of Yᵉshânâh and other cities by Judah can be seen as part of the unfolding divine plan for the two kingdoms, demonstrating the consequences of disobedience for Israel and the temporary favor shown to Judah when its kings aligned with God's will. While the name itself means "old" or "ancient," it does not directly contribute to a theological doctrine. Instead, it serves as a historical marker within a narrative that underscores themes of divine judgment, covenant faithfulness, and the territorial integrity of God's people.
### Summary
Yᵉshânâh (`{{H3466}}`) is a Hebrew proper noun, a place name occurring once in the Old Testament in [[2 Chronicles 13:19]]. Derived from the root yashan (`{{H3465}}`), meaning "old" or "ancient," the name itself suggests an ancient settlement. Geographically, it was located in the central hill country, near Bethel and Ephron, and was significant enough to be listed among the cities captured by King Abijah of Judah from King Jeroboam of Israel. Its appearance in the text serves to ground the historical narrative of the conflict between Judah and Israel, illustrating the consequences of Jeroboam's apostasy and Abijah's divinely-assisted victory. While the name Yᵉshânâh holds no direct theological meaning, its inclusion contributes to the broader biblical themes of divine judgment, the Lord's control over history, and the unfolding drama of the divided monarchy.
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