### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Yisrᵉʼêlîy**, represented by `{{H3481}}`, is a specific term defining an **Israelite**. Derived patronymically from `{{H3478}}` Yisrâʼêl, its base definition is "a Jisreelite or descendant of Jisrael." It appears **2 times** across **2 unique verses** in the Bible. The word's primary function is to denote the national and ethnic identity of a male individual, marking them as a descendant of Israel.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In its biblical occurrences, `{{H3481}}` is used to establish a person's lineage and community affiliation. In [[2 Samuel 17:25]], it identifies Ithra, who was made a captain in Absalom's army, as an **Israelite**. This detail provides crucial context about his background. In [[Leviticus 24:10]], the term is used to describe the community, the "children of Israel," among whom a man of mixed parentage (Israelitish mother and Egyptian father) found himself in conflict. This context highlights the importance of clear national identity within the camp of Israel.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words clarify the concept of Israelite identity:
* `{{H3478}}` **Yisrâʼêl** (he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel): This is the foundational name for the nation and people from which the term `{{H3481}}` is derived. God establishes his covenant with the house of **Israel** [[Jeremiah 31:33]].
* `{{H3482}}` **Yisrᵉʼêlîyth** (a Jisreelitess or female descendant of Jisrael; Israelitish): This is the feminine counterpart, used to identify the mother in the Leviticus narrative as an **Israelitish** woman [[Leviticus 24:10]].
* `{{H376}}` **ʼîysh** (a man as an individual or a male person): This word is often used to specify the individual being identified. In the conflict in the camp, the man of mixed heritage strove with a **man** of Israel [[Leviticus 24:10]].
* `{{H4713}}` **Mitsrîy** (a Mitsrite, or inhabitant of Mitsrajim; Egyptian, of Egypt): This term provides a direct contrast in national identity. The father of the man who caused the strife in the camp was an **Egyptian** [[Leviticus 24:10]].
### Theological Significance
The use of `{{H3481}}` carries specific weight in understanding identity within the biblical framework.
* **National and Lineal Identity:** The word's main purpose is to draw clear lines of national and ancestral identity. It distinguishes Ithra as an **Israelite** [[2 Samuel 17:25]] and contrasts the community of Israel with the **Egyptian** heritage of the man's father in Leviticus [[Leviticus 24:10]].
* **Defining the Community:** By identifying someone as an **Israelite**, the term places them within the community of **Israel** `{{H3478}}`. The conflict described in [[Leviticus 24:10]] occurs "among the children of Israel," underscoring that actions within this group were judged by its unique laws and standards.
* **Heritage in Conflict:** The narrative in Leviticus directly involves a conflict rooted in heritage. The tension is between the son of an **Israelitish** woman `{{H3482}}` and "a man of Israel," highlighting how mixed lineage could be a source of strife within the Israelite camp.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H3481}}` **Yisrᵉʼêlîy** is more than a simple label; it is a precise identifier of male lineage and national belonging. Though rare, its usage is powerful, serving to frame a person's role and background, as with Ithra the **Israelite** [[2 Samuel 17:25]]. It also helps establish the boundaries of the covenant community, setting the stage for conflicts based on heritage, such as the one between the man of mixed parentage and the man of Israel [[Leviticus 24:10]]. The word shows how specific genealogical terms are vital for understanding relationships and identity among God's people.
TRV