feminine of יִשְׂרְאֵלִי; a Jisreelitess or female descendant of Jisrael; Israelitish.
Transliteration:Yisrᵉʼêlîyth
Pronunciation:yis-reh-ay-leeth'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term יִשְׂרְאֵלִית (Yisrᵉʼêlîyth), Strong's number `{{H3482}}`, is the feminine form of יִשְׂרְאֵלִי (Yisrᵉʼêlîy, `{{H3481}}`), meaning "an Israelite." Its base definition indicates "a Jisreelitess or female descendant of Jisrael; Israelitish." Semantically, it denotes a woman who belongs to the nation of Israel, tracing her lineage back to the patriarch Jacob, who was renamed Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵל, `{{H3478}}`). This term carries the full weight of covenantal identity, signifying a member of God's chosen people, distinct from other nations.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term יִשְׂרְאֵלִית (Yisrᵉʼêlîyth, `{{H3482}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Leviticus:
* **[[Leviticus 24:10]]**: "Now the son of an Israelite woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the people of Israel. And the Israelite woman’s son and a man of Israel quarreled in the camp."
* **[[Leviticus 24:11]]**: "and the Israelite woman’s son blasphemed the Name, and cursed. Then they brought him to Moses. His mother’s name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan."
In this singular occurrence, the term is crucial for establishing the identity of the individual at the center of a significant legal case. The narrative explicitly states that the mother was an "Israelite woman" (אִשָּׁה יִשְׂרְאֵלִית), while her father was an Egyptian. This detail highlights the patriarchal society's emphasis on the mother's lineage in determining the child's status within the Israelite community, especially when the father was a foreigner. The son, despite his mixed parentage, is identified through his Israelite mother, making him subject to the laws and covenant obligations of Israel. His subsequent act of blasphemy against the divine Name underscores the gravity of violating the covenant from within the community, regardless of partial foreign descent. This passage emphasizes the importance of lineage and identity in the context of the sacred law and the purity of the covenant community.
### Related Words & Concepts
The term יִשְׂרְאֵלִית (Yisrᵉʼêlîyth, `{{H3482}}`) is intrinsically linked to several foundational biblical concepts and terms:
* **יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisra'el, `{{H3478}}`)**: The foundational name for the patriarch Jacob, and subsequently, the nation descended from him. This is the root from which "Israelite" derives, signifying the covenant people of God.
* **יִשְׂרְאֵלִי (Yisrᵉʼêlîy, `{{H3481}}`)**: The masculine form, "an Israelite," referring to a male member of the nation. The feminine form `{{H3482}}` directly parallels this, emphasizing the inclusion of women in the national identity.
* **גּוֹי (goy, `{{H1471}}`)**: Often translated as "nation" or "gentile," this term stands in contrast to Israel, highlighting the distinctiveness of God's chosen people from other nations.
* **עַם (ʿam, `{{H5971}}`)**: Meaning "people," often used in the context of "the people of Israel," emphasizing their communal identity and relationship with God.
* **בְּרִית (bĕrîyth, `{{H1285}}`)**: "Covenant," the foundational agreement between God and Israel, which defines their identity and responsibilities. The Israelite woman's son's act of blasphemy in [[Leviticus 24:11]] is a direct violation of this covenant.
* **קָדֹשׁ (qadosh, `{{H6918}}`)**: "Holy" or "set apart." The identity of an Israelite, male or female, implies a call to holiness and separation unto God.
### Theological Significance
Though appearing only once, the term יִשְׂרְאֵלִית (Yisrᵉʼêlîyth, `{{H3482}}`) carries profound theological weight. Its singular use in [[Leviticus 24:10-11]] underscores the critical role of lineage, particularly maternal lineage, in establishing identity within the covenant community. In a society where paternal descent often dominated, this passage highlights that the Israelite mother's identity was sufficient to bring her child under the jurisdiction of the Mosaic Law, even if the father was a non-Israelite. This affirms the inclusiveness of the covenant in certain respects while maintaining the distinctiveness of Israel.
The theological implication extends to the sacredness of the divine Name and the severity of blasphemy. The "Israelite woman's son" was held accountable as an Israelite, demonstrating that covenant identity brought with it profound responsibilities and consequences for disobedience. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the holiness required of those who bear the name of Israel and live under God's covenant. It emphasizes that the identity as an "Israelite" was not merely ethnic but carried a spiritual and moral obligation to honor the Lord.
### Summary
The term יִשְׂרְאֵלִית (Yisrᵉʼêlîyth, `{{H3482}}`) is the feminine form of "Israelite," signifying a female descendant of Jacob/Israel. Its sole biblical occurrence in [[Leviticus 24:10-11]] is highly significant, defining the identity of a man born of an Israelite mother and an Egyptian father. This unique usage highlights the importance of maternal lineage in establishing covenant identity within Israel, bringing the individual under the jurisdiction of divine law. The subsequent act of blasphemy by this "Israelite woman's son" underscores the grave responsibilities associated with being part of God's chosen people and the severe consequences for violating the covenant, particularly by dishonoring the sacred Name of the Lord. The term, though rare, powerfully illustrates the theological concepts of identity, lineage, covenant obligation, and the holiness demanded of God's people.
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