from an unused root meaning to pin through or fast; a peg; nail, paddle, pin, stake.
Transliteration:yâthêd
Pronunciation:yaw-thade'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term יָתֵד (yâthêd), Strong's `{{H3489}}`, derives from an unused root signifying the action "to pin through or fast." Its primary and literal meaning is "peg," "nail," or "stake." This core definition immediately conveys a sense of stability, fastening, and support. The semantic range of *yâthêd* encompasses various physical objects used for securing:
* **Tent Pegs:** Essential for nomadic life, these pegs anchored the tent fabric to the ground, providing stability and shelter. This is perhaps its most common association.
* **Wall Pegs/Nails:** Used within dwellings to hang items, indicating a point of reliable attachment and support.
* **Weaver's Pin:** Though less explicit in the biblical text, the underlying concept of "pinning through" suggests an instrument for joining or securing.
The word inherently speaks to that which is fixed, firm, and dependable, serving as a point of attachment or a means of securing something in place.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term *yâthêd* appears approximately 20 times in the Old Testament, revealing its diverse applications and metaphorical richness:
* **Tabernacle Construction:** In Exodus, *yâthêd* refers to the pegs used to secure the Tabernacle curtains and the surrounding court. [[Exodus 27:19]], [[Exodus 35:18]], [[Exodus 38:20]], [[Exodus 38:31]], [[Numbers 3:37]], [[Numbers 4:32]]. These pegs were crucial for the stability and integrity of God's dwelling place among His people, underscoring the importance of every component in divine order.
* **Act of Judgment:** Perhaps the most dramatic occurrence is in [[Judges 4:21]], where Jael uses a tent peg (*yâthêd*) to kill Sisera, the commander of the Canaanite army. Here, the ordinary household item becomes an instrument of divine judgment and deliverance for Israel.
* **Metaphorical Support and Reliability:** The prophet Isaiah employs *yâthêd* powerfully in a metaphorical sense. In [[Isaiah 22:23-25]], Eliakim is depicted as a "secure peg" (*yâthêd*) fastened in a firm place, upon whom all the glory of his father's house will hang. This signifies a reliable, trusted, and divinely appointed source of support and authority. Conversely, the removal or cutting off of this peg in [[Isaiah 22:25]] symbolizes the utter collapse of that support, indicative of divine judgment and the removal of authority due to unfaithfulness.
* **Divine Provision and Hope:** [[Ezra 9:8]] uses *yâthêd* to describe God's gracious provision of a "nail in His holy place," signifying a secure foothold, a place of rest, or a remnant for His people after the exile. This speaks to God's mercy and faithfulness in providing a means of stability and hope even in dire circumstances.
* **Leadership and Foundation:** In [[Zechariah 10:4]], *yâthêd* is used in conjunction with "cornerstone" and "battle bow" to describe the source of leadership and strength from Judah, pointing towards a future leader or the Messiah. This elevates the *yâthêd* from a mere physical object to a symbol of foundational strength and authoritative leadership.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of *yâthêd* resonates with several related Hebrew words and theological concepts:
* **Stability and Foundation:** The idea of a peg or nail naturally connects with terms denoting stability and foundation, such as `{{H68}}` ('eben - stone, often a cornerstone like `{{H6438}}`), or `{{H4131}}` (mish'en - staff, support). The *yâthêd* serves as a practical, everyday embodiment of these larger concepts.
* **Dwelling and Tabernacle:** Given its frequent use in descriptions of the Tabernacle, *yâthêd* is intrinsically linked to `{{H168}}` ('ohel - tent) and `{{H4908}}` (mishkan - dwelling place, tabernacle). The pegs were vital for the physical manifestation of God's presence among His people.
* **Strength and Security:** The secure nature of a well-driven peg relates to concepts of strength `{{H2389}}` (chazaq - strong, firm) and security `{{H983}}` (betach - security, trust).
* **Divine Appointment and Authority:** The metaphorical use in Isaiah and Zechariah links *yâthêd* to ideas of divine appointment, delegated authority, and leadership, often in a messianic context.
### Theological Significance
The seemingly humble *yâthêd* carries profound theological weight:
* **Divine Order and Presence:** The use of pegs in the Tabernacle underscores God's meticulous design and the necessity of every component, no matter how small, for the proper functioning and stability of His dwelling place. It signifies that God's presence is ordered, secured, and accessible.
* **God as the Ultimate Provider of Security:** In Ezra, God Himself provides the "nail in His holy place," illustrating His mercy in establishing a secure place or a remnant for His people. This highlights God's faithfulness as the ultimate source of stability and hope for His people amidst trials and exile.
* **Christological Foreshadowing:** The imagery of the "secure peg" in [[Isaiah 22:23-25]] is often interpreted as a messianic prophecy. Eliakim, as a type, points to Christ as the ultimate and unshakeable "sure peg" upon whom all the weight of God's glory and the hope of humanity rests. Unlike human leaders who may be cut off, Christ is the eternal, unwavering support who bears the full burden and provides true security for His people.
* **Judgment and Consequences:** The removal of the peg in [[Isaiah 22:25]] serves as a stark reminder of divine judgment against unfaithfulness and the removal of delegated authority when it is misused or proves unreliable.
* **Community and Interdependence:** The many pegs supporting the Tabernacle can also symbolize the interdependence within the community of faith, where each member contributes to the stability and flourishing of the whole.
### Summary
The Hebrew word *yâthêd* (Strong's `{{H3489}}`) primarily denotes a "peg," "nail," or "stake," embodying the physical function of securing, fastening, and supporting. Its biblical occurrences range from the literal tent pegs of the Tabernacle, crucial for its stability and divine order, to the instrument of judgment in the hand of Jael. Metaphorically, *yâthêd* expands to represent a reliable source of support, a secure foothold provided by God's mercy, and a symbol of foundational leadership. Theologically, *yâthêd* speaks to God's meticulous design, His role as the ultimate provider of security and hope, and powerfully foreshadows Christ as the unshakeable "sure peg" upon whom all creation and salvation depend. It also serves as a potent image for divine judgment when human leaders or systems prove unfaithful. Thus, this seemingly simple word carries profound implications for understanding divine faithfulness, human responsibility, and messianic hope.
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