### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **môwledeth**, represented by `{{H4138}}`, is derived from the root for "to beget" `{{H3205}}` and encompasses a person's origins. It appears 22 times across 21 unique verses in the Bible. Its definition includes nativity, lineage, native country, offspring, and kindred, signifying the deep connection between a person's birthplace, family, and heritage.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H4138}}` is central to stories of identity and divine calling. God's command to Abram is to leave his country and his **kindred** [[Genesis 12:1]], setting in motion the formation of a new people. The importance of lineage is reinforced when Abraham sends his servant back to his country and **kindred** to find a wife for Isaac [[Genesis 24:4]]. The word also denotes one's birthplace, as seen when Haran dies "in the land of his **nativity**" [[Genesis 11:28]]. In a prophetic context, Ezekiel uses it to describe Jerusalem's origins as being from the land of Canaan [[Ezekiel 16:3]]. For Esther, her **kindred** represents her Jewish identity, which she must ultimately reveal to save her people [[Esther 2:10]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words expand upon the concepts of origin, family, and place:
* `{{H3205}}` **yâlad** (to bear young, beget): As the root of `{{H4138}}`, this word is foundational to the idea of lineage and birth. It is used to describe the physical act of bringing forth children, as in the prophecy concerning Jerusalem's un-cared-for state on the day it was **born** [[Ezekiel 16:4]].
* `{{H776}}` **'erets** (country, land, earth): This term for a physical territory is often paired with `{{H4138}}` to describe a person's homeland. God calls Abram to leave both his **'erets** and his **môwledeth** [[Genesis 12:1]].
* `{{H1}}` **'âb** (father): This word is crucial for understanding lineage, a key component of `{{H4138}}`. It establishes patriarchal lines, as when Jacob is commanded to return to the land of his **fathers** [[Genesis 31:3]].
* `{{H517}}` **'êm** (mother): This term for a maternal parent further defines the family unit from which one's **nativity** is derived. Ruth is commended for leaving her father and **mother** and the land of her nativity to join a new people [[Ruth 2:11]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H4138}}` is significant, highlighting themes of identity, separation, and destiny.
* **Covenantal Separation:** The call to leave one's **kindred** is a foundational step in the covenant relationship. Abram must leave his past to embrace the future God has promised [[Genesis 12:1]]. This act of separation defines the beginning of the Israelite people.
* **Lineage and Heritage:** The concept of **kindred** or **nativity** establishes the basis for both physical and spiritual inheritance. Jacob's **issue** after Ephraim and Manasseh are to be called after their brethren in their inheritance [[Genesis 48:6]].
* **National and Spiritual Identity:** The term is used to define the collective identity of a people. Esther's concern is for the destruction of her **kindred** [[Esther 8:6]], and those facing an oppressing sword long to return to the land of their **nativity** [[Jeremiah 46:16]]. It represents the place and people to which one belongs.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H4138}}` is a rich term that connects a person's identity to their roots—their family, their lineage, and their native land. It is not merely a geographical or genealogical marker but a word that carries the weight of heritage and belonging. From God's call to Abram to leave his origins to Esther's courageous stand for her people, **môwledeth** underscores the profound biblical theme that where we come from is inextricably linked to who we are and the destiny God has for us.
TRV