The Hebrew name ʻÎyr Nâchâsh, represented by H5904, translates as city of a serpent. It is defined as Ir-Nachash, a place in Palestine, and its anglicized form is Irnahash. This name is exceptionally rare, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible, marking it as a specific and singular reference within the scriptural record.
The sole appearance of H5904 is within a genealogical listing in the book of 1 Chronicles. The verse states, "And Eshton begat Bethrapha, and Paseah, and Tehinnah the father of Irnahash" 1 Chronicles 4:12. In this context, Irnahash is not a person but a place, and Tehinnah H8468 is identified as its "father" H1, likely signifying him as its founder or the progenitor of its inhabitants. The verse situates the location within a lineage connected to the "men of Rechah."
Several related words from its only context in 1 Chronicles 4:12 help establish its place in the biblical narrative:
- H8468 Tᵉchinnâh (Tehinnah, an Israelite): This is the individual named as the "father" of Irnahash, directly linking a person to the founding of the location 1 Chronicles 4:12.
- H1 ʼâb (father... chief, (fore-) father... principal): Used here to denote Tehinnah's role as the founder or principal ancestor associated with Irnahash 1 Chronicles 4:12.
- H3205 yâlad (to bear young; causatively, to beget... to show lineage): This verb forms the backbone of the genealogical record, establishing the line of descent that leads to the founding of Irnahash 1 Chronicles 4:12.
- H850 ʼEshtôwn (restful; Eshton, an Israelite): The progenitor mentioned in the verse who begat Tehinnah, placing Irnahash within a larger family tree 1 Chronicles 4:12.
- H582 ʼĕnôwsh (a mortal... a man in general): This term is used to collectively identify the people of this lineage as "the men of Rechah" 1 Chronicles 4:12, grounding the genealogy in a specific community.
- H7397 Rêkâh (softness; Rekah, a place in Palestine; Rechah): The place with which these men are associated, linking the family of the founder of Irnahash to another named settlement 1 Chronicles 4:12.
The significance of H5904 is rooted entirely in its genealogical function, highlighting key themes of ancestry and settlement.
- Founding of a Place: The primary role of Irnahash in the text is to serve as a geographical marker founded by a specific person. Tehinnah's status as its "father" H1 establishes a direct link between a lineage and the origin of a settlement 1 Chronicles 4:12.
- Genealogical Record: The name exists to complete a genealogical record. Its inclusion demonstrates the meticulous concern for preserving lines of descent and the history of how different clans and places were established. The action of "begat" H3205 is the central mechanism of this record.
- Communal Identity: The passage connects the founder of Irnahash to a larger group, "the men H582 of Rechah H7397" 1 Chronicles 4:12. This shows how individual family lines contributed to the formation of wider communities and settlements in ancient Israel.
In summary, ʻÎyr Nâchâsh H5904 is the name of a place, Irnahash, whose only mention anchors it firmly within a biblical genealogy. While its literal meaning is "city of a serpent," the biblical text does not expand on this, focusing instead on its origin through its "father," Tehinnah. Its importance lies not in any narrative action but in its function as a historical data point, illustrating the value placed on lineage and the founding of communities in the Old Testament record.
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