### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Tachănîy**, represented by `{{H8470}}`, is a patronymic term meaning a **Tachanite** (collectively) or the descendants of Tahan. It is derived from the proper name Tahan `{{H8465}}`. This word is highly specific, appearing only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the entire Bible, where it serves to identify a particular family line.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole use of `{{H8470}}` is found in a genealogical record in the book of Numbers. During a census of the tribes of Israel, the descendants of Ephraim are listed according to their families. The verse states, "of Tahan, the family of the **Tahanites**" [[Numbers 26:35]]. This context firmly establishes the word's function as a label for a specific clan, identifying them as the direct offspring of an ancestor named Tahan.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide the genealogical framework for understanding `{{H8470}}`:
* `{{H8465}}` **Tachan**: This is the proper name from which the term is derived, meaning "station; Tahan, the name of two Israelites." It identifies the patriarch of the Tahanite family [[Numbers 26:35]].
* `{{H4940}}` **mishpâchâh**: Defined as "a family, i.e. circle of relatives... by extension a tribe or people." This word appears alongside `{{H8470}}` to specify that the Tahanites constitute a distinct family unit. It is a foundational term for the organization of Israelite society [[Leviticus 25:10]].
* `{{H1121}}` **bên**: Meaning "a son (as a builder of the family name)." The entire census in which `{{H8470}}` appears is an accounting of the "sons" of the tribes, highlighting the importance of sons for establishing lineage and family identity [[Numbers 26:35]].
### Theological Significance
While appearing only once, the existence of a term like `{{H8470}}` carries significance within the biblical record. It highlights a precise and orderly view of God's people.
* **Genealogical Precision:** The naming of the **Tahanites** demonstrates the meticulous detail with which the lineage of the tribes of Israel was recorded, ensuring that each family had a recognized place within the nation.
* **Familial Identity:** The term reinforces the importance of the family unit, or `{{H4940}}` `mishpâchâh`, as the core building block of the nation. God's covenant relationship was not just with individuals but with the collective families of Israel [[Amos 3:2]].
* **Covenantal Posterity:** The identification of descendants like the Tahanites serves as evidence of God's faithfulness in multiplying the "sons" `{{H1121}}` of the patriarchs, fulfilling promises of posterity.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H8470}}` **Tachănîy** is a specific genealogical identifier used to name a single family clan descended from Tahan. Its appearance in the census of Numbers, though singular, underscores the biblical emphasis on precise lineage, the foundational role of the family in Israel's structure, and the detailed accounting of God's covenant people. It is a clear example of how the biblical text tracks the specific lines of descent that constitute the nation of Israel.
TRV