תִּירְיָא

fearful, Tirja, an Israelite

Definition

The Hebrew word תִּירְיָא (Tîyrᵉyâʼ) is a proper noun referring to an individual named Tirja. It appears only once in the Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 4:16, where Tirja is listed as a son of Jehallelel among the descendants of Judah. The word is also given a brief gloss meaning 'fearful,' likely derived from its etymological root. Therefore, the term functions primarily as a personal name, with its potential meaning ('fearful') serving as a descriptive element rather than a common noun in use.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively as a proper name for a person in a genealogical list. Its sole occurrence is in 1 Chronicles 4:16, within a chapter dedicated to the lineage of the tribe of Judah. There is no narrative or descriptive usage beyond this single listing, indicating its function is purely onomastic (name-related) within a record of ancestry.

Etymology

The name תִּירְיָא is probably derived from the Hebrew root יָרֵא (yārēʾ, H3372), which means 'to fear,' 'to revere,' or 'to be afraid.' As a proper name, it likely carries the sense of 'fearful' or perhaps one who is 'God-fearing.' This follows a common Hebrew practice of using descriptive terms or attributes as personal names.

Semantic Range

In ancient Israelite culture, personal names often held significant meaning, reflecting circumstances of birth, parental hopes, or character traits. A name like Tirja ('fearful') may have expressed a parent's emotional state or a hoped-for piety (fear of the Lord) in the child. Its preservation in a genealogy underscores the importance of lineage and identity within the covenant community.

יָרֵא (yārēʾ, H3373) — The primary adjective meaning 'fearful' or 'afraid,' from which the name is likely derived. פָּחַד (pāḥaḏ, H6342) — Another verb meaning 'to fear, tremble,' often with a sense of dread.

Word Details

Scripture References