יַפְלֵט
Japhlet, an Israelite
Definition
Yaphlêṭ (Japhlet) is a proper name meaning 'he will deliver' or 'may he deliver,' derived from the Hebrew verb pālaṭ. In the Old Testament, it refers to an individual named Japhlet, who is identified as a descendant of Asher, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. He is mentioned as the son of Heber and the father of Pasach, Bimhal, and Ashvath (1 Chronicles 7:32-33). The name appears only in these genealogical contexts, with no additional narrative or historical details provided about his life or actions.
Biblical Usage
The name Yaphlêṭ is used exclusively in genealogical records within the book of 1 Chronicles. It occurs twice in close succession, listing Japhlet as part of the lineage of the tribe of Asher (1 Chronicles 7:32, 33). This usage is typical of many proper names in Chronicles, which focuses on preserving Israelite tribal ancestry without narrative elaboration. There are no other occurrences or varied contexts in the Hebrew Bible.
Etymology
Yaphlêṭ is derived from the Hebrew root פָּלַט (pālaṭ, H6403), meaning 'to escape, deliver, or slip away.' It is formed as a hiphil imperfect verb form, translating to 'he will deliver' or 'let him deliver.' This name follows a common Hebrew pattern of theophoric or hopeful names expressing divine action or expectation, though it does not explicitly include the divine name (Yahweh). Cognates and related words include פְּלֵטָה (pelēṭâ, H6413) meaning 'escape' or 'deliverance.'
Semantic Range
While the name Yaphlêṭ itself is not central to major theological doctrines, its meaning ('he will deliver') reflects a broader biblical theme of God as deliverer and rescuer of His people. Understanding such names enriches reading by highlighting how Israelite culture often embedded theological hopes—like trust in divine salvation—into personal identities. In genealogies like 1 Chronicles, these names collectively underscore God's faithfulness to His covenant promises across generations, preserving lineage as part of His redemptive plan.
In ancient Israelite culture, names often carried significant meaning, reflecting circumstances, hopes, or attributes. Yaphlêṭ, meaning 'he will deliver,' likely expressed parental hope for divine protection or gratitude for a safe birth. As a name recorded in tribal genealogies, it also served to establish identity and inheritance within the community, emphasizing continuity and belonging in the tribe of Asher. This differs from modern naming conventions, which may prioritize sound or tradition over literal meaning.
פָּלַט (pālaṭ, H6403) — the root verb meaning 'to deliver' or 'escape,' from which Yaphlêṭ is derived. פְּלֵטָה (pelēṭâ, H6413) — a noun meaning 'escape' or 'deliverance,' sharing the same root. יְשַׁע (yēshaʿ, H3468) — a common Hebrew word for 'salvation' or 'deliverance,' with a broader theological scope.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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