יַעְרָה
Jarah, an Israelite
Definition
Jarah is a proper name referring to an Israelite individual, specifically a descendant of Saul from the tribe of Benjamin. The name appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in 1 Chronicles 9:42, where Jarah is listed as a son of Ahaz. As a proper name, it carries no other semantic senses or meanings beyond this specific personal identifier. The name is part of a detailed genealogy recorded in Chronicles, emphasizing the continuity of the Benjamite line.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively as a proper noun in the Old Testament, appearing only in 1 Chronicles 9:42 within a genealogical list. It functions solely to identify an individual within the lineage of King Saul. There are no other contexts, books, or patterns of usage, as it is a hapax legomenon (a word occurring only once).
Etymology
The name Jarah (יַעְרָה) is derived from the Hebrew root י-ע-ר (y-'-r), relating to 'forest' or 'honeycomb.' It is explicitly noted as a form of the feminine noun יַעֲרָה (ya'arāh, H3295), which means 'honeycomb.' Thus, the name likely carries a meaning associated with 'honey' or 'forest,' possibly implying sweetness or natural abundance.
Semantic Range
While the name Jarah itself is not theologically loaded, its inclusion in the genealogy of 1 Chronicles 9 is significant. This genealogy reestablishes the post-exilic community's connection to the tribe of Benjamin and the lineage of Saul, underscoring themes of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and the preservation of tribal identities. Understanding the name's meaning ('honeycomb') can symbolically remind readers of God's provision and the sweetness of His covenantal relationship with Israel.
In ancient Israelite culture, names often conveyed meaning or parental hopes. A name like Jarah, associated with 'honeycomb,' might reflect a desire for the child's life to be characterized by sweetness, prosperity, or natural blessing. Honey was a valued symbol of the land's goodness (e.g., Exodus 3:8). Recording such names in genealogies served to preserve family heritage and social identity, especially after the exile.
יַעֲרָה (ya'arāh, H3295) — the feminine noun meaning 'honeycomb,' from which the name Jarah is directly derived.
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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