יָשִׁישׁ
an old man
Definition
The Hebrew noun יָשִׁישׁ (yâshîysh) specifically denotes an old man, but with connotations of venerable age, wisdom, and established authority. In Job 12:12, it is paired with 'length of days' to emphasize that wisdom resides with the aged. However, in Job 15:10, Eliphaz uses it somewhat dismissively, referring to the 'gray-haired and the aged' as sources of conventional wisdom that Job is allegedly ignoring. The word thus carries a dual sense: it honors the dignity and experience of the elderly (Job 29:8) while also acknowledging that age alone does not guarantee true understanding (Job 32:6).
Biblical Usage
This word appears exclusively in the book of Job, all four times in poetic dialogue. It is used in debates about the source of true wisdom, contrasting the traditional authority of the aged with divine insight. In Job 12:12 and 29:8, it is used positively to associate age with wisdom and honor. In Job 15:10 and 32:6, it is used to challenge the assumption that age automatically confers superior understanding, setting the stage for Elihu's and ultimately God's speeches.
Etymology
Derived from the root יָשֵׁשׁ (yâshêsh, H3486), meaning 'to grow old' or 'to become aged.' This root conveys the process of aging. The noun יָשִׁישׁ is the concrete result—the person who has undergone that process. Cognates in other Semitic languages also relate to old age, reinforcing its core meaning.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant in the context of the book of Job, as it directly engages the theme of where true wisdom and authority originate. It challenges a simplistic equation of age with divine insight, pointing toward the necessity of God's revelation. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Job by highlighting the central tension between human tradition (embodied in the יָשִׁישׁ) and divine wisdom.
In ancient Israelite culture, old age was generally revered and associated with wisdom, honor, and the authority to speak in community matters (as seen in Job 29:8). The word יָשִׁישׁ reflects this high status. However, the book of Job critiques an unexamined cultural assumption, showing that respect for the aged must be balanced with a recognition that wisdom ultimately comes from God.
זָקֵן (zāqēn, H2205) — A more common term for 'old man' or 'elder,' often with an official, leadership connotation. זְקֵנִים (zeqēnîm) can refer to a council of elders. יָשִׁישׁ emphasizes the personal state of advanced age and its associated venerability.
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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