יְעִישׁ

Jeish, the name of an Edomite and of a an Israelite

Definition

The Hebrew proper noun יְעִישׁ (Yᵉʻîysh) refers to the name of two distinct individuals in the Old Testament. First, it is the name of an Edomite chief, a descendant of Esau, as listed in the genealogical records of Genesis 36:5, 14, and 18. Second, it is the name of a Benjamite, a son of Bilhan, recorded in the tribal genealogy of 1 Chronicles 7:10. The name carries the connotation of 'hasty' or 'one who hastens,' derived from its root. There are no narrative stories attached to these figures; their appearances are solely within genealogical lists.

Biblical Usage

This name is used exclusively in genealogical contexts within the Hebrew Bible. It appears in the lineage of the Edomites in the book of Genesis and in the lineage of the tribe of Benjamin in 1 Chronicles. There are no narrative usages or patterns beyond these two family records. The specific verses are Genesis 36:5, 14, 18 and 1 Chronicles 7:10.

Etymology

The name יְעִישׁ (Yᵉʻîysh) is derived from the root עוּשׁ (ʻûsh, H5789), meaning 'to hasten' or 'to act hastily.' It is a proper noun formed from this verbal root, essentially meaning 'hasty one.' It is closely related to the name יְעוּשׁ (Yᵉʻûsh, H3266), which shares the same root and meaning, demonstrating a common naming convention based on character traits or hopes.

Semantic Range

In ancient Israelite and Edomite culture, names were often significant and descriptive, reflecting a character trait, a circumstance of birth, or a parental hope. The name יְעִישׁ, meaning 'hasty,' fits this pattern. Its presence in both Edomite and Israelite genealogies underscores the interconnected, though often contentious, familial relationship between the descendants of Esau (Edom) and Jacob (Israel), as originally depicted in the Genesis narrative.

יְעוּשׁ (Yᵉʻûsh, H3266) — A variant spelling of the same name, also meaning 'hasty,' used for different individuals (e.g., a son of Esau in Genesis 36:5, 14).

Word Details