יְרִיעוֹת

Jerioth, an Israelitess

Definition

Jerioth is a proper noun referring to an Israelite woman mentioned only once in the Bible. She is listed as a wife or concubine of Caleb, the son of Hezron, in the genealogy of Judah (1 Chronicles 2:18). The text states, 'Caleb the son of Hezron had children by Azubah his wife, and by Jerioth.' The exact nature of her relationship to Caleb (whether as a secondary wife or concubine) and her role in the lineage is not elaborated upon beyond this single genealogical record. Her inclusion serves primarily to document the descendants of Caleb within the tribe of Judah.

Biblical Usage

The word יְרִיעוֹת (Yᵉrîyʻôwth) is used only once in the Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 2:18. It functions strictly as a personal name within a genealogical list. There are no other contexts or patterns of usage, as it is a unique hapax legomenon (a word occurring only once) in the biblical text.

Etymology

The name Jerioth (יְרִיעוֹת) is the feminine plural form of the Hebrew noun יְרִיעָה (yᵉrîyʻâh, H3407), which means 'curtain' or 'drapery,' specifically referring to the curtains of the tabernacle. As a personal name, it is likely descriptive, possibly meaning 'curtains' in a symbolic sense. The plural form may imply beauty, covering, or perhaps even connection to the sacred tent, though its application as a name is opaque.

Semantic Range

In the cultural context of ancient Israelite genealogies, recording the names of wives and concubines, like Jerioth, was crucial for establishing lineage, inheritance rights, and tribal identity. While her specific story is untold, her inclusion signifies her role in producing descendants for Caleb, linking her to the broader narrative of God's promises to the tribe of Judah. Personal names were often meaningful, and a name derived from 'curtains' might carry connotations of protection, beauty, or separation, though the precise reason for her name is not explained in Scripture.

Word Details

Scripture References