יֵשֶׁר
Jesher, an Israelite
Definition
Jesher (יֵשֶׁר) is a proper noun referring to an individual in the Israelite genealogical record. He is identified as a son of Caleb, born to his wife Azubah, as recorded in 1 Chronicles 2:18. The name itself means 'uprightness' or 'the right,' deriving from the Hebrew root for straightness or correctness. As a personal name, it likely carried a positive connotation of moral integrity or prosperity, reflecting the character hopes parents had for their child. No other narrative or historical details about this specific Jesher are provided in the biblical text.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the entire Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 2:18. Its usage is strictly as a personal name within a genealogical list. It appears in the context of the lineage of Caleb, son of Hezron, from the tribe of Judah. This pattern is typical for many names listed in the Chronicler's extensive genealogies, where individuals are mentioned solely to establish family descent without further narrative.
Etymology
The name Jesher (יֵשֶׁר) is directly derived from the Hebrew root יָשַׁר (yāšar, H3474), which means 'to be straight, right, or upright.' It is a noun form of this root. Cognate words include יֹשֶׁר (yōšer, H3476), meaning 'uprightness,' and the adjective יָשָׁר (yāšār, H3477), meaning 'straight, right, pleasing.' The name's meaning developed from the concrete idea of a straight path to the abstract concepts of moral correctness and prosperity.
Semantic Range
While the individual Jesher is not a major theological figure, his name is significant. It embodies the important biblical ideal of 'uprightness' (yōšer) before God. Understanding the root meaning enriches the reading of passages about God's delight in the 'upright' (Proverbs 11:20) and the 'way of the upright' (Proverbs 15:19). It connects a minor genealogical note to the broader scriptural theme of covenant faithfulness and righteous living expected within the community of Israel.
In ancient Israelite culture, names were often meaningful and descriptive, reflecting circumstances of birth, parental hopes, or attributes of God. Naming a child Jesher ('Uprightness') was a declarative act, expressing a desire for the child to embody moral integrity and success. This differs from many modern naming practices where sound or family tradition may be prioritized over semantic meaning. The name placed the individual within a cultural value system that highly prized righteousness and straight dealing.
יָשָׁר (yāshar, H3477) — An adjective meaning 'upright, straight, just,' describing a person's character. יֹשֶׁר (yosher, H3476) — A noun meaning 'uprightness, straightness,' often referring to moral integrity.
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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