יִדְלָף

Jidlaph, a Mesopotamian

Definition

Yidlaph (Jidlaph) is a proper noun referring to a son of Nahor and Milcah, making him a nephew of Abraham (Genesis 22:22). He is listed among the twelve Aramean tribes descended from Nahor, which established the broader kinship network from which the patriarchs emerged. His name, meaning 'tearful' or 'he will weep,' is derived from a Hebrew root suggesting dripping or weeping, though the narrative does not elaborate on any story behind the name. His sole mention serves to map the Aramean lineage connected to Abraham's family in Mesopotamia.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Genesis 22:22, within a genealogical list. It appears in the context of naming the sons born to Nahor, Abraham's brother, by his wife Milcah. The usage is purely onomastic and genealogical, serving to detail the Aramean ancestry and familial connections of the patriarchs, with no narrative action or repeated thematic usage elsewhere in Scripture.

Etymology

The name Yidlaph derives from the Hebrew root דָּלַף (dālap̄, H1811), meaning 'to drip, to weep.' It is a proper noun formed from this root, likely in a causative or imperfect verb form, yielding the sense 'he will cause to drip' or 'he will weep.' The name is semantically connected to the idea of tears or dripping liquid, though its application as a personal name follows the common ancient practice of using descriptive or verbal roots for names.

Semantic Range

While Yidlaph himself is not a theologically prominent figure, his inclusion in the genealogy of Genesis 22:22 is theologically significant. It highlights God's faithfulness in building a vast family from Abraham's lineage, as promised. The listing of Aramean descendants like Yidlaph underscores the providential preparation of the cultural and familial context from which the chosen line of Isaac and Jacob would emerge, contrasting the chosen lineage with the broader, covenantally distinct branches of Nahor's house.

In ancient Near Eastern culture, personal names often carried descriptive or aspirational meanings, and Yidlaph ('tearful') fits this pattern, though the reason for the name is not explained. As a son of Nahor, he belonged to an Aramean tribal group in Mesopotamia, reflecting the semi-nomadic, clan-based social structure of the patriarchs' kin. His mention in a genealogy served to establish identity, lineage, and social connections, which were of paramount importance for inheritance, marriage, and tribal alliances in that era.

Nahor (Nāḥôr, H5152) — his father and the progenitor of the Aramean line; Milcah (Milkâ, H4435) — his mother; Bethuel (Bəṯû’ēl, H1328) — his brother, who becomes father to Rebekah.

Word Details

Scripture References