יוֹעֵד
Joed, an Israelite
Definition
Yoed (יוֹעֵד) is a proper noun referring to an Israelite man named Joed, mentioned only once in the Old Testament. The name appears in a genealogical list of the tribe of Benjamin, specifically among those who resettled in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. As a proper name, it carries the meaning 'appointer' or 'one who appoints,' derived from its verbal root. While the biblical text provides no narrative about this individual, his inclusion in Nehemiah's list signifies his recognized place within the post-exilic community.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively as a proper name in the Old Testament, occurring a single time in Nehemiah 11:7. It is found within a detailed census list recording the names of the heads of families who lived in Jerusalem. The context is administrative and genealogical, serving to document the repopulation of the holy city following the return from exile.
Etymology
The name Yoed is the active participle of the Hebrew verb יָעַד (ya'ad, H3259), meaning 'to appoint, meet, or assemble.' It literally translates as 'appointer' or 'one who appoints.' This root is used in significant contexts elsewhere, such as God appointing a time for meeting (e.g., Exodus 25:22). As a personal name, it likely expressed a hope or characteristic related to divine purpose or leadership.
Semantic Range
While the individual Joed is not a major biblical figure, his name's etymology connects to the important theme of divine appointment. The root verb (ya'ad) is used for God appointing times, places (like the tent of meeting), and purposes. In a post-exilic context, being named 'Appointer' might subtly reflect the community's focus on God's sovereign re-establishment of His people and their roles in the restored Jerusalem. It reminds the reader that even individuals in genealogical lists are part of God's appointed plan.
In ancient Israelite culture, names often carried significant meaning, reflecting circumstances of birth, parental hopes, or attributes of God. 'Yoed' ('Appointer') fits this pattern, possibly indicating the parents' hope that their son would be a leader or one who establishes order. Its use in a post-exilic list highlights the importance of lineage and recorded ancestry for reclaiming identity, land rights, and religious continuity after the disruption of the exile.
There are no direct synonyms for this proper name. However, it shares its root with: יָעַד (ya'ad, H3259) — the verb meaning 'to appoint, meet, assemble,' from which the name is derived.
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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