יָלִיד

יָלִיד

born

Definition

The Hebrew noun יָלִיד (yâlîyd) fundamentally refers to someone who is 'born' or 'native-born,' indicating a person's origin by birth. It most commonly describes a person born within a household, whether a child, a son, or a servant, as seen in the laws regarding circumcision for Abraham's household (Genesis 17:12-13, 23). In a broader sense, it can denote a native inhabitant of a land, such as the formidable descendants of Anak seen by the Israelite spies in Numbers 13:28. The term emphasizes the inherent status or identity derived from one's birth.

Biblical Usage

יָלִיד is used primarily in legal and narrative contexts to specify individuals born into a particular group or location. In Genesis, it repeatedly qualifies members of Abraham's household subject to the covenant sign of circumcision (Genesis 17:12-13, 23, 27). In Levitical law, it distinguishes a priest's home-born servant from one purchased (Leviticus 22:11). The word also appears in military contexts, describing the trained men born in Abraham's household (Genesis 14:14) and the native inhabitants of Canaan (Numbers 13:28). Its usage consistently ties identity and obligation to one's place of birth.

Etymology

יָלִיד is a passive participle derived from the root יָלַד (yālad, H3205), meaning 'to bear,' 'to bring forth,' or 'to beget.' As a participle, it literally means 'one who is born.' This root is prolific in Semitic languages, relating to childbirth and lineage. The noun form יָלִיד specifically focuses on the resultant person—the offspring or native—highlighting their origin from the act of bearing.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it touches on themes of covenant membership and identity. In Genesis 17, being 'home-born' (יָלִיד) in Abraham's household was a criterion for receiving the covenant sign of circumcision, illustrating how God's promises extended to the entire domestic community. It highlights that covenant relationship was not solely based on ethnic descent but also on household inclusion. Understanding יָלִיד enriches reading by showing how physical birth and social location were integrally connected to religious identity in the Old Testament. In ancient Israelite culture, a יָלִיד—whether a child, servant, or native—held a specific social standing. A home-born servant (as in Leviticus 22:11) typically had a more secure and integrated status than a purchased foreign slave. The term reflects a society where identity, rights, and obligations were deeply tied to one's birthplace and household, contrasting with modern, more individualistic concepts of identity. בֵּן (bēn, H1121) — A more general term for 'son' or 'child,' focusing on familial relationship rather than the specific circumstance of being 'born in the house.' עֶבֶד (‘eved, H5650) — Means 'servant' or 'slave'; a יָלִיד could be a type of עֶבֶד, but one specifically born into the household. תּוֹלָד (tôlāḏ, H8435) — Refers to 'descendants' or 'generations' as a collective, whereas יָלִיד is an individual born person.

Word Details