Bible Word Study
יִמְנָה
Yimnâh · Jimnah, the name of two Israelites; also (with the article) of the posterity of one of them
יִמְנָה
Jimnah, the name of two Israelites; also (with the article) of the posterity of one of them
Definition
Yimnâh is a proper noun referring to two distinct Israelite men and, with the definite article ('the'), to their clan. First, Yimnâh is listed as a son of Asher (Genesis 46:17, 1 Chronicles 7:30), making him one of the original tribal ancestors. Second, a different Yimnâh is noted as the father of Kore, a Levite gatekeeper in the time of King Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 31:14). The term 'the Jimnites' (Numbers 26:44) refers to the clan descended from Asher's son, counted in the wilderness census.
Biblical Usage
The name appears four times in the Old Testament, primarily in genealogical and census contexts. It identifies individuals within the tribes of Asher and Levi. In Genesis 46:17 and 1 Chronicles 7:30, it establishes the lineage of Asher. In Numbers 26:44, it denotes his clan ('the Jimnites'). In 2 Chronicles 31:14, it identifies the father of a Levitical official during temple reforms.
Etymology
Derived from the root יָמַן (yāman, H3231), meaning 'to go to or choose the right hand' or 'to be prosperous.' The name Yimnâh carries the sense of 'prosperity' or 'good fortune,' as the right hand was culturally associated with strength and blessing.
Semantic Range
While primarily a personal name, its etymological connection to 'prosperity' (yāman) subtly reflects a biblical theme where names signify identity or divine blessing. Its use in the lineage of Asher—a tribe associated with blessing and richness (Genesis 49:20)—and in the lineage of a faithful Levite under Hezekiah may implicitly link the name's meaning of 'prosperity' to God's faithfulness across generations. In ancient Israel, names often conveyed meaning or parental hopes. Yimnâh, meaning 'prosperity,' likely expressed a desire for the child's success. Its appearance in tribal lists highlights the importance of genealogy for identity, inheritance, and covenant belonging within the nation. Asher (ʼĀšēr, H836) — The tribe to which the first Yimnâh belonged, meaning 'happy' or 'blessed.'
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]