Bible Word Study
יִתְרָן
Yithrân · Jithran, the name of an Edomite and of an Israelite
יִתְרָן
Jithran, the name of an Edomite and of an Israelite
Definition
Yithrân (Jithran) is a proper name given to two distinct individuals in the Old Testament. The first is an Edomite, a descendant of Seir the Horite, listed among the chiefs of Edom in Genesis 36:26 and 1 Chronicles 1:41. The second is an Israelite, a son of Zophah from the tribe of Asher, mentioned in 1 Chronicles 7:37. The name itself means 'excellent' or 'abundance,' derived from the Hebrew root for 'remain' or 'be left over,' suggesting a sense of preeminence or surplus.
Biblical Usage
The name Yithrân appears only three times in the Old Testament, always as a personal name. It is used in two distinct genealogical contexts: first, within the Edomite lineage in Genesis 36:26 and its parallel in 1 Chronicles 1:41, and second, within the Israelite lineage of the tribe of Asher in 1 Chronicles 7:37. There are no narrative stories associated with the individuals; their mention serves solely to establish genealogical records.
Etymology
The name Yithrân (יִתְרָן) is derived from the Hebrew root יָתַר (yāṯar, H3498), meaning 'to remain over, be left, excel, or abound.' It is a nominal form, likely meaning 'excellence' or 'abundance.' This root is also the source for the name Jethro (יִתְרוֹ). The name reflects a positive attribute of preeminence or surplus.
Semantic Range
While the name Yithrân itself is not theologically loaded, its inclusion in both Edomite and Israelite genealogies is significant. It subtly illustrates the interconnectedness of peoples in the biblical narrative and God's oversight of all family lines. For the Israelite reader, seeing an Edomite name meaning 'excellence' might challenge ethnic superiority, hinting that God's blessings and notable individuals exist outside the covenant line. Its presence in the Chronicler's extensive lists emphasizes God's faithfulness in preserving and recording every name within His sovereign plan. In ancient Semitic culture, names were often descriptive, conveying a hope or characteristic of the person. Yithrân, meaning 'excellence,' likely expressed a parental hope for the child's preeminence or abundant life. The dual appearance of the name in both Edomite and Israelite records reflects the shared linguistic and cultural heritage of the related peoples, despite their later historical conflicts. יֶתֶר (yether, H3499) — The noun form meaning 'abundance, excess, or superiority.' יִתְרוֹ (Yithrô, H3503) — Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, sharing the same root and connotation of excellence.
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]