Bible Word Study
יִצְהָר
Yitshâr · Jitshar, an Israelite
יִצְהָר
Jitshar, an Israelite
Definition
Yitshâr (Jitshar/Izhar) is a proper noun referring to a significant Levite in the Israelite lineage. He was the son of Kohath and the grandson of Levi, making him a key figure in the priestly and tabernacle service structure (Exodus 6:18, 21). As the father of Korah, he is ancestrally linked to the infamous rebellion against Moses and Aaron's authority recorded in Numbers 16:1. His descendants, the Izharites, are listed among the Levitical clans assigned specific duties in the worship of the tabernacle and later the temple (1 Chronicles 23:12).
Biblical Usage
The name Yitshâr appears exclusively in genealogical and organizational lists within the Pentateuch and Chronicles. It is used to establish the Levitical lineage, specifically within the Kohathite clan. All nine occurrences (e.g., Exodus 6:18, Numbers 3:19, 1 Chronicles 6:2, 18) serve to trace ancestry and define the divisions of Levitical service, highlighting the importance of hereditary roles in Israel's worship system.
Etymology
The name Yitshâr (יִצְהָר) is derived from the identical common noun H3323 (יִצְהָר), meaning 'fresh oil' or 'shining oil,' typically referring to high-quality, pure olive oil. As a personal name, it likely carried a positive connotation of freshness, anointing, or light, possibly expressing a hope for the child's character or destiny.
Semantic Range
While a personal name, Yitshâr's placement in the Levitical genealogy underscores the biblical theme of God's sovereign ordering of worship and community. His connection to Korah highlights the serious consequences of challenging God-appointed authority (Numbers 16). Understanding his role enriches the reading of Israel's priestly history, showing how individual lineages were integral to maintaining holy worship before God. In ancient Israelite culture, names were often meaningful and descriptive. Bearing a name derived from 'oil' (a substance associated with consecration, light, and honor) for a Levite—a tribe set apart for holy service—would have been culturally resonant. His genealogical record affirmed his family's identity, inheritance, and sacred responsibilities within the community. None directly applicable as a proper name. The root is shared with יִצְהָר (yitshâr, H3323) — the common noun for 'fresh oil.'
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]