יַ֫הַץה (ya.hats)
ya.hats
Jahaz
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
Yahats is the name of a town located east of the Dead Sea, in the territory of Reuben. The lexicon sources explain that the name means "trodden down" or "treading place," a fitting title for a site associated with military conquest. It appears eight times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in Joshua and Numbers.
This location is most famous as the stage for Israel’s victory over Sihon, king of the Amorites (Numbers 21:23-26). The name itself reflects the outcome of that battle: a place where enemies were trampled. Later biblical references, such as in Jeremiah 48:21, recall Yahats when describing judgment against Moab, linking its history of subjugation to future prophetic warnings.
Though the exact modern site remains uncertain, the word serves as a historical marker in Scripture. It reminds readers that this territory was once a stronghold of Amorite power before becoming part of Israel’s inheritance. The name Yahats stands as a permanent record of divine intervention and territorial shift in the ancient Near East.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Jahaz is a place name that literally means "trodden down" or "treading place." It marks the site where Israel defeated Sihon, king of the Amorites, as recorded in Numbers 21. This victory was not just a military success but a moment where God intervened to secure land for His people. The name itself serves as a permanent record of that divine help.
Later prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah used this location to describe judgment against Moab. In these passages, the same ground that saw Israel’s triumph became a symbol of sorrow when enemies faced consequences for their actions. This shift reminds us that history is shaped by God’s justice and mercy.
For your faith, Jahaz shows how God uses real places and events to reveal His character. It encourages trust in His promises, even when the path seems blocked. You can find comfort knowing that God is faithful to His word, whether bringing victory or calling for repentance.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Jahaz/ towards2×
- Jahaz/ <towards>2×
- Jahaz2×
- at/ Jahaz/ <towards>1×
- and/ Jahaz/ <towards>1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יַ֖הְצָ/ה2×
- יָֽהְצָ/ה\׃1×
- יָ֑הְצָ/ה1×
- יַ֙הַץ֙1×
- יַ֖הַץ1×
- וְ/יַ֥הְצָ/ה1×
- בְּ/יָ֑הְצָ/ה1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 21:23
Sihon would not allow Israel to pass through his border, but Sihon gathered all his people together, and went out against Israel into the wilderness, and came to Jahaz. He fought against Israel.
This verse introduces Jahaz as the battlefield where Sihon gathered his forces to stop Israel, setting the stage for God’s deliverance.
-
Deuteronomy 2:32
Then Sihon came out against us, he and all his people, to battle at Jahaz.
Moses recalls this encounter to remind the new generation that God fought for them at Jahaz, reinforcing trust in His protection.
-
Jeremiah 48:21
Judgment has come on the plain country— on Holon, on Jahzah, on Mephaath,
Here, Jeremiah uses Jahaz as a specific marker of judgment falling on Moab, showing how the place’s history carries prophetic weight.