יָחִיד (ya.chid)
ya.chid
only
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew adjective yachid conveys the idea of being alone, unique, or singular. It describes something that stands apart as the only one of its kind, emphasizing a distinct solitude rather than mere quantity. In the Old Testament, this word appears in contexts ranging from personal isolation to divine uniqueness, always highlighting a state of being without equal or companion.
While it can simply mean "only" in a numerical sense, its most significant usage occurs in Genesis 22:2, where God calls Isaac Abraham’s yachid. Here, the term carries deep emotional weight, indicating that Isaac was the sole son of promise through whom Abraham’s lineage would continue. This specific application later influenced New Testament translators, who used the Greek cognate monogenes to describe Jesus as the "only begotten" Son, capturing both uniqueness and a special relational bond.
The word also appears in Psalms and Zechariah to describe solitary figures or unique objects, reinforcing its core meaning of exclusivity. By focusing on singularity, yachid helps readers understand the special status of individuals or things set apart for a particular purpose, whether in human relationships or divine interaction.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word yachid points to a profound singularity. It describes someone or something that stands alone, without equal or companion. This is not just about being one in a group, but about having a unique status that sets it apart entirely. When you encounter this term in Scripture, it reminds us of the special value God places on specific people and moments.
Its most famous use is in Genesis 22, where Isaac is called Abraham’s yachid. This label highlights the deep emotional weight of their relationship and the seriousness of the test Abraham faced. It shows that for God, some bonds are so distinct that they carry a weight beyond ordinary family ties. This understanding helps us see how deeply personal our connection with Him can be.
Even when used in contexts of mourning, as in Zechariah 12, the word underscores the intensity of loss and love. It invites us to recognize that God understands the depth of human attachment. We are invited to trust in a God who values each person uniquely, knowing that our lives matter to Him in ways that are singular and irreplaceable.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- only [son]/ your3×
- only [life]/ my1×
- and/ only [child]1×
- an only [son]1×
- an only [child]1×
- [was] an only [child]1×
- [am] solitary1×
- <the>/ only [son]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יָחִיד֙1×
- יָחִ֖יד1×
- יָחִ֔יד1×
- יְחִידָתִֽ/י\׃1×
- יְחִידָ֔ה1×
- יְחִידֶֽ/ךָ\׃1×
- יְחִידְ/ךָ֖1×
- יְחִֽידְ/ךָ֤1×
- וְ֝/יָחִ֗יד1×
- הַ/יָּחִ֔יד1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 22:2
He said, “Now take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go into the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I will tell you of.”
This verse establishes the term's emotional weight by identifying Isaac as the sole son of promise through whom Abraham's lineage would continue.
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Genesis 22:12
He said, “Don’t lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”
Here the word confirms Abraham’s fear of God, emphasizing that he did not withhold his unique and beloved son from the Divine.
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Zechariah 12:10
I will pour on David’s house and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the spirit of grace and of supplication. They will look to me whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for him as one mourns for his only son, and will grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for his firstborn.
The term describes the future mourning for the pierced one, illustrating a grief as deep as that for a singular, irreplaceable child.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does yachid mean in Genesis 22?
How is yachid different from other words for 'only'?
Where else does this word appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (10 verses across 7 books)
Genesis 3 verses
He said, “Now take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go into the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a…
Genesis 22:12He said, “Don’t lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not…
Genesis 22:16and said, “‘I have sworn by myself,’ says Yahweh, ‘because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son,…