יָחַשׂ (ya.cha.s)
ya.cha.s
to enroll
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 18 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb yachas means to enroll or register one’s lineage. In the Old Testament it appears primarily in historical books like Chronicles and Ezra, where it describes the act of tracing a family line back to its ancestors. This was not merely administrative paperwork; it established a person’s legal identity, tribal inheritance, and right to serve in religious duties.
The word is almost exclusively used in the Hithpael stem, which implies a reflexive action: to enroll oneself or to be counted within a specific genealogical record. This grammatical form highlights the personal and communal importance of knowing one’s place in Israel’s history. When Ezra lists those who returned from exile, he uses this verb to verify their ancestry, ensuring they could claim their heritage before the community.
Its root sense connects to reckoning or counting, linking identity with numerical record-keeping. By being enrolled in a genealogy, an individual was affirmed as part of the covenant people. This usage underscores how ancient Israel valued documented family history as a foundation for social and spiritual belonging.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The verb yachas points to the careful act of enrolling one’s lineage in ancient Israel. This was not just administrative record-keeping but a way to establish legal identity, tribal inheritance, and the right to serve in religious duties. When Ezra or Nehemiah recorded these lists, they were verifying who belonged to the covenant community.
For your faith today, this word reminds us that God knows exactly where we belong. Just as Israelites needed their names in the genealogical records to claim their heritage, you are known by name before God. Your identity is secure in His family, regardless of earthly status or past mistakes.
This sense of belonging brings peace. You do not need to prove your worth to be part of God’s people. He has already enrolled you in His family through Christ, giving you a permanent place and a clear inheritance that no one can take away.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 18 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ recording genealogy/ they4×
- recording genealogy/ they3×
- to/ have themselves enrolled2×
- they had themselves enrolled2×
- who/ had had themselves enrolled1×
- the/ [ones who] had had themselves enrolled1×
- for/ genealogical enrollment1×
- by/ genealogical enrolment1×
- and/ recording genealogies/ they1×
- a genealogical list1×
- [the] genealogical enrolment1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְ/הִתְיַחֵ֑שׂ2×
- הַ/מִּתְיַחְשִׂ֖ים2×
- הִתְיַחְשׂ֔וּ2×
- לְ/הִתְיַחֵ֖שׂ1×
- וְ/הִתְיַחְשָׂ֤/ם1×
- וְ/הִתְיַחְשָׂ֣/ם1×
- וְ/הִתְיַחְשָׂ֗/ם1×
- וְ/הִתְיַחְשָׂ֖/ם1×
- וְ/הִתְיַחְשָׂ֑/ם1×
- הִתְיַחֵ֥שׂ1×
- הִתְיַחֵ֖שׂ1×
- הִתְיַחְשָׂ֣/ם1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 2:62
These sought their place among those who were registered by genealogy, but they were not found; therefore they were deemed disqualified and removed from the priesthood.
This verse shows the serious consequence of losing one's genealogical record, as it resulted in disqualification from priestly service.
-
Nehemiah 7:5
My God put into my heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be listed by genealogy. I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up at the first, and I found this written in it:
Here Nehemiah explains his motivation for gathering records, showing how this enrollment was central to restoring the community after exile.
-
I Chronicles 9:1
So all Israel were listed by genealogies; and behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel. Judah was carried away captive to Babylon for their disobedience.
This summary statement highlights that the entire nation of Israel was subject to this genealogical listing before their captivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does yachas mean in the Bible?
Why is this word important for understanding Israel's history?
How is yachas different from other words for counting?
Every Occurrence (18 verses across 4 books)
I Chronicles 10 verses
and all their villages that were around the same cities, as far as Baal. These were their settlements, and they kept…
I Chronicles 5:1The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s couch, his…
I Chronicles 5:7His brothers by their families, when the genealogy of their generations was listed: the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariah,
I Chronicles 5:17All these were listed by genealogies in the days of Jotham king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam king of Israel.
I Chronicles 7:5Their brothers among all the families of Issachar, mighty men of valor, listed in all by genealogy, were eighty-seven…
I Chronicles 7:7The sons of Bela: Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri, five; heads of fathers’ houses, mighty men of valor; and they…
I Chronicles 7:9They were listed by genealogy, after their generations, heads of their fathers’ houses, mighty men of valor, twenty…
I Chronicles 7:40All these were the children of Asher, heads of the fathers’ houses, choice and mighty men of valor, chief of the…
I Chronicles 9:1So all Israel were listed by genealogies; and behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel. Judah was…
I Chronicles 9:22All these who were chosen to be gatekeepers in the thresholds were two hundred twelve. These were listed by genealogy…