יַ֫חַשׂ (ya.cha.s)
ya.cha.s
genealogy
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun yaḥas refers to a record of lineage or family descent. In the Old Testament, it appears only three times, all within the post-exilic historical books of Nehemiah and Chronicles. The term functions as a technical label for the official registers that tracked who belonged to which tribe or clan.
Its usage is tightly bound to the restoration community in Jerusalem. For instance, Nehemiah 7:5 lists it alongside other civic records, highlighting how these genealogies served as legal proof of identity and inheritance rights after the Babylonian exile. The word underscores the importance of maintaining clear family lines to preserve the integrity of the returned community.
Unlike broader terms for kinship, yaḥas specifically denotes the written account itself rather than the abstract relationship. This precision reflects the practical needs of a society rebuilding its social and religious structures, where verifying ancestry was essential for land ownership and priestly service.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
In a world where identity is often defined by what we do or own, these ancient records remind us that who we are matters deeply to God. The Hebrew word yaḥas refers to the official lists kept by the returned exiles in Jerusalem. These were not just dusty archives but vital proofs of belonging, ensuring that families retained their inheritance and their place in worship.
When Nehemiah gathered these records, he was restoring order to a community scattered by trauma. For you, this highlights that your life is part of a larger story. God keeps track of His people with care, valuing each name and lineage. Your connection to the faith community is real and cherished, just as those ancient registers preserved the integrity of Israel.
This focus on heritage encourages us to value our spiritual roots. It invites you to see yourself not as an isolated individual but as a link in a long chain of faithfulness. Whether your family history is intact or complex, God’s record of you is secure and purposeful.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ genealogy1×
- and/ to/ genealogical enrolment1×
- [the] genealogical enrolment of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/לְ/הִתְיַחֵ֗שׂ1×
- הַ/יַּ֙חַשׂ֙1×
- הִתְיַחֵ֤שׂ1×
Key Verses
-
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:
This verse shows the word functioning as a civic tool for restoring social order after exile, proving that identity was legally tied to these written records.
-
II Chronicles 31:17
and those who were listed by genealogy of the priests by their fathers’ houses, and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their offices by their divisions;
Here the term specifies the priestly and Levitical lines, emphasizing that accurate genealogy was essential for maintaining proper religious service.
-
II Chronicles 31:18
and those who were listed by genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation; for in their office of trust they sanctified themselves in holiness.
The inclusion of wives and children in this listing demonstrates that the community's holiness and trust extended to every member, not just the leaders.