יְטוּר (ye.tur)
ye.tur
Jetur
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The proper name Yetur, meaning “enclosed,” identifies a son of Ishmael and brother to figures like Nebaioth and Kedar in Genesis 25:15. As one of the twelve tribal founders listed in the genealogy, his name marks a specific lineage within the broader Arab peoples of the patriarchal era.
Later references in 1 Chronicles 5:19–21 shift focus from the individual to his descendants. The text describes these people as “Jeturites” who lived east of the Jordan and engaged in battle against Israel. This historical usage connects the name to a distinct group, often identified with the region known as Ituraea, highlighting their role as neighbors and adversaries in ancient conflicts.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Jetur means "enclosed," a detail that might seem small in a long list of ancestors. Yet it reminds us that God keeps careful track of every family line, even those on the edges of Israel's story. In Genesis, he appears as one of Ishmael’s sons, showing that God’s promises extend beyond a single tribe to include many peoples.
Later, his descendants are mentioned in 1 Chronicles as a group living east of the Jordan. Their interactions with Israel show that history is full of complex relationships between neighbors. This helps us see that God’s plan includes all nations, not just one people. We can trust that He is sovereign over every lineage and every conflict.
When we read these names, we are invited to appreciate the breadth of God’s creation. It encourages us to look beyond our immediate circle and recognize the value of every person in His sight. This perspective fosters a sense of peace and humility as we consider our place in His grand story.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Jetur2×
- and/ Jetur1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יְט֥וּר2×
- וִ/יט֥וּר1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 25:15
Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah.
This verse lists Jetur among Ishmael's sons, establishing his role as a tribal founder in the patriarchal narrative.
-
I Chronicles 1:31
Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These are the sons of Ishmael.
Here the genealogy is repeated to confirm the lineage of Ishmael's descendants for historical record.
-
I Chronicles 5:19
They made war with the Hagrites, with Jetur, and Naphish, and Nodab.
This occurrence highlights Jetur's descendants as a distinct group involved in conflict with Israel, showing their historical presence.