יֶ֫לֶד (ye.led)
ye.led
youth
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 73 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun yeled refers to a child, son, or youth, encompassing anyone from a newborn infant to an older boy. Its core meaning is simply "one who is born," derived from the verb yalad. This broad scope allows it to describe literal offspring, as seen when Moses is discovered in the Nile (Exodus 2:3), or to denote a young man past infancy, such as David in his youth (1 Kings 12:8).
While often translated as "child" or "son," yeled can also carry poetic weight. In Isaiah 9:5, it is used for the royal heir, highlighting the dignity of the position rather than just the age. The term appears frequently in Genesis and Samuel to track family lines and the development of key figures, showing that it covers the entire span of early life.
Translators sometimes render yeled as "young man" when the context implies maturity, distinguishing it from smaller infants. This flexibility reflects its focus on the status of being born rather than a specific age bracket. The word grounds biblical narratives in the reality of human growth and family continuity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word yeled captures the wide spectrum of early life, from a newborn in a basket to a young man standing before kings. It reminds us that every stage of growth is known and valued by God. In the story of Moses, we see how this helpless infant was protected and prepared for a great purpose. This perspective offers comfort when we look at our own children or the younger generation around us.
Family continuity is woven into these narratives. When Jacob presents his sons to Esau, he acknowledges them as gifts from God. The term grounds biblical history in real human relationships, showing that faith is passed down through generations. It invites us to see the dignity in every child, regardless of their age or status.
Whether a baby crying in a reed basket or a youth making decisions, yeled highlights the reality of human development. We can trust that God is present in these early years, shaping character and destiny. This understanding encourages patience and hope as we watch young people grow into their calling.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 73 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ child25×
- the/ youths5×
- the/ children5×
- the/ young men4×
- the/ lad4×
- the/ boy4×
- and/ children/ her3×
- young/ their2×
- the/ [male] children2×
- children/ my2×
- children/ her2×
- children2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/יְלָדִים֙8×
- הַ/יָּֽלֶד\׃5×
- הַ/יֶּ֖לֶד5×
- הַ/יָּ֑לֶד4×
- הַ/יֶּ֗לֶד4×
- הַ/יֶּ֔לֶד4×
- הַ/יְלָדִ֔ים4×
- הַ/יֶּ֣לֶד3×
- יַלְדֵי/הֶ֑ן2×
- יְלָדִֽים\׃2×
- הַ/יֶּ֥לֶד2×
- הַ/יֶּ֤לֶד2×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 21:8
The child grew and was weaned. Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned.
This verse marks a specific milestone of growth and health, showing the child reaching an age where he can be weaned, which was a significant celebration in ancient culture.
-
Exodus 2:3
When she could no longer hide him, she took a papyrus basket for him, and coated it with tar and with pitch. She put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river’s bank.
The term describes the vulnerable infant Moses placed in the basket, emphasizing his complete dependence and the danger of his situation before God's intervention.
-
Genesis 44:20
We said to my lord, ‘We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother; and his father loves him.’
Here the word refers to Benjamin as a 'child of his old age,' highlighting his unique status as the youngest son and the deep emotional bond with his father.
-
Genesis 33:5
He lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, “Who are these with you?” He said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.”
Jacob identifies his children as gifts from God, using the term to acknowledge their value and the divine provision in his family line during a tense reunion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word yeled mean?
How is yeled different from ben?
Where does yeled appear in the Bible?
Does yeled always mean a very young child?
Every Occurrence (73 verses across 18 books)
Genesis 16 verses
Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice. You wives of Lamech, listen to my speech, for I have slain a…
Genesis 21:8The child grew and was weaned. Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned.
Genesis 21:14Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread and a container of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her…
Genesis 21:15The water in the container was spent, and she put the child under one of the shrubs.
Genesis 21:16She went and sat down opposite him, a good way off, about a bow shot away. For she said, “Don’t let me see the death of…
Genesis 30:26Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, and let me go; for you know my service with which I have…
Genesis 33:1Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau was coming, and with him four hundred men. He divided the…
Genesis 33:2He put the servants and their children in front, Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph at the rear.
Genesis 33:5He lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, “Who are these with you?” He said, “The children…
Genesis 33:6Then the servants came near with their children, and they bowed themselves.
Genesis 33:7Leah also and her children came near, and bowed themselves. After them, Joseph came near with Rachel, and they bowed…
Genesis 33:13Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are tender, and that the flocks and herds with me have their young,…
Genesis 33:14Please let my lord pass over before his servant, and I will lead on gently, according to the pace of the livestock that…
Genesis 37:30He returned to his brothers, and said, “The child is no more; and I, where will I go?”
Genesis 42:22Reuben answered them, saying, “Didn’t I tell you, saying, ‘Don’t sin against the child,’ and you wouldn’t listen?…
Genesis 44:20We said to my lord, ‘We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead,…