יָנוֹחַ (ya.no.ach)
ya.no.ach
Janoah
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The name יָנוֹחַ (Yanoach) translates to "He rests." In the Hebrew Bible, this proper noun identifies two distinct locations within the territory of Israel, both carrying the same etymological sense of rest or settling.
One instance appears in 2 Kings 15:29, where King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria captures a city named Yanoah during his first campaign into Palestine. This location is generally identified as being in the northern region of Galilee, within the tribal area of Naphtali. The text records it as part of the broader conquest of cities like Abel-beth-maachah and Janoah itself.
A second reference places a different Yanoah on the border of the tribe of Ephraim. While the specific geography is less detailed in the provided sources, the name serves to mark territorial boundaries or settlements. In both cases, the word functions strictly as a geographical identifier rather than a theological term, anchoring historical events to physical places named for rest.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Yanoah means "He rests." It appears in Scripture as a place name, marking two distinct locations: one on the border of Ephraim and another in the northern territory of Naphtali. These were not merely abstract ideas but real towns where people lived, worked, and sought shelter.
When we read about Tiglath-pileser capturing Janoah in 2 Kings 15:29, we see how quickly peace can be shattered by war. Yet, the very name of the town points to a deeper longing. Every human heart desires a place of true rest, away from conflict and uncertainty.
While these verses record historical events, they remind us that our ultimate home is not found in any earthly city. We look forward to the rest that God provides, a spiritual settlement that no army can take away. This hope anchors us when the world feels unstable.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- from/ Janoah1×
- Janoah1×
- <to> Janoah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִ/יָּנ֖וֹחָה1×
- יָנֽוֹחָה\׃1×
- יָ֠נוֹחַ1×
Key Verses
-
II Kings 15:29
In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath Pileser king of Assyria came and took Ijon, Abel Beth Maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali; and he carried them captive to Assyria.
This verse highlights the fragility of earthly security, as a town named "rest" was conquered and its people taken captive by Assyria.
-
Joshua 16:6
The border went out westward at Michmethath on the north. The border turned about eastward to Taanath Shiloh, and passed along it on the east of Janoah.
Here, Janoah serves as a geographic marker on the border of Ephraim, showing how God assigned specific places to His people.
-
Joshua 16:7
It went down from Janoah to Ataroth, to Naarah, reached to Jericho, and went out at the Jordan.
This passage traces the boundary line from Janoah to Jericho, illustrating the careful division of the land that followed their journey.