יִסְכָּה (yis.kah)
yis.kah
Iscah
N:N-F-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-F-P
Word Overview
The name Yiskah appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Genesis 11:29, where she is listed as the daughter of Haran and sister to Lot and Milcah. Though her story is not told in the text, the sources identify her meaning as "one who looks forth" or "seer." This etymology connects her name to the concept of vision or foresight.
As a member of Abraham’s extended family, Yiskah stands in the lineage that leads to the patriarchs. The fact that she is named alongside Milcah suggests she held a significant place in the family record, even if her personal narrative remains silent. Her name implies a spiritual perception or insight, distinguishing her within the genealogical list.
Translators typically render Yiskah as Iscah, preserving the phonetic sound while reflecting the traditional interpretation of her role. The brevity of her mention highlights how biblical names often carry theological weight beyond their immediate context. Her identity as a "seer" invites readers to consider the unseen spiritual realities present in the patriarchal narratives.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Yiskah, rendered as Iscah in Genesis 11:29, carries a meaning often understood as "seer" or "one who looks forth." Though the biblical text does not record her personal story or actions, her inclusion in the genealogy of Haran highlights the quiet dignity of those whose lives are known through lineage rather than narrative. In a world that often values visibility and public achievement, this brief mention reminds us that our worth before God is not determined by how much we are seen by others, but by our place in His unfolding plan.
Her name suggests a spiritual perception or insight, inviting readers to consider the unseen realities that shape our faith. While we may never know her thoughts or experiences, her presence in the family line of Abraham points to the broader tapestry of God's covenant people. This encourages us to trust that every individual, whether their story is fully told or left in silence, holds significance in the eyes of the Creator.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Iscah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יִסְכָּֽה\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 11:29
Abram and Nahor married wives. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah, the daughter of Haran, who was also the father of Iscah.
This verse identifies Iscah as the daughter of Haran and sister to Milcah, establishing her place within the patriarchal family line despite the lack of further narrative detail.