יַעֲלָא (ya.a.la)
ya.a.la
Jaalah
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name ya‘ăla means “ascending” in Hebrew. It appears only twice in the Old Testament, serving as a proper noun for a man listed among those who returned from Babylonian exile.
He is identified as the head of a family descended from Solomon’s servants, recorded first in Ezra 2:56 and again in Nehemiah 7:58. The sources note that while some manuscripts use the form Jaalah, others render it Jaala, reflecting minor variations in transmission.
This name carries historical weight by marking one small thread in the larger tapestry of the post-exilic community. Its presence reminds readers that ordinary families played a vital role in rebuilding Israel’s identity after years of displacement.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Yaalah means 'ascending' or 'going up.' In the Old Testament, it appears only twice as a proper noun for a man listed among those who returned from Babylonian exile. He is identified as the head of a family descended from Solomon’s servants, recorded in Ezra 2:56 and Nehemiah 7:58.
While these verses may seem like simple genealogical records, they carry significant weight. They remind us that ordinary families played a vital role in rebuilding Israel’s identity after years of displacement. The presence of this name shows that God remembers even the smallest threads in the larger story of His people.
For your faith, this offers comfort. You are part of a long line of believers who have trusted God through difficult transitions. Just as these families returned to rebuild their community, you too can find strength in knowing that God is faithful to restore and renew, even in seasons of change.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Jaala2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יַעְלָ֥ה1×
- יַעְלָ֥א1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 2:56
the children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,
This verse lists the children of Jaalah among those returning from exile, highlighting his role as a family head in the post-exilic community.
-
Nehemiah 7:58
the children of Jaala, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,
Here, the name appears again with slight variation (Jaala), confirming the continuity of this family line in the restored community.