יֵ֫צֶר (ye.tser)
ye.tser
Jezer
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 name Yeṣer identifies the third son of Naphtali, appearing in genealogical records such as Genesis 46:24 and Numbers 26:48. It serves as the eponymous ancestor for the family group known as the Jezerites, whose members are listed among the Israelite clans during the wilderness period. The name itself derives from a root meaning "to form" or "fashion," suggesting a connection to craftsmanship or deliberate shaping.
While this specific proper noun occurs only rarely in Scripture, its linguistic root carries significant weight elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible. The same word family describes God as the potter who forms humanity, highlighting a theological theme of divine creation and intentionality that contrasts with the simple genealogical listing of this ancestor.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Yeṣer appears in the genealogies of Naphtali’s descendants, marking a specific family line within Israel’s history. While these records might seem like simple lists of names, they remind us that every individual and clan has a place in God’s unfolding story. The word itself carries the sense of being formed or shaped, pointing to the care involved in creation.
This linguistic root invites reflection on how God fashions each person with intention. Just as a craftsman shapes material with purpose, Scripture suggests that our lives are not accidents but part of a deliberate design. Recognizing this can bring comfort, knowing that we are known and formed by a Creator who pays attention to the details.
When we look at these ancient names, we see the continuity of God’s people across generations. It encourages us to trust in the same God who shaped our ancestors, inviting us into His story today with hope for the future He holds for us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Jezer2×
- of/ Jezer1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/יֵ֥צֶר2×
- לְ/יֵ֕צֶר1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 46:24
The sons of Naphtali: Jahzeel, Guni, Jezer, and Shillem.
This verse lists Jezer as a son of Naphtali during the family's move to Egypt, anchoring his identity in a moment of transition and survival.
-
Numbers 26:49
of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites; of Shillem, the family of the Shillemites.
Here the text identifies the 'family of the Jezerites,' showing how this ancestor’s name became the marker for a distinct clan in the wilderness census.
-
I Chronicles 7:13
The sons of Naphtali: Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, Shallum, and the sons of Bilhah.
This genealogical record reiterates Jezer’s place among Naphtali’s sons, preserving his lineage for later generations of Israelites.