יִצְרִי (yits.ri)
yits.ri
Jezerite
N:N--PGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--PG
Word Overview
The word yitsri identifies a member of the Jezerite clan, a specific family group within the tribe of Naphtali. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, serving as a descriptor for one of the sons of Naphtali who traveled to Egypt with Jacob (Genesis 46:24). This single occurrence anchors the term firmly in the genealogical records of Israel’s early history.
Etymologically, yitsri is a gentilic adjective derived from the name Jezer. The root implies concepts of formation or purpose, suggesting that the clan’s identity was tied to its ancestor’s lineage rather than a specific geographic location or occupation. In this context, the word functions simply to distinguish this branch of Naphtali from others.
Although the term does not carry theological weight in narrative passages, it highlights the meticulous record-keeping of Israel’s tribal structure. By naming the Jezerites alongside other brothers like Jahzeel and Guni, the text preserves the memory of individual families that contributed to the larger identity of the tribe during the wilderness period.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Jezerite appears in Scripture as a marker of identity within the tribe of Naphtali. It points to a specific family line descended from Jezer, one of Naphtali’s sons. This detail reminds us that God knows each person and family by name, preserving their place in His grand story.
While the term itself carries no heavy theological weight, its presence in the biblical record shows how carefully Israel’s history was kept. Every clan, every branch, and every individual mattered to the community of faith. This attention to detail encourages us that our own lives and connections are known and valued by God.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Jezerite[s]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/יִּצְרִ֑י1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 26:49
of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites; of Shillem, the family of the Shillemites.
This verse records the census of Naphtali, explicitly naming the Jezerites as a distinct family group to show their continued presence and identity within the tribe.