יָשָׁן (ya.shan)
ya.shan
(Gate of) Yeshanah
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew adjective yashan describes something that is old, worn out, or stored away. Its root imagery suggests a withered plant, limp and lifeless, which helps explain why the word carries a sense of decay or fatigue alongside simple age. In biblical usage, it often modifies objects that have lost their freshness or vitality, such as old garments or stale food.
While it can simply mean "ancient," the term frequently appears in contexts involving storage or reserves, highlighting items kept for later use. This dual sense of age and preservation is visible in passages like Leviticus 19:32, where respect for the elderly is commanded, and Nehemiah 10:35, where contributions are designated for the temple's storehouses. The word captures the physical reality of things that have passed their prime.
Its connection to storage reflects a practical concern for resources in an agrarian society. By distinguishing between fresh provisions and those kept in reserve, yashan underscores the importance of planning and preservation. This linguistic nuance reminds readers that "old" is not merely a measure of time but often a descriptor of condition and utility within the biblical world.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word yashan often describes something that has aged past its prime, carrying a sense of weariness or decay rather than simple history. In an agrarian society, distinguishing between fresh harvest and old reserves was vital for survival. This linguistic reality reminds us that age can sometimes signal exhaustion or loss of vitality, not just the passage of time.
Yet Scripture also uses this term to highlight God’s provision through seasons of scarcity. When Israel ate from the 'old store' in Leviticus 25:22, it was an act of trust that God would sustain them even when resources seemed depleted. This word invites us to examine what we hold onto—whether our traditions, habits, or beliefs have become stale and lifeless, or if they still nourish our faith.
Respect for the elderly in Leviticus 19:32 stands as a counterpoint to this decay, honoring wisdom that time has refined. We are invited to consider how we treat those who have walked longer paths, recognizing their value rather than discarding them as outdated. May we seek freshness in our relationship with God, allowing His Spirit to renew what feels worn.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- old harvest3×
- the/ Jeshanah1×
- and/ old harvest1×
- <the>/ old1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יָשָֽׁן\׃1×
- יָשָׁ֖ן1×
- יָשָׁ֑ן1×
- וְ/יָשָׁ֕ן1×
- הַ/יְשָׁנָ֜ה1×
- הַ/יְשָׁנָ֑ה1×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 25:22
You shall sow the eighth year, and eat of the fruits from the old store until the ninth year. Until its fruits come in, you shall eat the old store.
This verse uses yashan to describe stored grain that sustains the people during a transitional year, highlighting God's provision through preserved resources.
-
Leviticus 26:10
You shall eat old supplies long kept, and you shall move out the old because of the new.
Here the word emphasizes the practical challenge of storing new harvests alongside old ones, illustrating obedience in times of abundance and scarcity.
-
Nehemiah 3:6
Joiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah repaired the old gate. They laid its beams and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars.
The repair of the 'old gate' shows yashan applied to structures that had deteriorated, requiring active restoration to maintain community safety and order.