יִתְלָה (yit.lah)
yit.lah
Ithlah
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The name Yitlah appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, listed among the fortified cities assigned to the tribe of Dan in Joshua 19:42. It is a proper noun, serving as a geographic marker rather than a theological term, yet its etymology offers a glimpse into ancient naming conventions.
Lexical sources identify Yitlah as meaning "he hangs." This likely refers to a physical feature of the location, such as a town built on a steep slope or cliffside where structures appeared to hang over the landscape. In an agrarian society, place names often described topography or local landmarks, making this a practical identifier for travelers and landowners alike.
As one of the southern settlements of Dan, Yitlah highlights the extensive territorial claims recorded in Joshua. The tribe of Dan eventually migrated north due to pressure from other groups, but the original allotment included these southern towns. The name itself remains a quiet reminder of how ancient Israelites named their world based on what they saw.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Yitlah appears just once in Scripture, listed among the fortified cities given to the tribe of Dan in Joshua 19:42. While it carries no direct theological command, its presence reminds us that God’s promises extend to every corner of the land He allotted. This small detail shows how carefully He tracked the inheritance of His people.
Yitlah likely means "he hangs," perhaps describing a town built on a steep slope or cliffside where structures seemed to hang over the landscape. In an agrarian society, such names served as practical markers for travelers and landowners. It reflects a world where geography and identity were closely tied to what people saw around them.
Though the tribe of Dan later migrated north due to pressure from other groups, this original allotment remains part of God’s recorded plan. For us today, these quiet geographic notes invite reflection on how faithfully God keeps His word, even in places we might overlook. They encourage trust in His timing and provision.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Ithlah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/יִתְלָֽה\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 19:42
Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah,
This verse lists Ithlah among the fortified cities assigned to Dan, marking it as part of God's specific territorial promise.