Lexical Summary Yechiyyah: Yechiyyah Original Word: יְחִיָּה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Jehiah From chayah and Yahh; Jah will live; Jechijah, an Israelite -- Jehiah. see HEBREW chayah see HEBREW Yahh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom chayah and Yah Definition "may Yah live," an Isr. NASB Translation Jehiah (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs יְחִיָּה proper name, masculine (may Yah live) keeper of the ark 1 Chronicles 15:24 (ᵐ5 Ιε(α)ια, ᵐ5L Ιειηλ). חיל see I. II. חול above חַיִל, חֵיל, חִיל, חִילָה, חֵילָם, חֵילָן see below I. II. חול above חִין see below חנן. חִיצוֺן, חַיִץ see below I. II. חוץ. חֵיק see below חוק. חִירָה see below I. חור. חִירָם, חִירוֺם see below אח, אחה above. חֵךְ see below חנך. Topical Lexicon Theological Significance of the Name Yechiah (יְחִיָּה) proclaims, by its very sound, that “Yah lives.” In Israel’s corporate memory this was more than a personal confession; it was a public witness that the covenant God is the ever-living God who sustains His people and keeps His promises. Biblical Context 1 Chronicles 15 records David’s carefully organized, God-centered procession that brought the Ark of the Covenant from Obed-edom’s house to Jerusalem. After the tragedy of Uzzah (1 Chronicles 13:9–10), David sought the Lord’s will, consulted the Torah regarding priestly duties, and assembled the Levites in meticulous order. Within this context, “Obed-edom and Jehiah were also to be gatekeepers for the ark” (1 Chronicles 15:24). Historical Setting David’s reign marked a decisive shift from tribal confederacy to a centralized monarchy with Jerusalem as both political and liturgical center. The Ark’s arrival in the city symbolized Yahweh’s enthronement amid His people (Psalm 132:13–14). Yechiah’s brief appearance situates him in a watershed moment when the worship life of Israel was being codified and publicly re-anchored in scriptural obedience. Levitical Ministry Role Gatekeepers guarded the thresholds of the sanctuary, regulating access and ensuring purity: • Protection of holiness—no unauthorized person could draw near (Numbers 18:3–5). By assigning Yechiah as a gatekeeper, David underscored that reverence and regulation are not optional extras but integral to joyful worship. Trumpets, Gatekeepers, and the Voice of God Although Yechiah himself is not listed among the trumpet-blowing priests, his station complements their task. Trumpets announced the Ark’s movement (Numbers 10:1–10), while gatekeepers ensured the sanctity of that movement. Together they provided audible and structural testimony that the living God was in the midst of His people. The harmonious interplay between sound and safeguard illustrates how God’s presence is both celebrated and protected. Spiritual Lessons 1. The indispensability of “minor” servants Scripture names Yechiah only once, yet his faithfulness contributed to one of Israel’s most joyous liturgical events. The chronicler’s inclusion of his name reminds believers that God notices every act of obedience, however small (Hebrews 6:10). 2. Life from the Living God Yechiah’s very name embodies the truth that the Lord is alive. In contrast to the mute idols of surrounding nations, Yahweh intervenes in history, brings judgment, and grants life (Deuteronomy 32:39–40). 3. Holiness safeguarded The gatekeeper’s post teaches that divine presence demands moral and ritual readiness. New-covenant worship likewise requires approaching God “with a true heart in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:22). Christological Foreshadowing The Ark ultimately typifies Jesus Christ, the fullest manifestation of God’s presence (John 1:14; Colossians 2:9). Just as Yechiah guarded the Ark’s entrance into Jerusalem, so Christ’s people are called to preserve the gospel’s purity as it enters the hearts of men (2 Timothy 1:14). The living God whom Yechiah’s name extols is the One who, in the resurrection of Jesus, has vindicated His own life and power (Acts 2:24). Applications for the Church Today • Cultivate reverent joy—celebration and holiness are not opposites but partners. Related Texts for Further Study Numbers 4:3–15; Numbers 10:1–10; 2 Samuel 6:12–15; Psalm 24:7–10; Psalm 68:24–27; 1 Corinthians 4:1–2; Revelation 11:19. Summary Though mentioned only once, Yechiah stands as a living witness to the God who lives, a gatekeeper whose vigilance helped usher the Ark—and therefore the visible symbol of divine presence—into the heart of Israel’s worship. His life invites every believer to faithful, reverent service before the living Lord. Forms and Transliterations וִֽיחִיָּ֔ה ויחיה vichiYah wî·ḥî·yāh wîḥîyāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 15:24 HEB: וְעֹבֵ֤ד אֱדֹם֙ וִֽיחִיָּ֔ה שֹׁעֲרִ֖ים לָאָרֽוֹן׃ NAS: Obed-edom and Jehiah also [were] gatekeepers KJV: and Obededom and Jehiah [were] doorkeepers INT: of God Obed-edom and Jehiah also gatekeepers the ark 1 Occurrence |
    |