Lexical Summary yacham: To be hot, to conceive, to be warm Original Word: יָחַם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance get heat, be hot, conceive, be warm A primitive root; probably to be hot; figuratively, to conceive -- get heat, be hot, conceive, be warm. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to be hot, to conceive NASB Translation conceived (1), mate (1), mating (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [יָחַם] verb be hot, Pi`el conceive (Arabic Qal see חמם. Pi`el Perfect3feminine singular suffix יֶחֱמַתְנִי Psalm 51:7 in sin my mother conceived me ("" חוֺלָ֑לְתִּי); Infinitive construct of heat of cattle in breeding, conception; בְּכָליַֿחֵם Genesis 30:41 at every breeding-heat of the flock (J); בְּעֵת יַחֵם Genesis 31:10 at the time of the flock's being hot in breeding (E); suffix 3 feminine plural לְיַחֲמֶנָּה Genesis 30:41 in order that they might have breeding-heat (J). Topical Lexicon Overview The verb יָחַם appears ten times within the Old Testament and consistently carries the idea of becoming warm or hot. The contexts range from literal bodily temperature, through animal breeding, to the stirring of human emotion. The variety of settings shows how Scripture employs a single term to illuminate both physical and spiritual realities. Physical Warmth and Coldness in Old Age In 1 Kings 1:1 the writer records, “When King David was old and well advanced in years, he could not keep warm, even when they put covers over him.” David’s inability to יָחַם underscores his frailty and prepares the narrative transition to Solomon’s succession. The king who once “ran against a troop” now needs assistance for the simplest bodily function. The verse reminds believers that earthly strength fades, directing hope toward the everlasting kingdom of David’s greater Son. Animal Husbandry and Divine Providence Five occurrences cluster in Genesis 30–31 as Jacob oversees Laban’s flocks. Genesis 30:38 notes that “the flocks were in heat when they came to drink,” and Jacob’s selective placement of the peeled sticks influences which animals conceive. The text attributes the prosperity not to superstition but to God’s covenant faithfulness (Genesis 31:9–12). יָחַם therefore links the natural process of breeding to divine oversight, illustrating that even the instincts of livestock serve the Lord’s larger redemptive plan. Human Passion and the Need for Legal Restraint Deuteronomy 19:6 warns that the avenger of blood might pursue the manslayer “while his anger is hot.” Here יָחַם describes emotion set ablaze. The establishment of cities of refuge tempers that heat, safeguarding both justice and mercy. The passage teaches civil authorities today to recognize the volatility of anger and to erect structures that preserve life until due process is complete. Theological Reflection on Conception and Original Sin Psalm 51:5 confesses, “Surely I was brought forth in iniquity; I was sinful when my mother conceived me.” David does not charge his mother with sinfulness in the act of conception; rather, he traces his guilt back to the moment יָחַם occurred. The verse forms a cornerstone for the doctrine that humanity’s sinful nature is innate, not merely the result of individual transgression. The seed of Adam is corrupt from its first stirring, emphasizing the necessity of new birth in Christ. Wisdom Literature and the Value of Companionship Ecclesiastes 4:11 observes, “Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone?” The preacher applies יָחַם to mutual support in a fallen world. Companionship is presented as a God-given remedy for isolation, whether in marriage, friendship, or Christian fellowship. The verse anticipates the church as a community where believers “encourage one another daily.” Metaphorical Heat within Prophetic Imagery Ezekiel 24:11 commands that Jerusalem be placed “on the coals till it becomes hot and its copper glows,” portraying judgment that purifies by fire. The heating of the pot (יָחַם) intensifies until corruption is exposed. The prophetic picture anticipates the final refinement of God’s people and cautions against complacency, for the same Lord who blesses with warmth can also scorch in discipline. Pastoral Reflections 1. God employs natural processes—conception, body temperature, emotional zeal—to accomplish covenant purposes; therefore, every sphere of life lies under His providence. Thus יָחַם, in its various shades of warmth, conception, and heat, testifies that the God of Scripture governs both the seen and unseen currents of life, moving creation toward His redemptive ends. Forms and Transliterations וַיֵּחַ֖מְנָה וַיֶּחֱמ֥וּ ויחמו ויחמנה יִחַ֖ם יֵחַם֮ יֵחָֽם׃ יֶֽחֱמַ֥תְנִי יַחֵ֣ם יַחֵם֮ יחם יחם׃ יחמתני לְיַחְמֵ֖נָּה ליחמנה תֵּחַ֜ם תחם lə·yaḥ·mên·nāh leyachMennah ləyaḥmênnāh tê·ḥam teCham têḥam vaiyeChamnah vaiyecheMu way·yê·ḥam·nāh way·ye·ḥĕ·mū wayyêḥamnāh wayyeḥĕmū ya·ḥêm yaChem yaḥêm yê·ḥam yê·ḥām ye·ḥĕ·maṯ·nî yeCham yecheMatni yêḥam yêḥām yeḥĕmaṯnî yi·ḥam yiCham yiḥamLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 30:38 HEB: לְנֹ֣כַח הַצֹּ֔אן וַיֵּחַ֖מְנָה בְּבֹאָ֥ן לִשְׁתּֽוֹת׃ KJV: to drink, that they should conceive when they came INT: front the flocks conceive came to drink Genesis 30:39 Genesis 30:41 Genesis 30:41 Genesis 31:10 Deuteronomy 19:6 1 Kings 1:1 Psalm 51:5 Ecclesiastes 4:11 Ezekiel 24:11 10 Occurrences |
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see inclauerunt pecora, Frey; Aramaic יְחַם be hot, usually of sexual impulse of animals) —