Lexical Summary Yachmay: Yachmay Original Word: יַחְמַי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Jahmai Probably from yacham; hot; Jachmai, an Israelite -- Jahmai. see HEBREW yacham NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as cham Definition "may He protect," a man of Issachar NASB Translation Jahmai (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs יַחְמַי proper name, masculine (perhaps= יַחְמְיָה may ׳י protect ! compare Sabean יחמאל Hal187) — a man of Issachar 1 Chronicles 7:2, ᵐ5 Ειικαν, A Ιεμου, ᵐ5L Ιαμιν. Topical Lexicon Identity and Lineage Jahmai is named among the six sons of Tola, the first-born of Issachar (1 Chronicles 7:2). As such, he forms part of the third generation after the patriarch Jacob and stands within the covenant line that received Jacob’s blessing in Genesis 49:14-15. His appearance in the tribal genealogy underscores Scripture’s concern to trace God’s faithfulness from one generation to the next. Placement within the Tribal Records 1 Chronicles 7 provides a census-style list whose purpose is twofold: (1) to legitimize the post-exilic community by linking it to pre-exilic roots and (2) to celebrate God’s preservation of the tribes. Jahmai’s inclusion offers concrete proof that Issachar’s family line endured. The text notes that “in the days of David, the number of their descendants listed by genealogy was 22,600” (1 Chronicles 7:2), which situates Jahmai within a military context and suggests that his clan supplied able-bodied men for the united monarchy’s standing forces. Historical Setting While Jahmai himself is not described as performing a specific deed, the chronicler ties his family to King David’s era—a time of national consolidation, temple planning, and covenant renewal. The numerical strength of Tola’s lineage during this period hints at the tribe’s stability and readiness to support David’s kingdom, fulfilling Moses’ earlier blessing that Issachar would “call the peoples to the mountain” (Deuteronomy 33:19). Theological Significance 1. Covenant Continuity: Jahmai’s brief mention affirms that every Israelite household, however small, plays a role in the outworking of redemptive history. Ministry and Practical Application • Value of Hidden Service: Jahmai’s anonymity in the biblical record demonstrates that significance is measured not by notoriety but by fidelity to one’s God-given place. Related Scriptures and Themes Genesis 46:13 – Issachar’s sons listed at Israel’s descent into Egypt. Numbers 26:23-25 – Second census of Issachar in the wilderness. 1 Chronicles 12:32 – Men of Issachar “who understood the times” support David. Psalm 78:6-8 – The mandate to teach God’s acts “to the next generation.” Summary Though Scripture records Jahmai only in a single verse, his presence in the inspired genealogy testifies that God remembers every name, integrates each life into His grand narrative, and calls every believer—prominent or obscure—to faithfulness within the covenant community. Forms and Transliterations וְיַחְמַ֨י ויחמי veyachMai wə·yaḥ·may wəyaḥmayLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 7:2 HEB: וּרְפָיָ֡ה וִֽ֠ירִיאֵל וְיַחְמַ֨י וְיִבְשָׂ֜ם וּשְׁמוּאֵ֗ל NAS: Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam KJV: and Jeriel, and Jahmai, and Jibsam, INT: and Rephaiah and Jeriel and Jahmai and Jibsam and Shemuel 1 Occurrence |
    |