Lexical Summary yachas: genealogy Original Word: יַחַשׂ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance genealogy From yachas; a pedigree or family list (as growing spontaneously) -- genealogy. see HEBREW yachas NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition genealogy NASB Translation genealogy (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs יַ֫חַשׁ noun [masculine] genealogy (Late Hebrew יַחַס יִחוּס Aramaic יִחוּס) — סֵפֶר הַיַּ֫חַשׂ Nehemiah 7:5 book of Genealogy. Topical Lexicon Overview יַחַשׂ denotes the formal act or document of genealogical enrollment-a written record that verifies lineage and establishes a person’s rightful standing within the covenant community. While the root verb emphasizes the process of tracing ancestry, this noun points to the finished register itself, a tangible affirmation that one belongs to the people whom the Lord has set apart for His service. Canonical Occurrences • 2 Chronicles 31:17—Hezekiah’s reforms distribute provisions “to the priests enrolled according to their families in the genealogy.” Historical Background In the united monarchy, genealogies already existed, but the Assyrian and Babylonian invasions scattered families and threatened tribal and priestly continuity. When Hezekiah (circa 715–686 BC) purged idolatry and reinstated temple worship, he revived the use of יַחַשׂ to verify legitimate priests and Levites (2 Chronicles 29–31). Nearly three centuries later, Nehemiah used an earlier register to re-establish communal order in Jerusalem (Nehemiah 7; cf. Ezra 2). Thus the same term bookends two pivotal moments of renewal: Hezekiah’s revival before exile and Nehemiah’s restoration after exile. Function in Temple and Post-Exilic Administration 1. Authentication of Priesthood: Only descendants of Aaron could handle the altar (Exodus 29:9). The יַחַשׂ prevented unauthorized ministry, protecting Israel from judgment (Numbers 16). Theological Implications • God’s Faithfulness Across Generations: The preservation of names, even through exile, demonstrates the Lord’s covenant loyalty (Psalm 105:8–10). Continued Relevance Believers today do not rely on genealogical pedigree for priesthood, because in Christ “there is neither Jew nor Greek” (Galatians 3:28); yet the principle of orderly recognition endures. Church membership rolls, pastoral ordination councils, and missionary credentialing all echo the ancient יַחַשׂ by affirming authentic calling and safeguarding doctrine. Moreover, the written Book of Life (Revelation 21:27) represents the consummate, Spirit-kept יַחַשׂ, guaranteeing that all who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ are eternally registered among His people. Forms and Transliterations הִתְיַחֵ֤שׂ הַיַּ֙חַשׂ֙ היחש התיחש וּלְהִתְיַחֵ֗שׂ ולהתיחש haiYachas hay·ya·ḥaś hayyaḥaś hiṯ·ya·ḥêś hityaChes hiṯyaḥêś ū·lə·hiṯ·ya·ḥêś ulehityaChes ūləhiṯyaḥêśLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Chronicles 31:17 HEB: וְאֵ֨ת הִתְיַחֵ֤שׂ הַכֹּהֲנִים֙ לְבֵ֣ית INT: genealogy as the priests households 2 Chronicles 31:18 Nehemiah 7:5 3 Occurrences |
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