3189. Yachath

Lexical Summary

Yachath: Jachath

Original Word: יַחַת
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Yachath
Pronunciation: yah'-khath
Phonetic Spelling: (yakh'-ath)
KJV: Jahath
NASB: Jahath
Word Origin: [from H3161 (יָחַד - united)]

1. unity
2. Jachath, the name of four Israelites

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Jahath

From yachad; unity; Jachath, the name of four Israelites -- Jahath.

see HEBREW yachad

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from chathah
Definition
"He will snatch up," the name of several Isr.
NASB Translation
Jahath (8).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

יַ֫חַת proper name, masculine (perhaps for יַחְתֶּה, יַחֲתֶה he (God) will snatch up) —

1 grandson of Judah 1 Chronicles 4:2 (twice in verse), ᵐ5 Ιεθ, ᵐ5^L Ιαωθ.

2 Levites:

a. 1 Chronicles 6:5; 1 Chronicles 6:28, ᵐ5 Ιεεθ, ᵐ5^L Ιααθ.

b. 1 Chronicles 23:10,11, ᵐ5 Ιεθ, ᵐ5^L Ιειηλ.

c. 1 Chronicles 24:22, ᵐ5 Ιναθ, ᵐ5^L Ιααθ.

d.2Chronicles 34:12, ᵐ5 Ιε(θ), ᵐ5^L Ιαεθ.

Topical Lexicon

Occurrences in Scripture

1 Chronicles 4:2; 1 Chronicles 6:20; 1 Chronicles 6:43; 1 Chronicles 23:10; 1 Chronicles 23:11; 1 Chronicles 24:22; 2 Chronicles 34:12 (Jahath is mentioned twice in 1 Chronicles 4:2, bringing the total to eight occurrences).

Genealogical Profiles

1. Judahite lineage – 1 Chronicles 4:2 traces a Jahath through Shobal of the clan of Zorath, anchoring the name in the tribe of Judah.
2. Gershonite Levites – Two Jahaths appear in the descendant lists of Gershon (1 Chronicles 6:20; 6:43), marking distinct generations that preserve the transmission of Levitical service from father to son.
3. Shimei’s household – In the Gershonite register of David’s day, Jahath stands as the firstborn of Shimei (1 Chronicles 23:10-11), reflecting primacy within his father’s clan.
4. Izharite supervision – A later Jahath, descended from Izhar through Shelomoth, surfaces among the twenty-four priestly divisions organized by David (1 Chronicles 24:22).
5. Merarite administration – In the reign of Josiah, a Jahath of the sons of Merari helps oversee temple renovations (2 Chronicles 34:12), showing the name’s spread across multiple Levitical branches.

Tribal Distribution

Although the earliest bearer is from Judah, every other occurrence belongs to Levi. The repeated appearance among Gershonites, Kohathites, and Merarites illustrates the common Levitical heritage of service, yet highlights the breadth of family networks that supported worship in Israel.

Levites Named Jahath and Their Ministry

• Temple Musicians and Gatekeepers: By David’s time “Jahath was the first” among Shimei’s sons (1 Chronicles 23:11). Because this section of Chronicles details those “set apart for the work of the house of the LORD” (1 Chronicles 23:6), Jahath is presumed to have participated in music, guarding, or other sanctuary duties.
• Priestly Division Leadership: The Jahath of 1 Chronicles 24:22 is listed in the roster that determined the order of service in the rebuilt tabernacle. His inclusion attests to competence, reliability, and standing among his peers.
• Construction Oversight: During Josiah’s reforms “Jahath and Obadiah, Levites descended from Merari” were placed over craftsmen repairing the temple (2 Chronicles 34:12). Their appointment signals administrative skill and integrity, vital to the revival that returned Judah to covenant faithfulness.

Participation in Josiah’s Reforms

The task under Josiah required safeguarding finances and ensuring craftsmen’s faithfulness (2 Chronicles 34:12-13). Jahath’s name is therefore linked with one of the greatest Old Testament renewals of worship, showing that centuries-old genealogies culminated in tangible service when the nation most needed spiritual restoration.

Theological Reflections

1. Continuity of Covenant Service – From the wilderness to post-exilic worship, the Chronicles record underscores unbroken lines of ministry. Jahath’s recurring name exemplifies how God preserves servants for every generation.
2. Diversity within Unity – Gershonites, Kohathites, and Merarites carried distinct tasks, yet shared a single purpose: honoring the LORD. Multiple Jahaths across branches mirror the New Testament body of Christ, many members yet one calling.
3. Faithfulness in the Ordinary – Most Jahaths stand in genealogies rather than narratives. Scripture honors their quiet obedience, reminding readers that hidden faithfulness undergirds public revival.

Practical Lessons for Believers

• Embrace heritage: Knowing one’s spiritual lineage encourages perseverance.
• Serve where placed: Whether organizing schedules, guarding entrances, or managing construction, each task contributes to corporate worship.
• Be ready for reform: Centuries of routine service prepared Jahath for Josiah’s critical hour. In the same way, daily faithfulness equips believers for unforeseen moments of revival and rebuilding.

Forms and Transliterations

וְיַ֣חַת ויחת יַ֔חַת יַ֣חַת יַ֥חַת יָֽחַת׃ יחת יחת׃ veYachat wə·ya·ḥaṯ wəyaḥaṯ ya·ḥaṯ yā·ḥaṯ Yachat yaḥaṯ yāḥaṯ

Englishman's Concordance

1 Chronicles 4:2
HEB: הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־ יַ֔חַת וְיַ֣חַת הֹלִ֔יד
NAS: the father of Jahath, and Jahath
KJV: begat Jahath; and Jahath
INT: of Shobal became of Jahath and Jahath the father

1 Chronicles 4:2
HEB: אֶת־ יַ֔חַת וְיַ֣חַת הֹלִ֔יד אֶת־
NAS: of Jahath, and Jahath became the father
KJV: begat Jahath; and Jahath begat Ahumai,
INT: became of Jahath and Jahath the father of Ahumai

1 Chronicles 6:20
HEB: לִבְנִ֥י בְנ֛וֹ יַ֥חַת בְּנ֖וֹ זִמָּ֥ה
NAS: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah
KJV: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah
INT: Libni his son Jahath his son Zimmah

1 Chronicles 6:43
HEB: בֶּן־ יַ֥חַת בֶּן־ גֵּרְשֹׁ֖ם
NAS: the son of Jahath, the son of Gershom,
KJV: The son of Jahath, the son of Gershom,
INT: the son of Jahath the son of Gershom

1 Chronicles 23:10
HEB: וּבְנֵ֣י שִׁמְעִ֔י יַ֣חַת זִינָ֔א וִיע֖וּשׁ
NAS: of Shimei [were] Jahath, Zina,
KJV: of Shimei [were], Jahath, Zina,
INT: the sons of Shimei Jahath Zina Jeush

1 Chronicles 23:11
HEB: וַֽיְהִי־ יַ֣חַת הָרֹ֔אשׁ וְזִיזָ֖ה
NAS: Jahath was the first and Zizah
KJV: And Jahath was the chief, and Zizah
INT: became Jahath was the first and Zizah

1 Chronicles 24:22
HEB: לִבְנֵ֥י שְׁלֹמ֖וֹת יָֽחַת׃
NAS: of the sons of Shelomoth, Jahath.
KJV: of the sons of Shelomoth; Jahath.
INT: of the sons of Shelomoth Jahath

2 Chronicles 34:12
HEB: וַעֲלֵיהֶ֣ם ׀ מֻ֠פְקָדִים יַ֣חַת וְעֹבַדְיָ֤הוּ הַלְוִיִּם֙
NAS: them to supervise: Jahath and Obadiah,
KJV: and the overseers of them [were] Jahath and Obadiah,
INT: over foremen Jahath and Obadiah the Levites

8 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 3189
8 Occurrences

wə·ya·ḥaṯ — 1 Occ.
ya·ḥaṯ — 7 Occ.