Lexical Summary yareach: Moon Original Word: יָרֵחַ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance moon From the same as yerach; the moon -- moon. Yrechow. See Yriychow. see HEBREW yerach see HEBREW Yriychow NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition moon NASB Translation moon (27). Brown-Driver-Briggs יָרֵחַ noun masculineJoshua 10:13 moon, especially in poetry (Late Hebrew id.; Phoenician ירח; Assyrian iriµu, according to PinchesBOR Aug. 1888, 207; Ethiopic  moon, month; compare below יֶרַח) — absolute יָרֵחַ Genesis 37:9 25t.; suffix וִיָֽרֵחֵךְ Isaiah 60:20: — moon, usually named with sun Joshua 10:12,13 (poem in J E), Psalm 72:5 (עִםשָֿׁ֑מֶשׁ וְלִפְנֵי יָרֵחַ), Psalm 89:38 (in these two, a symbol of permanence), Psalm 121:6; Isaiah 60:19; Habakkuk 3:11; Joel 3:4; object of idolatrous worship Job 31:26 (+ sun); in same sense also + sun and stars Deuteronomy 4:19; Deuteronomy 17:3; 2 Kings 23:5; Jeremiah 8:2; as determiner of feast-times Psalm 104:19 ("" sun); + stars, as shining, by night Psalm 136:9 ("" sun, by day), so חֻקֹּת יָרֵחַ Jeremiah 31:35; ("" id.); elsewhere + sun and stars Genesis 37:9 (E), Isaiah 13:10; Ezekiel 32:7; Joel 2:10; Joel 4:15; Psalm 148:3; Ecclesiastes 12:2; + stars Psalm 8:4; Job 25:5; with neither sun nor stars only עַדבְּֿלִי יָרֵחַ Psalm 72:7. Topical Lexicon יָרֵחַ (Strong’s 3394) – “the moon”Creation and Divine Sovereignty From the opening chapters of Genesis the moon is presented as a deliberate work of God, “the lesser light to govern the night” (Genesis 1:16). Although the term יָרֵחַ itself first appears later, the concept of a divinely appointed luminary frames every subsequent reference. The moon’s existence is therefore inseparable from the Creator’s purposeful ordering of time and seasons (Psalm 104:19). Regulator of Israel’s Sacred Calendar Israel’s months, festivals, and sabbatical rhythms were reckoned by the lunar cycle. New‐moon observations launched each חֹדֶשׁ (month), setting the dates for Passover, the Day of Atonement, and every pilgrimage feast (Leviticus 23). While the word “new moon” employs another Hebrew term, יָרֵחַ underlies the physical phenomenon that made the calendar possible. Practical dependence on the moon’s phases reminded the nation that divine order governs human worship. Manifestation of Divine Power Joshua’s long‐day miracle places the moon under God’s direct command: “O sun, stand still over Gibeon, and O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon” (Joshua 10:12–13). Centuries later Habakkuk echoed that historic moment: “Sun and moon stood still in their courses” (Habakkuk 3:11). These events underline that natural laws serve, rather than constrain, the Lord’s redemptive purposes. Warning Against Idolatry Because the moon is majestic, Scripture repeatedly cautions against venerating it. Moses forbade lifting one’s eyes “to the sun or moon or the stars … and being lured to bowing down to them” (Deuteronomy 4:19; 17:3). Job maintained his integrity by refusing moon-worship (Job 31:26–27). King Josiah purged Judah of priests “who burned incense to the sun, to the moon, and to the constellations” (2 Kings 23:5). Such passages safeguard pure worship by reminding believers that created lights must never eclipse the Creator. Covenantal Witness and Permanence The regularity of the moon serves as an emblem of God’s unwavering promises: By anchoring covenant hope to the moon’s predictability, Scripture assures the heirs of David—and ultimately the Church—of the Messiah’s enduring reign. Protection and Comfort Psalm 121:6 offers night-time reassurance: “The sun will not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.” The verse pictures comprehensive divine protection, spanning the full cycle of day and night. For pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem—and for believers facing spiritual darkness—God’s care proves constant. Poetic Imagery and Aesthetic Splendor Hebrew poetry frequently employs the moon to portray beauty and glory. The bride of Song of Solomon is “as fair as the moon” (Song of Solomon 6:10). Ecclesiastes 12:2 uses the darkening of the moon to symbolize the fading of human vitality. Such literary uses harness common experience to communicate profound spiritual truths. Eschatological Signs Prophets treat the moon as a harbinger of cosmic upheaval: These portents announce divine judgment and the impending arrival of God’s kingdom, urging repentance and watchfulness. Future Glory Beyond the Moon While the moon is presently essential, Isaiah foresees a day when its function will cease: “The LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your splendor. Your sun will no longer set, and your moon will not wane” (Isaiah 60:19–20). The prophetic vision culminates in Revelation, where the glory of God illumines the New Jerusalem, rendering external luminaries unnecessary (Revelation 21:23). The moon’s temporary ministry thus points to eternal reality. Historical Notes • Jericho (יְרִיחוֹ) likely derives its name from יָרֵחַ, reflecting ancient Near Eastern fascination with lunar deities; Israel’s conquest of that city (Joshua 6) therefore proclaims the triumph of YHWH over pagan lunar cults. Ministry Reflections 1. Faithfulness: Just as the moon waxes and wanes yet never fails to appear, God’s promises remain sure even when His activity seems hidden. In the approximately twenty-six occurrences of יָרֵחַ, the moon functions as timekeeper, covenant witness, poetic emblem, and eschatological signal—always subordinate to the sovereign God who “gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and stars for light by night” (Jeremiah 31:35). Forms and Transliterations הַיָּרֵ֖חַ הַיָּרֵ֜חַ הַיָּרֵ֣חַ הירח וְ֝יָרֵ֗חַ וְהַיָּרֵ֖חַ וְהַיָּרֵ֗חַ וְיָרֵ֑חַ וְיָרֵ֖חַ וְיָרֵ֙חַ֙ וְיָרֵ֣חַ וְיָרֵ֥חַ וְלַיָּרֵ֙חַ֙ וְלַיָּרֵ֜חַ והירח וירח ולירח יָ֝רֵ֗חַ יָ֭רֵחַ יָרֵ֖חַ יָרֵ֥חַ יָרֵֽחַ׃ ירח ירח׃ כְּ֭יָרֵחַ כירח לַיָּרֵ֗חַ לירח haiyaReach hay·yā·rê·aḥ hayyārêaḥ kə·yā·rê·aḥ Keyareach kəyārêaḥ laiyaReach lay·yā·rê·aḥ layyārêaḥ vehaiyaReach velaiyaReach veyaReach wə·hay·yā·rê·aḥ wə·lay·yā·rê·aḥ wə·yā·rê·aḥ wəhayyārêaḥ wəlayyārêaḥ wəyārêaḥ yā·rê·aḥ Yareach yārêaḥLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 37:9 HEB: וְהִנֵּ֧ה הַשֶּׁ֣מֶשׁ וְהַיָּרֵ֗חַ וְאַחַ֤ד עָשָׂר֙ NAS: the sun and the moon and eleven KJV: more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven INT: and behold the sun and the moon a ten Deuteronomy 4:19 Deuteronomy 17:3 Joshua 10:12 Joshua 10:13 2 Kings 23:5 Job 25:5 Job 31:26 Psalm 8:3 Psalm 72:5 Psalm 72:7 Psalm 89:37 Psalm 104:19 Psalm 121:6 Psalm 136:9 Psalm 148:3 Ecclesiastes 12:2 Isaiah 13:10 Isaiah 60:19 Jeremiah 8:2 Jeremiah 31:35 Ezekiel 32:7 Joel 2:10 Joel 2:31 Joel 3:15 26 Occurrences |
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