Lexical Summary yashish: Old, aged, ancient Original Word: יָשִׁישׁ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance very aged man, ancient, very old From yashesh; an old man -- (very) aged (man), ancient, very old. see HEBREW yashesh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as yashesh Definition aged NASB Translation aged (1), aged men (1), old (1), old men (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs יָשִׁישׁ adjective aged, only Job (Late Hebrew once יָשִׁישִׁים old, venerable men, Levy Jastr); — absolute יָשִׁישׁ Job 15:10; plural יְשִׁישִׁים Job 32:6 2t.; — aged, as predicate adjective Job 32:6 (opposed to צָעִיר לְיָמִים); as substantive Job 15:10 ("" שָׂב); Job 29:8 (opposed to נערים); בִּישִׁישִׁים חָכְמָה Job 12:12 among aged men is wisdom ("" אֹרֶח יָמִים תְּבוּנָה). Topical Lexicon Meaning and Scope The term יָשִׁישׁ designates a person of advanced age whose years command respect. Scripture links the concept to maturity, experience, and social honor, particularly in settings where oral wisdom and patriarchal leadership shaped community life. Occurrences in the Book of Job 1. Job 12:12 – “Wisdom is found with the elderly, and understanding comes with long life.” These four texts cluster around the dispute between Job and his friends. They reveal both the ideal—age as a reservoir of discernment—and the tension—age alone did not guarantee right judgment in Job’s crisis. Cultural and Historical Backdrop In the Ancient Near East, elders functioned as arbiters at the city gate (Deuteronomy 21:19), mentors for younger generations (Proverbs 1:8–9), and stewards of covenant memory. Rising before an aged man (Leviticus 19:32) symbolized covenant loyalty. Job 29:8 captures this etiquette: the “old men rose,” acknowledging Job’s former stature as a wise and righteous judge. Thematic Significance in Wisdom Literature Job 12:12 encapsulates a wisdom axiom: longevity fosters insight. Yet the narrative quickly nuances the proverb. Job’s aged counselors cannot solve the riddle of innocent suffering, and Elihu, though younger, speaks more perceptively (Job 32:6–14). The book therefore balances respect for age with dependence on divine revelation; ultimate wisdom resides with God, who “shows no partiality to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of His hands” (Job 34:19). Lessons for Ministry and Discipleship 1. Honor seasoned believers: Their testimonies preserve doctrinal fidelity (Psalm 71:18). Related Scriptures • Proverbs 16:31 – “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.” Practical Application for the Church Elders (both in age and office) should steward wisdom through teaching and example, while congregations cultivate deference that fosters unity (Hebrews 13:7, 17). Discipleship pathways that pair seasoned saints with younger believers emulate the biblical vision embedded in יָשִׁישׁ: life-tested faith transmitting truth across generations until “all attain to the unity of the faith” (Ephesians 4:13). Forms and Transliterations בִּֽישִׁישִׁ֥ים בישישים וִֽ֝ישִׁישִׁים וישישים יְשִׁישִׁ֑ים יָשִׁ֣ישׁ ישיש ישישים bî·šî·šîm bishiShim bîšîšîm Vishishim wî·šî·šîm wîšîšîm yā·šîš yaShish yāšîš yə·šî·šîm yeshiShim yəšîšîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 12:12 HEB: בִּֽישִׁישִׁ֥ים חָכְמָ֑ה וְאֹ֖רֶךְ NAS: Wisdom is with aged men, [With] long KJV: With the ancient [is] wisdom; INT: aged Wisdom long Job 15:10 Job 29:8 Job 32:6 4 Occurrences |
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