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Lexicon Overview of יָחִיד (Yachid):
1. Basic Meaning:
Singular/Only:
Yachid denotes something or someone that is one-of-a-kind, only, or unique in nature. It is used to describe something irreplaceable or unmatched.
2. Forms and Morphology:
Masculine Singular: יָחִיד (yachid)
Feminine Singular: יְחִידָה (yechidah)
Plural Forms: Not attested, as the word implies singularity.
Key Usages in Scripture:
A. As "Only One" (Exclusivity):
Genesis 22:2:
“Take now thy son, thine only son (יָחִידְךָ, yachidkha), Isaac, whom thou lovest...”
In this context, yachid refers to Isaac as Abraham’s “only” or unique son (even though Abraham had other children, Isaac held a special, covenantal status).
Cross-reference: Hebrews 11:17 (interprets Isaac as the
"only son" in terms of covenant).
Judges 11:34:
“...she was his only child (יְחִידָה, yechidah): beside her he had neither son nor daughter.”
This emphasizes the singularity of Jephthah's daughter, underscoring the depth of his vow’s consequences.
B. As "Beloved" or "Precious":
Psalm 22:20:
“Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling (יְחִידָתִי, yechidati) from the power of the dog.”
Here, yachid implies something deeply cherished or beloved, paralleling the preciousness of one’s life.
C. As "Lonely" or "Alone":
Psalm 25:16:
“Turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate (יָחִיד, yachid) and afflicted.”
The term here conveys a sense of being isolated, alone, or abandoned.
Semantic Range:
The semantic range of yachid includes:
Singularity: Being the only one of its kind.
Uniqueness: Special or incomparable in nature.
Preciousness: Cherished and beloved.
Loneliness/Isolation: A solitary or forsaken condition.
Etymology and Related Words:
Root: י-ח-ד (y-ch-d), meaning to unite or make one.
Related terms:
יָחַד (yachad): Together, united.
אֶחָד (echad): One, a more common term for numerical or conceptual oneness.
Contrast: Yachid carries the nuance of exclusivity or uniqueness, whereas echad often signifies unity or singularity in a collective sense.
Key Theological Insights:
1. Monotheism and Uniqueness:
While yachid is not used to describe God directly in the Hebrew Bible, the idea of God as unique and one-of-a-kind resonates with its meaning. God's uniqueness is more commonly expressed using the term אֶחָד (echad), as seen in
Deuteronomy 6:4:
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one (אֶחָד, echad)."
2. Christological Connections:
The Septuagint (LXX) often translates yachid with ἀγαπητός (agapetos), meaning "beloved" or "dearly loved." This word is used in the New Testament to describe Jesus:
“This is My beloved (ἀγαπητός) Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).
Thus, the yachid status of Isaac in Genesis 22 foreshadows Jesus as the uniquely beloved Son of God.
3. Sacrificial Overtones:
The yachid concept appears in sacrificial contexts, such as Genesis 22 and Psalm 22. In these instances, it prefigures the ultimate sacrifice of the Messiah, who is the "only" and beloved Son offered for humanity.
Modern Hebrew Usage:
In modern Hebrew, yachid retains its biblical meanings but is also used in everyday contexts:
Yachid: Individual or single.
Yechedi: Singular (grammatical term).
Couldn't resist
@Verily.
Johann.
