Lexical Summary Yaphlet: Yaphlet Original Word: יַפְלֵט Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Japhlet From palat; he will deliver; Japhlet, an Israelite -- Japhlet. see HEBREW palat NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom palat Definition an Asherite NASB Translation Japhlet (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs יַפְלֵט proper name, masculine Asherite (on form compare BaNB 144, 166); — 1 Chronicles 7:33 (twice in verse), also 1 Chronicles 7:32 (Gi יַפְלָט); Ιφαμηλ, Αφαληκ,etc., Α Ιαφαλητ. Topical Lexicon Occurrences in Scripture Yaphlet appears three times, all within the genealogy of Asher in 1 Chronicles. The central verses read: “And Heber was the father of Japhlet, Shomer, Hotham, and Shua their sister” (1 Chronicles 7:32). “The sons of Japhlet: Pasach, Bimhal, and Ashvath. These were Japhlet’s sons” (1 Chronicles 7:33). The name then closes the section as the Chronicler repeats, “These were the sons of Japhlet” (1 Chronicles 7:33, end of verse). Tribal and Familial Connections Yaphlet is a grandson of Beriah and a great-great-grandson of Asher, placing him firmly within the northern tribal line that settled the fertile Galilean coastal region. Through Heber, Yaphlet represents one of the five main branches of Asher listed by the Chronicler (compare 1 Chronicles 7:30-34). His sons—Pasach, Bimhal, and Ashvath—extend the house of Yaphlet into the third generation recorded after the Exodus, indicating a family that survived the wilderness years and established itself in the land. Historical Setting The genealogy in 1 Chronicles was compiled after the exile to reassure the post-exilic community of its continuity with Israel’s historic tribes. Asher’s allotment stretched along the Mediterranean north of Carmel (Joshua 19:24-31). The mention of Yaphlet, though brief, anchors later Asherite settlements to a specific ancestral figure, strengthening land claims and identity during a time when tribal boundaries had blurred. Theological Themes Name Theology: Yaphlet carries the idea of escape or deliverance. While no narrative deeds are preserved, the Chronicler’s inclusion of such a name within the restoration-oriented genealogies underscores the larger biblical motif of God delivering His people, first from Egypt and eventually from exile. Covenant Continuity: By recording lesser-known sons like Yaphlet, Scripture demonstrates that every family line—prominent or obscure—rests within God’s covenant faithfulness. Even without recorded exploits, the line of Yaphlet testifies that God “remembers His covenant forever, the word He commanded for a thousand generations” (Psalm 105:8). Remnant Hope: Asher’s tribe never produced national leaders like Judah or Levi, yet its families are carefully preserved in the Chronicler’s record. This highlights the biblical principle that significance is measured by faithfulness to God’s purposes rather than public prominence. Ministry Significance Today 1. Valuing the Hidden Faithful. Yaphlet’s silent presence in Scripture reminds the church to honor believers whose service is unseen but essential (1 Corinthians 12:22-24). Conclusion Though confined to a brief genealogical note, Yaphlet reinforces major biblical truths: God’s meticulous preservation of His people, the value of every family within the covenant community, and the abiding promise of deliverance implicit in God’s redemptive plan. Forms and Transliterations יַפְלֵ֔ט יַפְלֵֽט׃ יפלט יפלט׃ yafLet yap̄·lêṭ yap̄lêṭLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 7:32 HEB: הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־ יַפְלֵ֔ט וְאֶת־ שׁוֹמֵ֖ר NAS: became the father of Japhlet, Shomer KJV: begat Japhlet, and Shomer, INT: Heber became of Japhlet Shomer and Hotham 1 Chronicles 7:33 1 Chronicles 7:33 3 Occurrences |
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