Original Word: יִזְרָח
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: Yizrach
Pronunciation: yiz-RAKH
Phonetic Spelling: (yiz-rawkh')
KJV: Izrahite
NASB: Izrahite
Word Origin: [a variation for H250 (אֶזרָחִי - Ezrahite)]

1. a Jizrach (i.e. Ezrachite or Zarchite) or descendant of Zerach

Izrahite

A variation for 'Ezrachiy; a Jizrach (i.e. Ezrachite or Zarchite) or descendant of Zerach -- Izrahite.

see HEBREW 'Ezrachiy

Word Origin
from zarach
Definition
a descriptive title for one of David's men
NASB Translation
Izrahite (1).

יִזְרָ֑ח adjective, of a people only in ׳שַׁמְהוּת הַיּ 1 Chronicles 27:8 ᵐ5 Εσραε, ᵐ5^L Ιεσρα; read הַיִּזְרָחִ(יׅ) (= הַזַּרְחִי ? compare 1 Chronicles 27:11; 1 Chronicles 27:13).

Overview

Yizrach is a personal name whose root conveys the idea of shining or dawning. Though mentioned only once in the Old Testament, the name stands behind the designation “Izrahite,” linking Yizrach to Israel’s military history in the reign of King David.

Scriptural Occurrence (1 Chronicles 27:8)

“The fifth, for the fifth month, was commander Shamhuth the Izrahite; in his division were twenty-four thousand.”

Here Yizrach appears indirectly as the ancestor of Shamhuth, one of the twelve commanders who rotated leadership of David’s standing army. Each division served for one month, ensuring continual national defense without overburdening any tribe.

Historical Context

Chapters 23–27 of 1 Chronicles detail David’s final administrative reforms, including the organization of priestly duties, Levitical gatekeepers, civil officials, and the military. This structure anticipated a peaceful transition to Solomon’s reign and supported the centralized worship that would be anchored in the future temple. Within this framework, Shamhuth son of Yizrach led the fifth contingent, serving during midsummer when agricultural labor eased and the threat of foreign raids increased.

Tribal Identity and Genealogical Considerations

The epithet “Izrahite” likely denotes descent from Yizrach rather than from the more familiar Judahite clan of Zerah. Some scholars suggest a scribal confusion with “Zerahite,” yet the Chronicler’s deliberate use of the rarer patronym underscores the individuality of David’s officers. The text affirms that God’s purposes extend through recognizable family lines, even when those lines surface only briefly in Scripture.

Military Significance

Each monthly host numbered twenty-four thousand men, suggesting a nationwide force of 288,000—ample for defense yet reflective of David’s confidence in the Lord rather than sheer numbers (compare 1 Chronicles 21:1–5). By commanding one-twelfth of this corps, Shamhuth bore significant responsibility, and Yizrach’s legacy is sealed within Israel’s military annals.

Theological Themes

1. Light and Leadership: The root idea of “shining” finds resonance in biblical motifs of divine illumination. Just as the light of dawn signals order and hope, Yizrach’s line produced a leader who brought structure to Israel’s armies.
2. Generational Influence: Scripture frequently links fathers and sons to illustrate covenant faithfulness (Deuteronomy 6:6–9). Though little is known of Yizrach, his name is preserved because his offspring served God’s purposes in a pivotal generation.
3. Divine Sovereignty in Hidden Places: Yizrach’s obscurity highlights the biblical principle that God records every act of service (Malachi 3:16). Even those who appear momentarily on the pages of history contribute to the unfolding redemptive plan.

Christological Foreshadowing

The Chronicler organizes Israel’s life around worship, leadership, and covenant order—elements fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the ultimate Light who “shines on those who dwell in darkness” (Luke 1:79). As a forerunner in a system that safeguarded God’s people and their worship, Yizrach’s household anticipates the ministries that culminate in the Messiah’s perfect kingship and priesthood.

Ministry Applications

• Faithfulness in obscurity: Pastors, parents, and volunteers may never see their names well known, yet their faithfulness can raise up servants for critical tasks.
• Structured service: The disciplined rotation of David’s army encourages modern ministries to adopt organized yet flexible systems that prevent burnout while maintaining readiness.
• Generational discipleship: Investing in the next generation, as Yizrach evidently did, remains essential for the continuity of God’s work (2 Timothy 2:2).

In sum, Yizrach’s brief appearance underscores the Scriptural truth that every believer’s role—however small in the narrative—contributes to the radiant display of God’s sovereign purposes.

הַיִּזְרָ֑ח היזרח haiyizRach hay·yiz·rāḥ hayyizrāḥInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts