Original Word: יָחַשׂ
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: yachas
Pronunciation: yah-khas
Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-khas')
KJV: (number after, number throughout the) genealogy (to be reckoned), be reckoned by genealogies
NASB: enrolled by genealogy, genealogical enrollment, ancestral, enrolled by genealogies, genealogy, enrolled genealogically, enrolled in the genealogies
Word Origin: [a primitive root, to sprout; used only as denominative from H3188 (יַחַשׂ - genealogy)]

1. to enroll by pedigree

number after, be reckoned by genealogies

A primitive root; to sprout; used only as denominative from yachas; to enroll by pedigree -- (number after, number throughout the) genealogy (to be reckoned), be reckoned by genealogies.

see HEBREW yachas

Word Origin
from the same as yachas
Definition
to enroll oneself or be enrolled by genealogy
NASB Translation
ancestral (2), enrolled by genealogies (2), enrolled by genealogy (5), enrolled in the genealogies (1), enrolled in the genealogy (1), enrolled genealogically (1), genealogical enrollment (4), genealogical list (1), genealogically enrolled (1), genealogy (2), registration* (2).

[הִתְיַחֵשׂ] verb Hithpa`el denominative enroll oneself or be enrolled by Genealogy (Late Hebrew often in Pi`el (also Hithpa`el), Aramaic Pa`el (Ithpa`al)) — Perfect3masculine plural הִתְיַחֲשׂוּ 1 Chronicles 5:17; 1 Chronicles 9:1; Infinitive construct הִתְיַחֵשׂ 1 Chronicles 5:1 5t.; suffix הִתְיִחֲשָׂם 1 Chronicles 4:33 7t.; Participle plural הַמִּתְיִחֲשִׂים Ezra 2:62; Nehemiah 7:64; — be enrolled by Genealogy 1 Chronicles 5:17; 1 Chronicles 9:1; Nehemiah 7:5; perhaps also ׳לְהִתְי2Chronicles 12:15 (tr. to 2 Chronicles 11:16 according to Hi Be, see VB); לַבְּכֹרָה ׳וְלֹא לְהִתְי 1 Chronicles 5:1 but he is not to be enrolled in the place of first born; followed by בְּ (among, of, consisting in) 1 Chronicles 7:40, without לְ 1 Chronicles 7:7; Ezra 8:1; הַכֹּהֲנִים ׳הִתְי2Chronicles 31:17; Infinitive = Genealogical enrolment 1 Chronicles 4:33 these were their dwellings and they had (לָהֶם) genealogical enrolment, compare 1 Chronicles 7:5,9; ׳בְּהִתְי 1 Chronicles 5:7 at the enrolment, of. (לְ) their Generations; הֵמָּה בְּחַצְרֵיהֶם הִתְיַחֲשָׂם 1 Chronicles 9:22 as for them, in their villages was their enrolment; nearly = genealogical list2Chronicles 31:15 (לִזְכָרִים; i.e. the males whose names were in the list), so Ezra 8:3, compare 2Chronicles 31:18,19 (all followed by בְּ among, of) Participle plural with article בִּקְשׁוּ כְתָבָם הַמִּתְיַחֲשִׂים Ezra 2:62 = Nehemiah 7:64 they sought their writing (their book), namely the enrolled, i.e. their Genealogical record.

יַ֫חַת see below חתה

Genealogical Integrity in Ancient Israel

The action denoted by this verb captures the deliberate process of confirming, recording, and preserving the lineage of individuals and families within the covenant community. Such enrollment safeguarded tribal inheritances, determined priestly eligibility, and maintained the continuity of God’s redemptive plan through identifiable family lines.

Occurrences in the Chronicler’s History

1 Chronicles 4–9 employs the verb repeatedly (4:33; 5:1, 7, 17; 7:5, 7, 9, 40; 9:1, 22). In these chapters:

• 1 Chronicles 5:1 notes that Reuben “was not enrolled in the genealogy according to birthright”, explaining the transfer of the firstborn privilege to Joseph’s sons. The verb underscores a formal decision with far-reaching implications for tribal hierarchy.
• 1 Chronicles 5:17 records that the Reubenites “were recorded in the genealogies during the reigns of Jotham king of Judah and Jeroboam king of Israel”, revealing that the practice continued even amid political division.
• 1 Chronicles 7 presents six uses (7:5, 7, 9, 40) to demonstrate military strength drawn from accurately traced households.
• 1 Chronicles 9:1, 22 ties the entire narrative together: “All Israel was enrolled in the genealogies…,” linking post-exilic returnees with their pre-exilic forebears.

Through these references the Chronicler shows that God’s purposes did not lapse during exile; the same covenant people, documented by name, carried forward the promises.

Post-Exilic Reapplication

Ezra and Nehemiah revive the practice for a restored community:

• Ezra 2:62 recounts certain priests who “searched for their family records, but they could not be found, and so were disqualified from the priesthood.” Accurate enrollment prevented illegitimate service at the altar.
• Ezra 8:1–3 lists leaders “enrolled by genealogy” who accompanied Ezra, validating their claim to Israel’s heritage.
• Nehemiah 7:5 states, “My God put into my heart to assemble the nobles… in order to enroll them by genealogy,” showing divine initiative behind administrative order.
• Nehemiah 7:64 echoes Ezra’s priestly screening.

The post-exilic usage affirms that true restoration demanded more than physical return; it required verifiable identity within God’s covenant family.

Historical Context and Administrative Value

Genealogical enrollment functioned as:

1. A census for military organization (1 Chronicles 7:5).
2. A registry for allotting land and agrarian towns (4:33).
3. A safeguard of priestly and Levitical purity (9:22; Ezra 2:62).
4. A mechanism for royal and prophetic historiography, framing Israel’s account within God’s unbroken dealings.

Theological Significance

1. Covenant Continuity: By inscribing names generation after generation, Scripture highlights the faithfulness of God who “remembers His covenant forever” (Psalm 105:8).
2. Messianic Line: Although the verb itself is absent from the genealogies of Jesus in Matthew 1 and Luke 3, its Old Testament background lends credibility to those records, demonstrating the importance of authenticated descent for messianic claims.
3. Divine Omniscience and Care: Every name matters. The meticulous rolls anticipate the “book of life” motif (Daniel 12:1; Revelation 20:12), assuring believers that God knows His people individually and corporately.

Ministry Implications Today

• Church Membership and Discipline: Just as ancient Israel distinguished insiders from outsiders, congregations benefit from clear rolls that encourage accountability and pastoral care (Hebrews 13:17).
• Leadership Qualifications: The post-exilic barring of unverified priests models due diligence when examining elders and deacons (1 Timothy 3:10).
• Legacy and Discipleship: Families are admonished to trace more than physical lineage; they are to create a spiritual genealogy of faith through intentional teaching (2 Timothy 1:5).
• Assurance of Salvation: The careful enrolling of God’s people in Scripture points believers to the ultimate registry in heaven, fostering confidence that “the Lord knows those who are His” (2 Timothy 2:19).

Thus, the verb’s eighteen appearances weave a consistent testimony: God records, remembers, and preserves His people, and He calls His servants to steward that heritage with equal seriousness.

בְּהִתְיַחֵ֖שׂ בהתיחש הִתְיַחְשָׂ֔ם הִתְיַחְשָׂ֖ם הִתְיַחְשָׂ֣ם הִתְיַחְשׂ֔וּ הִתְיַחֵ֖שׂ הִתְיַחֵ֥שׂ הַמִּתְיַחְשִׂ֖ים המתיחשים התיחש התיחשו התיחשם וְהִתְיַחְשָׂ֑ם וְהִתְיַחְשָׂ֖ם וְהִתְיַחְשָׂ֗ם וְהִתְיַחְשָׂ֣ם וְהִתְיַחְשָׂ֤ם והתיחשם לְהִתְיַחֵ֑שׂ לְהִתְיַחֵ֖שׂ להתיחש bə·hiṯ·ya·ḥêś behityaChes bəhiṯyaḥêś ham·miṯ·yaḥ·śîm hammityachSim hammiṯyaḥśîm hiṯ·ya·ḥêś hiṯ·yaḥ·śām hiṯ·yaḥ·śū hityaChes hityachSam hityachSu hiṯyaḥêś hiṯyaḥśām hiṯyaḥśū lə·hiṯ·ya·ḥêś lehityaChes ləhiṯyaḥêś vehityachSam wə·hiṯ·yaḥ·śām wəhiṯyaḥśāmInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts