Lexical Summary Ir Nachash: City of the Serpent Original Word: עִיר נָחָשׁ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Ir-nahash From iyr and nachash; city of a serpent; Ir-Nachash, a place in Palestine -- Ir-nahash. see HEBREW iyr see HEBREW nachash NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ir and nachash Definition "city of a serpent," a city in Judah NASB Translation Ir-nahash (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs עִיר נָחָשׁ as proper name, masculine see II. נָחָשׁ. 3, Topical Lexicon Etymology and Meaning עִיר נָחָשׁ combines the common Hebrew word עִיר (ʿîr, “city”) with נָחָשׁ (nāḥāsh, “serpent” or the proper name “Nahash”), yielding “City of the Serpent” or “City of Nahash.” The dual nuance reminds readers of the pervasive biblical imagery of the serpent as both literal creature and spiritual symbol, while also leaving open the possibility that the place was named after an individual called Nahash. Biblical Reference and Context 1 Chronicles 4:12 situates Ir-Nahash within the Judahite genealogies: “Eshton was the father of Beth-Rapha, Paseah, and Tehinnah the father of Ir-Nahash. These were the men of Recah.” The single mention occurs in a section that traces the descendants of Judah after the exile, emphasizing covenant continuity and land inheritance. Genealogical Significance The Chronicler records more than a family tree; he highlights God’s faithfulness in preserving Judah’s lines despite exile and judgment. Ir-Nahash stands as one node in this divinely ordered lineage. By attaching the settlement to Tehinnah, Scripture testifies that apparently minor clans still contributed to the rebuilding of Judah’s post-exilic identity (compare Nehemiah 11:3-4). Possible Geography Although the location is uncertain, its placement amid other southern towns (Beth-Rapha, Paseah, Recah) favors a Judean Shephelah or Negev setting. The Chronicler’s audience—returnees to the land—would have recognized the name and been reminded of ancestral claims awaiting restoration. Historical Backdrop Names incorporating “serpent” occur elsewhere in ancient Near Eastern toponymy, reflecting local fauna, defensive symbolism, or veneration of protective deities. In Israel’s context, however, such terminology is subsumed under exclusive Yahwistic worship; any former pagan connotations are redirected to serve covenant purposes. The Chronicler silently affirms that even places with ambiguous names belong to the Lord and His people. Theological Themes and Ministry Application 1. The worth of the obscure. Ir-Nahash appears only once, yet it shares Scripture’s pages with Jerusalem and Bethlehem. The passage reinforces that every believer, however unnoticed, has a role in God’s redemptive plan (1 Corinthians 12:22). Connections with Other Scriptures • Numbers 21:8-9—The bronze serpent lifted up for healing. Lessons for Believers Ir-Nahash teaches that no corner of the covenant land—and no member of the covenant community—is insignificant. God records the humble so that modern readers will value obedience over prominence, trust His ongoing work amid obscurity, and anticipate the day when every habitation, from the greatest to the least, reflects His glory. Forms and Transliterations נָחָ֑שׁ נחש nā·ḥāš naChash nāḥāšLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 4:12 HEB: אֲבִ֣י עִ֣יר נָחָ֑שׁ אֵ֖לֶּה אַנְשֵׁ֥י NAS: the father of Ir-nahash. These KJV: the father of Irnahash. These [are] the men INT: and Tehinnah the father of Ir-nahash These are the men |
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