יוֹחָא
𐤉𐤅𐤇𐤀
Yocha
H3109 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A personal name, Yocha, borne by two individuals identified as Israelites in biblical texts. Likely carries the underlying meaning 'Yahweh lives' or 'Yahweh has given life,' depending on the interpretation of its components. Used purely as a proper name without broader lexical application.
Semantic Range
personal name with theophoric element signifying 'Yahweh lives,' used for two early Israelites; no evidence for use as an appellative or common noun
Root / Etymology
Derived from the theophoric element יהו (Yeho-, a shortened form of the divine name YHWH, Yahweh) and possibly related to the verb חָיָה (ḥayah, 'to live'). The name combines a reference to Yahweh with the concept of life or vitality, though the precise relationship is debated. Some see it as 'Yahweh lives' or, less likely, 'Yahweh has revived.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
The name יוֹחָא appears in genealogical lists (e.g., 1 Chronicles 7:8; 8:16) and is assigned to individuals within northern Israelite lineages. As with other early Israelite theophoric names, it expresses theological ideas through compounded divine and verbal elements. The form is rare, and its precise construction is debated; it may represent either a sentence name ('Yahweh lives') or an abbreviated form. English translations have often rendered the name as 'Joha,' influenced by later traditions, but this obscures its original theophoric nature and meaning. No evidence indicates the name referred to Judahites or to later Judeans. Its use is restricted to personal naming conventions in early Israelite society.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably from יְהֹוָה and a variation of חָיָה; Jehovah-revived; Jocha, the name of two Israelites; Joha.
Bantu Hebrew
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+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
יהו, חיה (y-h-w / ḥ-y-h) — Yahweh; to live, be alive
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3109-01 |
וְ/יוֹחָ֖א | veyocha | HC/Np |
and Joha | and Yocha | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3109-01 |
1 Chronicles 8:16 | וְ/יוֹחָ֖א | veyocha | HC/Np |
and Joha | and Yocha |
H3109-01 |
1 Chronicles 11:45 | וְ/יֹחָ֥א | veyocha | HC/Np |
and Joha | and Yocha |