יָחִיד
𐤉𐤇𐤉𐤃
yâchîyd
H3173 adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Unique or only one of its kind; an only child, most frequently a uniquely valued or singular offspring, especially a son, often implying special status or deep affection. In poetic contexts, can denote one who is dearly loved or precious, or one left alone, solitary, or forsaken. By extension, in rare uses, refers to that which is irreplaceable or one's very life.
Semantic Range
unique, only (child/son/daughter), solitary, precious, dearly loved, irreplaceable, left alone, desolate
Root / Etymology
From the root יחד (y-ḥ-d) meaning 'to be united' or 'to be one/unique'. The noun יָחִיד is derived from this root and functions primarily as an adjective ('only, unique, singular'), and occasionally as a substantive referring to an only child or precious one.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, יָחִיד regularly appears in reference to an only child, as in narratives where the sole child is at risk (e.g., Genesis 22:2, 22:12, 22:16—Isaac as Abraham’s only son), especially sons who bear their parents' hopes and lineage. The term can evoke themes of preciousness, irreplaceability, and emotional intensity. In wisdom and psalmic literature (e.g. Psalm 22:20, 35:17, Judges 11:34), it is poetic and may refer to one’s very life or soul, or to being utterly alone or abandoned. The sense 'beloved' arises from the unique status of an only child, but does not imply affection without the uniqueness connotation. English translations often choose ‘only’ or ‘only (son/child),’ but sometimes render it as “precious,” “beloved,” or “darling” to capture its nuance. The term differs from similar Hebrew words like בֵּן (ben, ‘son’ or ‘child’), which does not imply uniqueness. In later periods, while the rendering “only” persists, translations occasionally shift toward a more spiritual sense of something deeply cherished or essential (e.g., ‘soul’ or ‘life’), especially in poetry and supplication contexts. The use of 'darling' or 'beloved' in some English translations reflects interpretive choices rather than direct equivalence, and should not obscure the core notion of uniqueness and singular value.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from יָחַד; properly, united, i.e. sole; by implication, beloved; also lonely; (feminine) the life (as not to be replaced); darling, desolate, only (child, son), solitary.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
יחד (y-ḥ-d) — to be one, to be united, to be unique
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2300 | חָדַד | as one |
| H3161 | יָחַד | let her become one |
| H3162 | יַחַד | into unity |
| H3163 | יַחְדוֹ | Together-with-him |
| H3164 | יַחְדִּיאֵל | and El-makes-one |
Word Forms
7 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3173-06 |
יְחִֽידְ/ךָ֤ | yechidekha | HAamsc/Sp2ms |
your only | your unique one | 3 |
H3173-03 |
יָחִיד֙ | yachid | HAamsa |
lonely | unique one | 3 |
H3173-05 |
יְחִידָתִֽ/י | yechidati | HAafsc/Sp1cs |
my only one | my unique one | 2 |
H3173-02 |
וְ֝/יָחִ֗יד | veyachid | HC/Aamsa |
and only | and unique one | 1 |
H3173-01 |
הַ/יָּחִ֔יד | hayachid | HTd/Aamsa |
the only one | the unique one | 1 |
H3173-07 |
יְחִידִ֨ים | yechidim | HAampa |
the-lonely | unique ones | 1 |
H3173-04 |
יְחִידָ֔ה | yechidah | HAafsa |
only | unique one | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
12 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3173-06 |
Genesis 22:2 | יְחִֽידְ/ךָ֤ | yechidekha | HAamsc/Sp2ms |
your only son | your unique one |
H3173-06 |
Genesis 22:12 | יְחִידְ/ךָ֖ | yechidekha | HAamsc/Sp2ms |
your only | your unique one |
H3173-06 |
Genesis 22:16 | יְחִידֶֽ/ךָ | yechidekha | HAamsc/Sp2ms |
your only one | your unique one |
H3173-04 |
Judges 11:34 | יְחִידָ֔ה | yechidah | HAafsa |
only | unique one |
H3173-03 |
Jeremiah 6:26 | יָחִיד֙ | yachid | HAamsa |
only | unique one |
H3173-03 |
Amos 8:10 | יָחִ֔יד | yachid | HAamsa |
only-son | unique one |
H3173-01 |
Zechariah 12:10 | הַ/יָּחִ֔יד | hayachid | HTd/Aamsa |
the only one | the unique one |
H3173-05 |
Psalms 22:21 | יְחִידָתִֽ/י | yechidati | HAafsc/Sp1cs |
my only one | my unique one |
H3173-03 |
Psalms 25:16 | יָחִ֖יד | yachid | HAamsa |
lonely | unique one |
H3173-05 |
Psalms 35:17 | יְחִידָתִֽ/י | yechidati | HAafsc/Sp1cs |
my only one | my unique one |