יִמְנָה
𐤉𐤌𐤍𐤄
Yimenah
H3232 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Yimnâh is a personal name referring to two individuals in the Hebrew Bible, both Israelite males: one a descendant of Asher (Genesis 46:17; Numbers 26:44; 1 Chronicles 7:35) and another a Levite in the reign of Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 31:14). The name's meaning is uncertain but is likely connected to concepts of the right hand or favor, potentially indicating fortune or prosperity. The semantic range is restricted to use as a proper noun (personal name) and by extension to their descendants (Jimnites).
Semantic Range
personal name of an Israelite male, eponymous ancestor (Jimnites); not used in general speech, restricted to genealogical references
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root ימן (y-m-n), meaning 'right hand' or 'to go to the right, use the right hand,' with the sense of favor, strength, or fortune being idiomatically associated with the right hand. 'Yimnâh' is a noun formation, possibly meaning 'he will prosper' or 'one who prospers,' but as a personal name, the exact lexical nuance is not entirely clear.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the biblical context, 'Yimnâh' always appears as a proper name. For the son of Asher, his descendants are called the 'Jimnites' (Numbers 26:44) and their tribal relationship is explicitly noted. A later Levite named Yimnâh is listed among the officials in Hezekiah's religious reforms. The meaning 'prosperity' is more an inferred meaning from the root association with the right hand rather than a lexical fact; in practice, the term functions exclusively as a personal name and only in genealogical or historical notices. Later translations sometimes render 'Jimnah' or 'Imnah,' and such renderings should not be confused with generic or theological meanings. The linkage to 'prosperity' reflects ancient Near Eastern symbolic significance of the right hand, but in context, does not denote a title or attribute, only a name.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from יָמַן; prosperity (as betokened by the right hand); Jimnah, the name of two Israelites; also (with the article) of the posterity of one of them; Imna, Imnah, Jimnah, Jimnites.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
ימן (y-m-n) — go right, right hand, favor, prosper
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3117 | יוֹם | the right side |
| H3225 | יָמִין | in right hand |
| H3226 | יָמִין | to Yamin |
| H3227 | יְמִינִי | right-side man |
| H3228 | יְמִינִי | the Jaminite |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3232-03 |
יִמְנָ֧ה | yimenah | HNp |
Imnah | Prospering-One | 3 |
H3232-01 |
הַ/יִּמְנָ֔ה | hayimenah | HTd/Np |
the Imnahites | the Prosper-one clan | 1 |
H3232-02 |
לְ/יִמְנָ֗ה | leyimenah | HR/Np |
of Imnah | to Yimnah | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3232-03 |
Genesis 46:17 | יִמְנָ֧ה | yimenah | HNp |
Imnah | Prospering-One |
H3232-02 |
Numbers 26:44 | לְ/יִמְנָ֗ה | leyimenah | HR/Np |
of Imnah | to Yimnah |
H3232-01 |
Numbers 26:44 | הַ/יִּמְנָ֔ה | hayimenah | HTd/Np |
the Imnahites | the Prosper-one clan |
H3232-03 |
1 Chronicles 7:30 | יִמְנָ֧ה | yimenah | HNp |
Imnah | Prospering-One |
H3232-03 |
2 Chronicles 31:14 | יִמְנָ֤ה | yimenah | HNp |
Imnah | Prospering-One |