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יַעֲנַי

𐤉𐤏𐤍𐤉

Yaanay

H3285 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ענה to answer, respond

Definition

Proper name designating an Israelite individual; likely meaning 'Yaanai' or 'Yaanay.' The etymology is not certain, but the name may be connected to the root meaning 'to answer, respond.' In the Hebrew Bible, יַעֲנַי appears as a personal name in a genealogical context.

Semantic Range

personal name (of an Israelite), possible meaning 'he answers' or 'responsive'; name without additional lexical meaning beyond identification

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root ענה (ʿ-n-h), 'to answer, respond.' The form יַעֲנַי appears to be a proper name with a possible meaning of 'Yaanai' or 'he answers,' but the exact formation and meaning remain debated. The final י may be an archaic or dialectal suffix, or simply a personal or patronymic marker. Etymology uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Occurs in 1 Chronicles 5:12 as a personal name within the genealogies of the tribe of Gad. There is no narrative detail attached to this figure; the form is rare and only attested here. The translation 'Jaanai' in some English Bibles stems from transliteration, not from a semantic understanding. Unlike other names with the root ענה ('to answer'), typical theophoric or descriptive elements are absent or obscure here. Does not denote any collective, office, or title, but strictly a personal name. Not to be confused with similar names like יָעֵן (jaʿen), which refers to the ostrich or is used adjectivally. In later periods, variant spellings or pronunciations sometimes arise, but the biblical usage is limited to this context. No evidence suggests broader significance or later religious overtones.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the same as יָעֵן; responsive; Jaanai, an Israelite; Jaanai.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ענה (ʿ-n-h) — to answer, respond

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1042 בֵּית עֲנוֹת answering of
H1195 בַּעֲנָא Son of Affliction
H1196 בַּעֲנָה In Affliction
H2057 וַנְיָה Yah Answers
H3283 יָעֵן ostriches

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3285-01 וְ/יַעְנַ֥י veyaenay HC/Np and Janai and Yaanai 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3285-01 1 Chronicles 5:12 וְ/יַעְנַ֥י veyaenay HC/Np and Janai and Yaanai
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