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יָרֵחַ

𐤉𐤓𐤇

yârêach

H3394 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ירח moon, lunar cycle

Definition

The celestial body known as the moon; in Hebrew, יָרֵחַ refers specifically to the physical moon observed in the sky. The term also carries connotations of lunar cycles, which informed calendar reckoning and agricultural festivals. In rare extended usage, it may denote 'monthly cycle' or a 'month' by association with the moon's phases, but this is more properly the domain of the related noun יֶרַח.

Semantic Range

the physical moon, the lunar body; occasionally: month (by metonymy), lunar period; poetic or symbolic references to the moon

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root ירח, which relates to the moon or a lunar cycle. The root conveys meanings connected with lunar timekeeping, though the root is attested only in nouns rather than verbs; its further etymology is uncertain, but it is possibly related to root forms in other Northwest Semitic languages.

Historical & Contextual Notes

יָרֵחַ is the standard biblical Hebrew word for the physical moon, as distinct from חֹדֶשׁ (ḥodesh), which denotes the new moon and, by extension, a calendar month, emphasizing the start of a lunar period. יֶרַח (yeraḥ), while closely related, is more frequently used for 'month' or the span of time measured by one lunar cycle. In passages describing celestial phenomena (e.g., sun, moon, and stars), יָרֵחַ is used for the moon itself. The appearance of this noun in poetic, prophetic, and cultic contexts connects it with timekeeping, festivals, and cosmic order. During the monarchic and exilic periods, lunar months remained fundamental to the Israelite calendar. Modern English translations commonly render יָרֵחַ as 'moon,' but English does not always preserve the nuances between יָרֵחַ (moon itself), יֶרַח (month), and חֹדֶשׁ (new moon/month). No evidence suggests a different meaning in later biblical periods or a direct connection to religious identity. The reference to 'Yrechow' (Jericho) in some lexicons derives from a possible etymological link between the city's name and the moon, but this is a distinct issue of toponymy.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the same as יֶרַח; the moon; moon. Yrechow. See יְרִיחוֹ.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ירח (y-r-ḥ) — moon, lunar cycle

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3386 יָרוֹחַ Moon-born
H3391 יֶרַח in lunar-month-of
H3392 יֶרַח Yerach
H3393 יְרַח lunar month of
H3398 יַרְחָע moon

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3394-06 וְ/יָרֵ֖חַ veyarecha HC/Ncmsa and-moon and moon 9
H3394-07 יָרֵ֥חַ yarecha HNcmsa moon moon 7
H3394-04 וְ/הַ/יָּרֵ֗חַ vehayarecha HC/Td/Ncmsa and the moon and the moon 3
H3394-01 הַ/יָּרֵ֜חַ hayarecha HTd/Ncmsa the moon the moon 3
H3394-05 וְ/לַ/יָּרֵ֨חַ֙ velayarecha HC/Rd/Ncmsa and to the moon and to the moon 2
H3394-03 לַ/יָּרֵ֗חַ layarecha HRd/Ncmsa the moon to the moon 1
H3394-02 כְּ֭/יָרֵחַ keyarecha HR/Ncmsa like the moon like the moon 1

Occurrences in Scripture

26 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3394-04 Genesis 37:9 וְ/הַ/יָּרֵ֗חַ vehayarecha HC/Td/Ncmsa and the moon and the moon
H3394-01 Deuteronomy 4:19 הַ/יָּרֵ֜חַ hayarecha HTd/Ncmsa the moon the moon
H3394-03 Deuteronomy 17:3 לַ/יָּרֵ֗חַ layarecha HRd/Ncmsa the moon to the moon
H3394-06 Joshua 10:12 וְ/יָרֵ֖חַ veyarecha HC/Ncmsa and-moon and moon
H3394-06 Joshua 10:13 וְ/יָרֵ֣חַ veyarecha HC/Ncmsa and the moon and moon
H3394-05 2 Kings 23:5 וְ/לַ/יָּרֵ֨חַ֙ velayarecha HC/Rd/Ncmsa and to the moon and to the moon
H3394-06 Isaiah 13:10 וְ/יָרֵ֖חַ veyarecha HC/Ncmsa and the moon and moon
H3394-01 Isaiah 60:19 הַ/יָּרֵ֖חַ hayarecha HTd/Ncmsa the moon the moon
H3394-05 Jeremiah 8:2 וְ/לַ/יָּרֵ֜חַ velayarecha HC/Rd/Ncmsa and-to-the-moon and to the moon
H3394-07 Jeremiah 31:35 יָרֵ֥חַ yarecha HNcmsa moon moon
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