יָשֻׁבִי לֶחֶם
𐤉𐤔𐤁𐤉 𐤋𐤇𐤌
Yashuvi Lechem
H3433 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A proper name possibly meaning 'he returns (or returns with) bread' or, less likely, 'inhabitant(s) of Lechem.' The phrase occurs as an ancestral or clan name among Israelite genealogies, particularly in the context of tribal listings. Usage may reflect either an individual named Yashubi-Lechem or a reference to those associated with, or returning to, a place called Lechem (potentially Bethlehem or another locality). The meaning hinges on textual interpretation, with some suggesting the name represents a phrase rather than a personal name.
Semantic Range
personal or clan name, possibly 'he returns with bread'; phrase meaning 'inhabitant(s) of Lechem'; possible allusion to an ancestor known for returning with sustenance; potential reference to a geographic locality, especially Bethlehem or a similar place named Lechem
Root / Etymology
Compound of the root שׁוּב (to turn, return) and לֶחֶם (bread, food). The name may derive from a phrase originally describing one who returns with food or to food (i.e., sustenance or home), or those dwelling at Lechem. Some textual traditions and manuscripts display variant pointing, which may reflect different understandings (see notes).
Historical & Contextual Notes
Found only in 1 Chronicles 4:2 as part of Judahite genealogies, יָשֻׁבִי לֶחֶם is debated among scholars and translators. While the Masoretic Text presents it as a personal or clan name, many commentators and ancient versions (such as some Targums and the Vulgate) understand the phrase as a descriptive notation—'inhabitants of Lechem'—due to a possible textual error or variant tradition. The suggestion that it is a contraction for יֹשְׁבֵי לֶחֶם ('inhabitants of Lechem/Bethlehem') is supported by context and ancient translation practices. The identity of 'Lechem' is likely, but not certainly, Bethlehem, due to the association with Judahite genealogies; however, other places of similar name could also be possible in the biblical period. Standard English translations often obscure this ambiguity, rendering it as a proper name, though the historical and textual evidence admits a broader range of interpretive possibilities.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from שׁוּב and לֶחֶם; returner of bread; Jashubi-Lechem, an Israelite; Jashubi-lehem. (Prob. the text should be pointed יֹשְׁבֵי לֶחֶם and rendered '(they were) inhabitants of Lechem,' i.e. of Bethlehem (by contraction). Compare לַחְמִי).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
לחם (l-ḥ-m) — to press, to knead (possible); to fight (separate verbal root)
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1035 | בֵּית לֶחֶם | bread |
| H3894 | לָחוּם | his edible portion |
| H3898 | לָחַם | in his waging-war |
| H3899 | לֶחֶם | in the bread |
| H3900 | לְחֶם | bread |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3433-02 |
וְ/יָשֻׁ֣בִי | veyashuvi | HC/Np |
and they-returned | And Return-with-Bread | 1 |
H3433-01 |
לָ֑חֶם | lachem | HNp |
to Bethlehem | bread | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3433-02 |
1 Chronicles 4:22 | וְ/יָשֻׁ֣בִי | veyashuvi | HC/Np |
and they-returned | And Return-with-Bread |
H3433-01 |
1 Chronicles 4:22 | לָ֑חֶם | lachem | HNp |
to Bethlehem | bread |