Does יחיד refer to “only”?
Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 3:54 pm
A common meaning listed for יחיד is “only”, but is that accurate?
For example, Genesis 22:2, 12 and 16 refer to Isaac as יחיד, but he was not Abraham’s only son. But Isaac was the son who was together with Abraham and would inherit Abraham. Rather, in this case, did not יחיד refer to a close, personal relationship while living together?
Jeremiah 6:26, Amos 8:10 and Zechariah 12:10 would refer to mourning over one with whom one is very close.
Judges 11:34 why is it mentioned separately that he had no other sons and daughters, after mentioning that the one daughter is יחידה, unless the two phrases referred to different ideas?
Proverbs 4:3 the idea of being close to his mother.
Twice יחיד is found in Psalms, 25:16 and 68:7 (6) where “sole” or “only” is not the only reading that can be derived from the verses. Even in those verses, the idea of being with God can be understood.
These are all ten of the occurrences I found in Tanakh, which leads me to the question, does יחיד ever refer to “only”?
Karl W. Randolph.
For example, Genesis 22:2, 12 and 16 refer to Isaac as יחיד, but he was not Abraham’s only son. But Isaac was the son who was together with Abraham and would inherit Abraham. Rather, in this case, did not יחיד refer to a close, personal relationship while living together?
Jeremiah 6:26, Amos 8:10 and Zechariah 12:10 would refer to mourning over one with whom one is very close.
Judges 11:34 why is it mentioned separately that he had no other sons and daughters, after mentioning that the one daughter is יחידה, unless the two phrases referred to different ideas?
Proverbs 4:3 the idea of being close to his mother.
Twice יחיד is found in Psalms, 25:16 and 68:7 (6) where “sole” or “only” is not the only reading that can be derived from the verses. Even in those verses, the idea of being with God can be understood.
These are all ten of the occurrences I found in Tanakh, which leads me to the question, does יחיד ever refer to “only”?
Karl W. Randolph.