יָרֵחַ
Yareach
Moon
Yareach (יָרֵחַ) is a Hebrew word meaning “moon,” pronounced “ya-REY-akh.” Derived from the root י-ר-ח, yareach appears 27 times in the Hebrew Bible (Strong's H3394).
| Hebrew | יָרֵחַ |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Yareach |
| Pronunciation | ya-REY-akh |
| Meaning | Moon |
| Root Letters | י-ר-ח |
| Occurrences in Hebrew Bible | 27× |
| Key Verse | Psalm 89:37 |
| Strong's Number | H3394 |
| Category | Nature & Creation |
The Hebrew calendar — the calendar that determines Passover, Yom Kippur, and every biblical festival — is lunar, governed by the cycles of the yareach (יָרֵחַ). In a culture where the moon regulated worship, agriculture, and daily life, the yareach carried enormous practical and theological significance. Psalm 104:19 states plainly, 'He made the yareach to mark the seasons.' Every new moon (Rosh Chodesh) was a time of celebration and sacrifice (Numbers 28:11). Yet Israel, unlike its neighbors, never worshipped the moon. Psalm 89:37 calls the moon a 'faithful witness in the skies' — a testimony to God's enduring covenant with David. The moon's cycle of waxing, waning, and renewal became a powerful metaphor for Israel's own story: periods of darkness followed by divine restoration. The Talmud compares the Jewish people to the moon — sometimes diminished but always renewed. When you understand the yareach's role in Hebrew thought, you appreciate why every biblical feast begins at moonrise and why the new moon carries the promise of new beginnings.
Key Bible Verse: Psalm 89:37
“Like the moon (yareach) it shall be established forever, a faithful witness in the skies.”
What Is the Root of Yareach in Hebrew?
Yareach is related to 'yerach' (month), reflecting the moon's role as timekeeper for the Hebrew lunar calendar. The connection between moon and month is embedded in the language itself. Another Hebrew word for moon, 'levanah,' means 'the white one.'
What Does Yareach Mean in the Bible?
Yareach appears approximately 27 times in the Hebrew Bible. It is distinguished from 'levanah' (the white one), a poetic name for the moon (Song of Solomon 6:10, Isaiah 24:23). The moon marks the biblical calendar, the new moon celebrations, and the timing of all major festivals.
How Is Yareach Used in Modern Hebrew?
The Jewish blessing over the new moon ('Kiddush Levanah') is recited outdoors under the moonlight once a month. The Talmud says, 'He who blesses the new moon is as if he has welcomed the Shechinah (Divine Presence).' The moon's renewal symbolizes Israel's hope.
How to Use Yareach in Prayer & Worship
Like the moon that wanes but always returns to fullness, trust that God's light will return even in your darkest seasons. Pray for the renewal that each new month symbolizes — fresh mercies, new beginnings, and restored hope.
Frequently Asked Questions About Yareach
How do you say “Moon” in Hebrew?
“Moon” in Hebrew is Yareach (יָרֵחַ), pronounced “ya-REY-akh.” Yareach is related to 'yerach' (month), reflecting the moon's role as timekeeper for the Hebrew lunar calendar. The connection between moon and month is embedded in the language itself. Another Hebrew word for moon, 'levanah,' means 'the white one.'
What does Yareach mean in the Bible?
Yareach (יָרֵחַ) means “Moon” in Biblical Hebrew. Yareach appears approximately 27 times in the Hebrew Bible. It is distinguished from 'levanah' (the white one), a poetic name for the moon (Song of Solomon 6:10, Isaiah 24:23). The moon marks the biblical calendar, the new moon celebrations, and the timing of all major festivals.
How do you pronounce Yareach?
Yareach is pronounced “ya-REY-akh.” The word comes from the Hebrew root י-ר-ח.
Why is the Jewish calendar based on the moon?
God established the lunar calendar in Genesis 1:14 when He created the luminaries 'for signs and for seasons (mo'adim).' Psalm 104:19 confirms 'He made the moon to mark the seasons.' The Hebrew month begins with the new moon (Rosh Chodesh), and every biblical festival is tied to a specific lunar date. The lunar cycle ensures that God's appointed times are woven into the fabric of creation itself.
What is Rosh Chodesh in the Bible?
Rosh Chodesh (Head of the Month) celebrates the new moon and the start of each Hebrew month. In biblical times, it was marked with special sacrifices (Numbers 28:11-15), trumpet blasts, and feasting. It appears alongside Shabbat in several prophetic passages (Isaiah 66:23). Today, Rosh Chodesh is still observed with special prayers and is considered a minor festival.
What does 'the moon will be confounded' mean in Isaiah?
Isaiah 24:23 says 'the moon (levanah) will be confounded and the sun ashamed, for the LORD of hosts will reign on Mount Zion.' This prophetic imagery indicates that when God's glory is fully revealed, even the brightest cosmic bodies will pale in comparison. God's radiance will make the moon's light seem dim — a breathtaking picture of His surpassing glory.
Sources & Further Study
- Blue Letter Bible — H3394: Yareach
- Bible Gateway — Psalm 89:37 (ESV)
- Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB) — entry for י-ר-ח
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