3275. Yakan
Lexical Summary
Yakan: Jakan

Original Word: יַעְכָּן
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Ya`kan
Pronunciation: yah-KAHN
Phonetic Spelling: (yah-kawn')
KJV: Jachan
NASB: Jacan
Word Origin: [from the same as H5912 (עָכָן - Achan)]

1. troublesome
2. Jakan, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Jachan

From the same as Akan; troublesome; Jakan, an Israelite -- Jachan.

see HEBREW Akan

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from the same as Akan
Definition
a Gadite
NASB Translation
Jacan (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
יַעְכָּן proper name, masculine Gadite 1 Chronicles 5:12, Ξιμα, Ιαχα.

עכס (√ of following; Arabic is reverse, tie backward, whence hopple, of camel).

Topical Lexicon
Biblical Occurrence

“and their relatives by their father’s houses were Michael, Meshullam, Sheba, Jorai, Jacan, Zia, and Eber—seven in all” (1 Chronicles 5:13).

Geographic and Tribal Setting

Jacan belongs to the tribe of Gad, one of the two and a half tribes that settled east of the Jordan. The Gadites occupied territory stretching from Aroer on the Arnon to Salecah in Bashan (Joshua 13:24-28). This trans-Jordan location placed them on the frontier between Israel and the desert peoples, shaping both their pastoral economy and their frequent military engagements (1 Chronicles 5:9-10).

Relation to Gadite Military and Settlement Pattern

The genealogy of 1 Chronicles 5 highlights Gad’s reputation as warrior-herdsmen who “waged war against the Hagrites… because they cried out to God in the battle, and He granted their request” (1 Chronicles 5:18-20). Jacan, listed among the “relatives” of Gadite chiefs Joel, Shapham, Jaanai, and Shaphat (1 Chronicles 5:12-13), represents one of the family heads whose households contributed to Gad’s defensive strength and communal life along Israel’s eastern border.

Distinction from Other Bearers of a Similar Name

Jacan the Gadite should not be confused with Jaakan (Genesis 36:27; 1 Chronicles 1:42), a Horite chieftain, or with the wilderness encampment Bene-Jaakan (Numbers 33:31-32; Deuteronomy 10:6). The similarity of names illustrates how diverse lineages could share cognate designations while inhabiting very different covenant contexts.

Historical Significance

1 Chronicles preserves genealogies compiled after the exile to remind the returned community of its tribal heritage. Even a single-mention figure like Jacan testifies to the chronicler’s concern for completeness. His inclusion affirms that God remembers every household, including those east of the Jordan who were later deported by Tiglath-pileser (1 Chronicles 5:6, 26). The record underscores both privilege and accountability: privilege in being counted among the people of God, accountability in the warning that unfaithfulness leads to exile (1 Chronicles 5:25-26).

Theological Themes

1. Covenant Preservation—Jacan’s name in Scripture declares that God keeps covenant across generations and geography.
2. Corporate Identity—Gadite clans functioned as a collective, illustrating the biblical principle that individual significance is found within the community of faith (Ephesians 2:19-22).
3. Divine Remembrance—The thoroughness of biblical genealogies anticipates the “book of life” motif (Revelation 20:12), where every faithful servant is known to God.

Spiritual and Ministry Applications

• Unsung Service: Jacan’s obscurity encourages believers who labor without public acclaim (Colossians 3:23-24).
• Faithfulness on the Frontier: Like Gad, modern Christians often stand at cultural borders; vigilance and dependence on prayer remain vital (1 Chronicles 5:20).
• Heritage and Hope: Teaching genealogies can help congregations value spiritual ancestry and anticipate their place in God’s unfolding account (Hebrews 11:39-40).

Cross-References for Further Study

Numbers 26:15-18; Deuteronomy 33:20-21; Joshua 13:24-28; 2 Kings 15:29; 1 Chronicles 5:18-26; Revelation 20:12.

Summary

Though mentioned only once, Jacan stands as a witness that every clan and individual within God’s people matters. His appearance in Gad’s registry strengthens the biblical portrait of a covenant community preserved, disciplined, and ultimately redeemed by the Lord who “knows those who are His” (2 Timothy 2:19).

Forms and Transliterations
וְיַעְכָּ֛ן ויעכן veyaKan wə·ya‘·kān wəya‘kān
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Chronicles 5:13
HEB: וְ֠שֶׁבַע וְיוֹרַ֧י וְיַעְכָּ֛ן וְזִ֥יעַ וָעֵ֖בֶר
NAS: Sheba, Jorai, Jacan, Zia and Eber,
KJV: and Jorai, and Jachan, and Zia,
INT: Sheba Jorai Jacan Zia and Eber

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 3275
1 Occurrence


wə·ya‘·kān — 1 Occ.

3274
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