Forms of יָלַד in Parshat Bereishit

The root יָלַד (y-l-d), meaning "to bear/beget," is one of the most frequently appearing roots in Bereishit, especially in the genealogical sections. Here is a comprehensive listing:

Key Takeaways

• The root י-ל-ד appears in multiple verb forms (binyanim) and nominal forms throughout Bereishit.
• The most common verbal form is וַיּוֹלֶד (Hiphil, "and he begot"), appearing repeatedly in the genealogies of chapters 5 and 11.
• Nominal forms like תּוֹלְדוֹת (generations/offspring) and יֶלֶד (child) also derive from this root.
• The root spans narrative, genealogical, and thematic functions across the parsha.
• Note: "Parshat Bereishit" refers specifically to the first weekly portion (Genesis 1:1–6:8); forms appearing in later parshiyot of Sefer Bereishit are noted separately below.

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Verbal Forms

Qal (Simple Active) — "to give birth / to bear"

| Form | Reference | Translation | |------|-----------|-------------| | יָלְדָה | Gen 4:1 | "and she bore" (Chava bore Kayin) | | יָלְדָה | Gen 4:2 | "and she bore" (Chava bore Hevel) | | יָלְדָה | Gen 4:22 | "and she bore" (Tzilla bore Na'ama) | | תֵּלֶד | Gen 4:17 | "bore" (wife of Kayin bore Chanoch) | | יִלְדוּ | Gen 6:4 | "they bore" (daughters of men bore Nephilim) |

Hiphil (Causative Active) — "to beget / to father"

This is the dominant form in the Chapter 5 genealogy (Toledot Adam):

| Form | Reference | Translation | |------|-----------|-------------| | וַיּוֹלֶד | Gen 5:3 | "and he begot" (Adam begot Shet) | | וַיּוֹלֶד | Gen 5:4 | "and he begot" (Adam begot sons and daughters) | | וַיּוֹלֶד | Gen 5:6 | Shet begot Enosh | | וַיּוֹלֶד | Gen 5:7 | Shet begot sons and daughters | | וַיּוֹלֶד | Gen 5:9 | Enosh begot Kenan | | וַיּוֹלֶד | Gen 5:10 | Enosh begot sons and daughters | | וַיּוֹלֶד | Gen 5:12 | Kenan begot Mahalalel | | וַיּוֹלֶד | Gen 5:13 | Kenan begot sons and daughters | | וַיּוֹלֶד | Gen 5:15 | Mahalalel begot Yered | | וַיּוֹלֶד | Gen 5:16 | Mahalalel begot sons and daughters | | וַיּוֹלֶד | Gen 5:18 | Yered begot Chanoch | | וַיּוֹלֶד | Gen 5:19 | Yered begot sons and daughters | | וַיּוֹלֶד | Gen 5:21 | Chanoch begot Metushelach | | וַיּוֹלֶד | Gen 5:22 | Chanoch begot sons and daughters | | וַיּוֹלֶד | Gen 5:25 | Metushelach begot Lamech | | וַיּוֹלֶד | Gen 5:26 | Metushelach begot sons and daughters | | וַיּוֹלֶד | Gen 5:28 | Lamech begot Noach | | וַיּוֹלֶד | Gen 5:30 | Lamech begot sons and daughters | | וַיּוֹלֶד | Gen 5:32 | Noach begot Shem, Cham, Yefet |

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Nominal Forms Derived from י-ל-ד

| Form | Reference | Translation | |------|-----------|-------------| | תּוֹלְדוֹת | Gen 2:4 | "the generations of heaven and earth" | | תּוֹלְדוֹת | Gen 5:1 | "the book of the generations of Adam" | | יֶלֶד / יְלָדִים | Gen 4:23 | "a young man" (Lamech's song) | | מוֹלֶדֶת | Gen 4:1 | (implied root; moled = birthplace/origin) |

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⚠️ Important Scope Note

The question asks about Parshat Bereishit, which in the annual Torah reading cycle covers only Genesis 1:1–6:8. Many more forms of יָלַד appear in later parshiyot:

• Parshat Noach (6:9–11:32) contains the Table of Nations and the genealogy of Shem — both rich with וַיּוֹלֶד and יָלַד forms.
• Parshat Lech Lecha through Vayechi contain numerous additional forms.

If you'd like, I can extend this analysis to Sefer Bereishit as a whole, or focus on a specific chapter or parsha. Just let me know!

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Note: The above is drawn from my training knowledge of the Masoretic text. For a definitive concordance-level listing, cross-reference with Even-Shoshan's מילון קונקורדנציה or the Bar-Ilan Responsa database.