Abarim Publications' online Biblical Hebrew Dictionary
ילד
The verb ילד (yalad) means to bear or bring forth. It's used for a woman bearing a child (Exodus 1:19, 1 Kings 3:17-18) or a father bringing forth offspring (Genesis 4:18, Proverbs 23:32), but also for a city or nation bringing forth its citizens (Isaiah 23:4, Ezekiel 16:20 - compare this with the word for mother and mother city; see אם ('am)-names like Ahiam).
Our verb is also used in a wide collection of expressions: bringing forth wind (Isaiah 26:18), the day brings forth events (Proverbs 27:1), the wicked bring forth evil (Job 15:35).
Our word is also used to describe God bringing forth, or giving birth to, Israel (Deuteronomy 32:18), and to the Son (Psalm 2:7).
The verb ילד (yalad) is not limited to individual birth. In Hebrew thought, parents bring forth not only their own children but also their grandchildren and even all further generations (also see the verb זרע (zara'), meaning to sow).
This verb's derivations are:
- The masculine noun ולד (walad), meaning child (Genesis 11:30).
- The masculine noun ילד (yeled), meaning a young (child or animal). This common word is used for children from babies to young adolescents, but usually girls are not covered by this word (Genesis 32:23).
- The feminine noun ילדה (yalda), meaning girl (Genesis 34:4. Jonah 4:3).
- The feminine noun ילדות (yaldut) , meaning childhood or youth (Ecclesiastes 11:10).
- The adjectives ילוד (yillod) and יליד (yalid), meaning born (Exodus 1:22, Genesis 17:12).
- The feminine noun מולדת (moledet), meaning kindred (Genesis 12:1).
- The feminine plural noun תולדות (toledot), meaning descendants (Genesis 5:1), or "begettings" (Genesis 2:4; the begettings of the heavens and the earth).