אוּת

𐤀𐤅𐤕

ʼûwth

H225 verb

SILEX Entry

Root אוּת to consent, to agree, to assent, to be willing

Definition

A verb meaning to agree, assent, consent, or be willing, typically involving mutual understanding or acceptance, especially in the sense of giving affirmation to a proposal, plan, or course of action. It implies a considered response rather than mere arrival or coming, with focus on volitional alignment between parties.

Semantic Range

to consent, to agree to a proposal, to explicitly assent or give formal agreement; to be willing under stated conditions, to give permission in the context of a negotiation or deliberation

Root / Etymology

Root/Etymology: Root uncertain; perhaps related to א־ו־ת, but lacks clear cognates in other Semitic languages. The meaning in biblical contexts derives not from 'coming' or 'arrival' but from the broader idea of agreeing or giving consent, as reflected by the contexts where it is used (Genesis 34:15, 34:22). Root meaning is inferred as 'to consent' or 'to assent.' Not to be confused with the more common noun אוֹת (H226) meaning 'sign, mark.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

אוּת appears rarely (hapax legomenon for the verb), notably in Genesis 34 (Dinah narrative), where it signifies the Shechemite male's agreement with the term of circumcision proposed by Jacob's sons. In these contexts, it reflects volitional consent rather than coerced obedience. The verb is only attested in a handful of contexts, always involving an explicit agreement to a condition. Later Hebrew rarely preserves this root, and other verbs (e.g., אבה, 'to be willing') take its place. Its usage is restricted to narrative agreements, not general willingness or everyday assent. English translations often render it as 'consent,' which reliably captures its sense, though nuances around deliberate and spoken assent are possible.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; properly, to come, i.e. (implied) to assent; consent.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אות (ʾ-w-t) — to consent, to agree, to assent, to be willing

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1942 הַוָּה the distinguishing sign
H226 אוֹת by signs
H852 אָת the attesting signs

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H225-03 וַ/יֵּאֹ֖תוּ vayeotu HC/VNw3mp but they agreed and they consented 1
H225-01 נֵא֣וֹת neot HVNi1cp we will consent we will consent 1
H225-02 נֵא֣וֹתָה neotah HVNh1cp let us consent let us consent 1
H225-04 יֵאֹ֨תוּ yeotu HVNi3mp will consent they will consent 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H225-01 Genesis 34:15 נֵא֣וֹת neot HVNi1cp we will consent we will consent
H225-04 Genesis 34:22 יֵאֹ֨תוּ yeotu HVNi3mp will consent they will consent
H225-02 Genesis 34:23 נֵא֣וֹתָה neotah HVNh1cp let us consent let us consent
H225-03 2 Kings 12:9 וַ/יֵּאֹ֖תוּ vayeotu HC/VNw3mp but they agreed and they consented