יָאַב
𐤉𐤀𐤁
yâʼab
H2968 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To long for, desire intensely, or crave. Denotes a strong emotional yearning or longing toward someone or something, often expressing earnest wishing, seeking, or emotional need. The term can involve both positive desire (such as love or affection) or negative longing (such as covetousness or illicit desire), depending on context.
Semantic Range
to long for, to crave, to desire earnestly, to yearn, to wish intensely
Root / Etymology
Root: יאב (y-ʼ-b). Derived from the verbal root יאב, which carries the sense of yearning or longing. The word is attested as a verbal root (qal stem) and as a noun form (אַוָּה, 'avvah), both of which revolve around the central idea of emotionally charged desire.
Historical & Contextual Notes
יָאַב is a relatively rare verb in the Hebrew Bible, occurring in poetic and emotive contexts. Its usage is primarily found in expressions of deep longing or soulful yearning, sometimes for a person (as in love) or for something unattained (such as water, sustenance, or an abstract goal). The term is close in meaning to אָוָה (H183) and חָמַד (H2530), though יָאַב often carries a stronger connotation of emotional need and intensity than mere attraction or coveting. Standard translations as 'desire' or 'long for' can narrow the nuance, missing the emotional intensity evoked by the word. The term does not become a technical term for lust or covetousness; rather, it emphasizes the depth of the emotional impulse, regardless of the object. No significant semantic shift is observed within the corpus.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to desire; long.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
יאב (y-ʾ-b) — to long for, to desire, to yearn
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2968-01 |
יָאָֽבְתִּי | yaaveti | HVqp1cs |
I longed | I longed | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2968-01 |
Psalms 119:131 | יָאָֽבְתִּי | yaaveti | HVqp1cs |
I longed | I longed |