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יָדָה

𐤉𐤃𐤄

yâdâh

H3034 verb

SILEX Entry

Root ידה to throw, to extend the hand, to acknowledge

Definition

To acknowledge, praise, or give thanks, especially with an outward gesture such as the extension of the hands. In various contexts, it can mean to express gratitude or praise (often directed toward a deity), confess or admit (especially sin or wrongdoing), or—less commonly—to throw or cast (as with stones or arrows, usually in an archaic or poetic sense). The term generally encompasses the public and verbal declaration of acknowledgment, whether thanksgiving or confession.

Semantic Range

to praise, to give thanks, to confess, to declare, to extend the hand, to throw (literally), to bemoan (by gesture)

Root / Etymology

From the root ידה, which grows out of יָד ("hand"), capturing the concept of extending or using the hand. The literal root meaning is 'to extend the hand.' In practice, the denominative verb יָדָה came to mean 'to throw' and metaphorically, through a ritual gesture, to offer praise, thanks, or confession, as extending the hand became symbolic of making a declaration. The transition from physical movement to verbal act reflects the close association in Semitic languages between physical gesture and speech act.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, יָדָה appears predominantly in poetic and liturgical contexts, especially in Psalms and Chronicles, where it signifies praise or thanksgiving directed toward YHWH, often in communal settings. The gesture of extending the hands accompanies these vocal expressions, symbolizing openness, surrender, and communication. In Levitical and post-exilic temple traditions, 'to give thanks' or 'to praise' through יָדָה became a formalized part of worship. The meaning 'to confess' emerges particularly in post-monarchic texts (e.g., confession of sins in Ezra and Daniel), showing a widening of scope from praise to admission of guilt, both requiring public acknowledgement. Physical throwing or casting is attested in earlier or poetic usage but is much less common. The root illustrates how bodily gestures in Ancient Israelite worship and communication were deeply tied to verbal expression, unlike some later English translations which separate gratitude, confession, and praise into discrete concepts. The evolution reflects both cultural and theological shifts during and after the monarchic period.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; used only as denominative from יָד; literally, to use (i.e. hold out) the hand; physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands); cast (out), (make) confess(-ion), praise, shoot, (give) thank(-ful, -s, -sgiving).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ידה (y-d-h) — to throw, to extend the hand, to acknowledge

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1184 בַּעֲלֵי יְהוּדָה Yah is praised
H1937 הוֹדְוָה to Praise-of-Yah
H3029 יְדָא the one giving thanks
H3035 יִדּוֹ Thanking-One
H3038 יְדוּתוּן for Yeduthun the Praiser

Word Forms

38 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3034-05 הוֹד֤וּ hodu HVhv2mp give thanks Acknowledge with uplifted hands 16
H3034-12 אוֹדְ/ךָ֥ odekha HVhi1cs/Sp2ms I will thank you I will acknowledge you 15
H3034-06 לְ/הֹד֥וֹת lehodot HR/Vhc to give thanks to publicly acknowledge 11
H3034-11 אוֹדֶ֣ה odeh HVhi1cs I will give thanks I will acknowledge 9
H3034-38 יוֹד֣וּ/ךָ yodukha HVhi3mp/Sp2ms will thank You they will acknowledge you 8
H3034-27 וְ/הוֹד֣וּ vehodu HC/Vhq3cp and confess and they acknowledged 6
H3034-37 יוֹד֣וּ yodu HVhi3mp let them give thanks they will acknowledge 6
H3034-13 אוֹדֶ֗/נּוּ odenu HVhi1cs/Sp3ms I will praise Him still him 3
H3034-16 וּ/לְ/הוֹד֣וֹת ulehodot HC/R/Vhc and to thank to cause to acknowledge 3
H3034-26 וְ/הֹד֖וֹת vehodot HC/Vhc and praising and to give acknowledgment 2

Occurrences in Scripture

114 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3034-11 Genesis 29:35 אוֹדֶ֣ה odeh HVhi1cs I will praise I will acknowledge
H3034-38 Genesis 49:8 יוֹד֣וּ/ךָ yodukha HVhi3mp/Sp2ms shall praise they will acknowledge you
H3034-24 Leviticus 5:5 וְ/הִ֨תְוַדָּ֔ה vehitevadah HC/Vtq3ms that he shall confess and he confessed himself
H3034-24 Leviticus 16:21 וְ/הִתְוַדָּ֣ה vehitevadah HC/Vtp3ms and confess and he confessed himself
H3034-25 Leviticus 26:40 וְ/הִתְוַדּ֤וּ vehitevadu HC/Vtq3cp and they confess and they acknowledged themselves
H3034-25 Numbers 5:7 וְ/הִתְוַדּ֗וּ vehitevadu HC/Vtq3cp and-they-shall-confess and they acknowledged themselves
H3034-12 2 Samuel 22:50 אוֹדְ/ךָ֥ odekha HVhi1cs/Sp2ms I will give thanks to you I will acknowledge you
H3034-27 1 Kings 8:33 וְ/הוֹד֣וּ vehodu HC/Vhq3cp and confess and they acknowledged
H3034-27 1 Kings 8:35 וְ/הוֹד֣וּ vehodu HC/Vhq3cp and confess and they acknowledged
H3034-12 Isaiah 12:1 אוֹדְ/ךָ֣ odekha HVhi1cs/Sp2ms I will thank I will acknowledge you
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