← H3050 H3052 →

יָהַב

𐤉𐤄𐤁

yâhab

H3051 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To give, offer, bestow, or present; used primarily in commands, requests, or invitations to transfer or provide something, whether tangibly (such as an object or resource) or less concretely (such as honor or attention). Often found in imperative forms, invoking a sense of entreaty ('give!' or 'grant!'). In rare cases, the word appears as an interjection or invitation ('come!' or 'come now!'), and can be used figuratively (e.g., to ascribe something, such as glory, to someone).

Semantic Range

to give, grant, bestow, offer, deliver, ascribe (attribute), set, put, bring forth, invite, exhort ('come!'), make provision

Root / Etymology

Root יָהַב (yḥb), likely a Semitic root meaning 'to give.' The base meaning is 'to give, bestow.' In Hebrew, יָהַב functions mostly in imperatives, with only a few occurrences outside this form. The root is also attested in related Northwest Semitic languages (e.g., Ugaritic 'yhb', Aramaic 'yhb'), where it carries the similar sense 'to give.' Its function in Hebrew appears, however, primarily as a fossilized verb in certain imperatival constructions and idioms.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, יָהַב is relatively rare and occurs chiefly in the imperative, almost as a formulaic or idiomatic call—often in dialogue or poetic entreaty (cf. Gen 29:21, 'Give me my wife'). Some instances function as interjection or exclamation (e.g., Ps 29:1, 'Ascribe to YHWH...'), showing an extension from the concrete sense of 'give' to more abstract senses like 'attribute' or 'grant honor.' There is limited evidence of the verb in non-imperative forms in Biblical Hebrew; participial and non-imperative occurrences seem influenced by poetic style. Hebrew יָהַב is distinct from נָתַן (natan), the common verb 'to give,' which carries a broader range of usage and more regular verbal forms through biblical literature. In late biblical and post-biblical Hebrew, יָהַב does not seem to develop further, with its usage largely confined to fixed expressions. Standard English translations often unify its meanings under 'give,' but idiomatic or figurative uses (especially the 'ascribe' or 'attribute' sense) are translated according to context.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to give (whether literal or figurative); generally, to put; imperatively (reflexive) come; ascribe, bring, come on, give, go, set, take.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

יהב (y-h-b) — to give, to bestow, to offer

Root יהב to give, to bestow, to offer
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1890 הַבְהָב my whole-burnt gift-offerings
H1934 הָוָא Give!
H3052 יְהַב Give!
H3053 יְהָב your given-portion
H3097 יוֹאָב in YHWH-is-Father

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H3051-04 הָב֣וּ havu HVqv2mp Ascribe Give, you all! Give, you all 18
H3051-02 הָ֚בָ/ה havah HVqv2ms/Sh give Give! Give 12
H3051-01 הַ֤ב hav HVqv2ms Give! Give! Give 2
H3051-03 הָ֠בִי havi HVqv2fs Bring to bring in bring 1

Occurrences in Scripture

33 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H3051-02 Genesis 11:3 הָ֚בָ/ה havah HVqv2ms/Sh Come, Give! Give
H3051-02 Genesis 11:4 הָ֣בָ/ה havah HVqv2ms/Sh Come Give! Come
H3051-02 Genesis 11:7 הָ֚בָ/ה havah HVqv2ms/Sh Come Give! Come
H3051-02 Genesis 29:21 הָבָ֣/ה havah HVqv2ms/Sh Give Give! Give
H3051-02 Genesis 30:1 הָֽבָ/ה havah HVqv2ms/Sh give Give! Give
H3051-02 Genesis 38:16 הָֽבָ/ה havah HVqv2ms/Sh come Give! Give
H3051-02 Genesis 47:15 הָֽבָ/ה havah HVqv2ms/Sh give Give! give
H3051-04 Genesis 47:16 הָב֣וּ havu HVqv2mp Give Give, you all! give
H3051-02 Exodus 1:10 הָ֥בָ/ה havah HVqv2ms/Sh Come, Give! Come
H3051-04 Deuteronomy 1:13 הָב֣וּ havu HVqv2mp Give Give, you all! Give, you all
← H3050 Hebrew Lexicon H3052 →