יָחַר
𐤉𐤇𐤓
yâchar
H3186 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To wait longer than expected, linger, or delay; to take more time than usual or required in fulfilling an action or joining an event. The term connotes intentional or unintentional extension of time, typically associated with waiting, lingering behind, or holding back. It often appears with the nuance of a person or group not arriving or acting as promptly as anticipated, sometimes implying hesitation, procrastination, or inability to depart when expected.
Semantic Range
to delay; to linger; to tarry; to wait longer than expected; to be slow in departing or taking action; to cause delay or hesitation
Root / Etymology
Root: יחר. Derived from the root meaning 'to linger, delay.' While the root is rarely attested outside the hiphil and hithpael stems in the Hebrew Bible, the root יחר seems to be related to ideas of time extension and waiting. Cognates in other Semitic languages are unclear; etymology beyond the Hebrew root is uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
יָחַר (yâchar) occurs only a few times in the Hebrew Bible, notably in Genesis (24:56; 43:10) in the context of deliberation, lingering, or delaying a journey. It most often appears in hiphil (causative) or hithpael (reflexive/reciprocal) forms, emphasizing the action of causing to linger or delaying oneself. In ancient narrative contexts, it signals hesitation or enforced waiting, often highlighting the urgency or impatience of another party. The common English translation 'to tarry' captures part of its sense, but can be misleading in modern usage; the root does not carry strong moral or negative connotation—it simply denotes the extension of time. It differs from related roots like אחל ('to delay') and אחר ('to be late'), both of which may also mean to be late but with differing nuances regarding intentionality or culpability. No evidence links this verb directly to later concepts of ritual delay or post-biblical technical senses; in both patriarchal and monarchic narratives, its usage is concrete, related to journeys and timing rather than abstract delay.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to delay; tarry longer.
Bantu Hebrew
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+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
יחר (y-ḥ-r) — waiting, lingering, delaying, tarrying
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3186-01 |
ו/ייחר | vyychr | HC/Vqw3ms |
but he delayed | and he lingered | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3186-01 |
2 Samuel 20:5 | ו/ייחר | vyychr | HC/Vqw3ms |
but he delayed | and he lingered |