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יַעַן

𐤉𐤏𐤍

yaʻan

H3282 conjunction

SILEX Entry

Definition

Causal particle introducing an explanation, justification, or reason; most often rendered 'because', 'on account of', or 'since.' Functions adverbially or conjunctively to introduce the grounds or motivation for a preceding or following statement. Often appears in divine pronouncements, legal texts, or prophetic speech to mark the rationale for an action, judgment, or event; it does not denote purpose or finality, but rather gives the pre-existing or motivating rationale for the stated situation.

Semantic Range

because, on account of, since, forasmuch as, inasmuch as, seeing that, for the reason that

Root / Etymology

Possibly from the unused root עוּן attested in other Semitic languages with the meaning 'to pay attention to' or 'to respond'. However, the exact etymology and root are uncertain, as no Hebrew verb עָעַן exists. The form יַעַן likely fossilized early as a fixed causal particle.

Historical & Contextual Notes

יַעַן appears throughout biblical texts, especially in formulaic speech from YHWH or in legal contexts, introducing the reason for a decision or action (e.g., 'Because you have done this...'). In exilic and post-exilic literature, its function remains as a causal marker. English translations usually render it as 'because', but the nuance may include 'on account of', 'since', or 'inasmuch as', depending on context. Other Hebrew causal particles like כִּי ('because', 'for') and עַל כֵּן ('therefore') partially overlap with יַעַן, but יַעַן emphasizes the reason or grounds for an action rather than logical conclusions. The term never functions to express purpose ('in order that'), only cause.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from an unused root meaning to pay attention; properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause; because (that), forasmuch ([phrase] as), seeing then, [phrase] that, [phrase] wheras, [phrase] why.

Bantu Hebrew

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

Root Family

עין (uncertain) (yaʻan) — to heed, pay attention, respond (uncertain)

Root עין (uncertain) to heed, pay attention, respond (uncertain)

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H3282-03 יַעַן֩ yaan HC because because because 96
H3282-02 וּ/בְ/יַ֜עַן uveyaan HC/R/C and-because and on account of and because 2
H3282-01 בְּ/יַ֡עַן beyaan HR/C because because because 1

Occurrences in Scripture

99 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H3282-03 Genesis 22:16 יַ֚עַן yaan HC because because because
H3282-03 Leviticus 26:43 יַ֣עַן yaan HC because because because
H3282-02 Leviticus 26:43 וּ/בְ/יַ֔עַן uveyaan HC/R/C and-because and on account of and because
H3282-03 Numbers 11:20 יַ֗עַן yaan HC because because because
H3282-03 Numbers 20:12 יַ֚עַן yaan HC because because because
H3282-03 Deuteronomy 1:36 יַ֕עַן yaan HC because because because
H3282-03 Joshua 14:14 יַ֚עַן yaan HC because because because
H3282-03 Judges 2:20 יַעַן֩ yaan HC Because because because
H3282-03 1 Samuel 15:23 יַ֗עַן yaan HC Because because because
H3282-03 1 Samuel 30:22 יַ֚עַן yaan HC Because because because
H3282-03 1 Kings 3:11 יַעַן֩ yaan HC because because because
H3282-03 1 Kings 8:18 יַ֗עַן yaan HC Because because because
H3282-03 1 Kings 11:11 יַ֚עַן yaan HC because because because
H3282-03 1 Kings 11:33 יַ֣עַן yaan HC because because because
H3282-03 1 Kings 13:21 יַ֗עַן yaan HC Because because because
H3282-03 1 Kings 14:7 יַ֛עַן yaan HC because because because
H3282-03 1 Kings 14:13 יַ֣עַן yaan HC because because because
H3282-03 1 Kings 14:15 יַ֗עַן yaan HC because because because
H3282-03 1 Kings 16:2 יַ֗עַן yaan HC Inasmuch as because because
H3282-03 1 Kings 20:28 יַ֠עַן yaan HC Because because because
H3282-03 1 Kings 20:36 יַ֚עַן yaan HC Because because because
H3282-03 1 Kings 20:42 יַ֛עַן yaan HC Because because because
H3282-03 1 Kings 21:20 יַ֚עַן yaan HC because because because
H3282-03 1 Kings 21:29 יַ֜עַן yaan HC because because because
H3282-03 2 Kings 1:16 יַ֜עַן yaan HC because because because
H3282-03 2 Kings 10:30 יַ֤עַן yaan HC because because because
H3282-03 2 Kings 19:28 יַ֚עַן yaan HC Because because because
H3282-03 2 Kings 21:11 יַעַן֩ yaan HC Because because because
H3282-03 2 Kings 21:15 יַ֗עַן yaan HC because because because
H3282-03 2 Kings 22:19 יַ֠עַן yaan HC because because because
H3282-03 Isaiah 3:16 יַ֚עַן yaan HC because because because
H3282-03 Isaiah 7:5 יַ֗עַן yaan HC Because because because
H3282-03 Isaiah 8:6 יַ֗עַן yaan HC Because because because
H3282-03 Isaiah 29:13 יַ֚עַן yaan HC Because because because
H3282-03 Isaiah 30:12 יַ֥עַן yaan HC Because because because
H3282-03 Isaiah 37:29 יַ֚עַן yaan HC Because because because
H3282-03 Isaiah 61:1 יַ֡עַן yaan HC because because because
H3282-03 Isaiah 65:12 יַ֤עַן yaan HC because because because
H3282-03 Isaiah 66:4 יַ֤עַן yaan HC because because because
H3282-03 Jeremiah 5:14 יַ֚עַן yaan HC because because because
H3282-03 Jeremiah 7:13 יַ֧עַן yaan HC because because because
H3282-03 Jeremiah 19:4 יַ֣עַן yaan HC Because because because
H3282-03 Jeremiah 23:38 יַ֧עַן yaan HC because because because
H3282-03 Jeremiah 25:8 יַ֕עַן yaan HC Because because because
H3282-03 Jeremiah 29:23 יַ֡עַן yaan HC because because because
H3282-03 Jeremiah 29:25 יַ֡עַן yaan HC Because because because
H3282-03 Jeremiah 29:31 יַ֡עַן yaan HC Because because because
H3282-03 Jeremiah 35:17 יַ֣עַן yaan HC because because because
H3282-03 Jeremiah 35:18 יַ֚עַן yaan HC Because because because
H3282-03 Jeremiah 48:7 יַ֣עַן yaan HC because because because
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