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יָעַץ

𐤉𐤏𐤑

yâʻats

H3289 verb

SILEX Entry

Root יעץ to advise, to counsel, to deliberate

Definition

To give counsel, offer advice, consult or deliberate; in various contexts, to formulate an opinion, plan, or decision, either individually or in group deliberation. The term often implies a thoughtful, considered process involving communication and discussion, whether between humans, between humans and the divine, or among divine beings in certain passages.

Semantic Range

to advise, to counsel, to give advice, to deliberate, to consult, to resolve, to purpose, to devise (plan), to guide, to determine, to act as counselor

Root / Etymology

Root יָעַץ (יעץ), meaning 'to advise' or 'to counsel.' The verb derives directly from the root, which carries the notion of giving or formulating advice, offering guidance, or reaching a decision after contemplation. The root itself signifies the act of counseling or deliberating, rather than simply sharing information or issuing a command.

Historical & Contextual Notes

יָעַץ appears widely across the Hebrew Bible, most often describing giving or receiving advice, formal or informal consultation, or making counsel-based decisions. In the monarchic era, it is regularly used in political and court contexts—counselors advising kings, elders deliberating on matters of state, or military leaders weighing strategy. The process of counsel is often collective, involving elders or advisors (cf. Ezekiel 7:26; Isaiah 19:11-13). At times, it characterizes the role of certain officials (e.g., 'counselor'). In prophetic and wisdom literature, the word can refer to seeking or receiving sound advice or instruction (Proverbs, Isaiah). Sometimes counsel is good or divine (Isaiah 9:6; referring to the 'Wonderful Counselor'), or it can be deceptive, misleading (2 Samuel 16–17, the advice of Ahithophel). Unlike the related root עצה (ʿatsah, 'counsel, purpose'), which often functions as a noun for the content or outcome of deliberation, יָעַץ focuses on the process or act of advising and deliberating itself. In post-exilic and later Hebrew, the root remains productive, but in Biblical Hebrew it has a consistent semantic field centering on deliberative advice, without implying command or coercion. Most English translations render it as 'to advise,' 'to counsel,' or 'to consult,' which captures the basic sense, though sometimes may not fully reflect the nuance of collective deliberation or the process-oriented nature in Hebrew usage.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve; advertise, take advise, advise (well), consult, (give, take) counsel(-lor), determine, devise, guide, purpose.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

יעץ (y-ʿ-ṣ) — to advise, to counsel, to deliberate

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3263 יְעוּץ Counselor
H3272 יְעַט they took counsel together
H4156 מוֹעֵצָה in their deliberations
H6097 עֵצָה her counsel
H6098 עֵצָה counsel of

Word Forms

30 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3289-19 יָעַץ֙ yaats HVqp3ms has counseled he counseled 15
H3289-10 וַ/יִּוָּעַ֞ץ vayivaats HC/VNw3ms and he consulted and he took counsel 11
H3289-30 יוֹעֵ֣ץ yoets HVqrmsc counselor counseling one of 10
H3289-07 נֽוֹעָצִ֔ים noatsim HVNrmpa advise those taking counsel 5
H3289-29 יוֹעֲצִ֣ים yoatsim HVqrmpa advisers counseling ones 4
H3289-25 יְעָצֻ֑/הוּ yeatsuhu HVqp3cp/Sp3ms had counseled him they counseled him 3
H3289-21 יָעַ֗צְתִּי yaatseti HVqp1cs I have advised I counseled 3
H3289-04 אִיעָ֣צְ/ךָ֔ iatsekha HVqi1cs/Sp2ms I will advise you I will counsel you 3
H3289-16 וְ/יֽוֹעֲצָ֔י/ו veyoatsayv HC/Vqrmpc/Sp3ms and his counselors and his counseling-ones 2
H3289-20 יָעַ֥צְתָּ yaatseta HVqp2ms counsel have you given you counseled 2

Occurrences in Scripture

79 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3289-04 Exodus 18:19 אִיעָ֣צְ/ךָ֔ iatsekha HVqi1cs/Sp2ms I will give you advice I will counsel you
H3289-04 Numbers 24:14 אִיעָ֣צְ/ךָ֔ iatsekha HVqi1cs/Sp2ms I will advise you I will counsel you
H3289-30 2 Samuel 15:12 יוֹעֵ֣ץ yoets HVqrmsc counselor counseling one of
H3289-19 2 Samuel 16:23 יָעַץ֙ yaats HVqp3ms he counseled he counseled
H3289-19 2 Samuel 17:7 יָעַ֥ץ yaats HVqp3ms has counseled he counseled
H3289-21 2 Samuel 17:11 יָעַ֗צְתִּי yaatseti HVqp1cs I have advised I counseled
H3289-19 2 Samuel 17:15 יָעַ֤ץ yaats HVqp3ms has advised he counseled
H3289-21 2 Samuel 17:15 יָעַ֥צְתִּי yaatseti HVqp1cs I have advised I counseled
H3289-19 2 Samuel 17:21 יָעַ֥ץ yaats HVqp3ms has advised he counseled
H3289-05 1 Kings 1:12 אִיעָצֵ֥/ךְ iatsekhe HVqh1cs/Sp2fs let me counsel you let me counsel you
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