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יָרַד

𐤉𐤓𐤃

yârad

H3381 verb

SILEX Entry

Root יָרַד to go down, descend, move downward, bring down

Definition

To go down, descend, or move from a higher to a lower position, either physically (such as descending a mountain, moving from inland to the coast, or traveling to a region of lesser elevation) or metaphorically (such as a decline in status or fortune). The term also extends to causing something or someone to move downward or to a lower status, including bringing, leading, or letting down. It is used for descending geographically, as when traveling from the central highlands of ancient Israel to the coastal plain, or for entering lower regions such as Egypt—which was often described as 'going down' due to its geographic position relative to the land of Israel.

Semantic Range

descend, go down, come down, bring down, let down, lead down, fall (metaphorically), move to a lower region or status, travel from uplands to lowlands, move from central regions to periphery, lower oneself in status or fortune, decline, go down into the underworld (Sheol)

Root / Etymology

From the root י-ר-ד, which conveys the idea of going or moving downward. The verbal form יָרַד is the basic Qal stem, while other stems (Hiphil) indicate causative or active letting down.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the biblical context, יָרַד is frequently used of descending from higher elevations (e.g., Jerusalem to the valleys or to the coast), reflecting ancient Israel's topography, where journeys to or from Jerusalem are described as ascending or descending regardless of compass direction. 'To go down to Egypt' is a formulaic expression, signifying not only geographic movement but also symbolic undertones, particularly in Israelite literature, where Egypt represents a place of dependency or danger. Metaphorically, the verb is sometimes used for a decline in strength, prestige, or fortune, and in poetic contexts, for going down into Sheol (the underworld). In later Hebrew and in rabbinic literature, the basic geographical sense remains but can be extended by context. The term is not inherently moral or negative but acquires such coloring where context indicates a downfall or loss. Distinct from verbs such as נָפַל ('to fall'), which often imply abruptness or defeat, יָרַד primarily emphasizes the movement downward, whether gradual or controlled.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively, to bring down (in all the above applications); [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ירד (y-r-d) — to go down, descend, move downward, bring down

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3382 יֶרֶד Descent
H3383 יַרְדֵּן in the Descender
H4174 מוֹרָד on the descent-slope

Word Forms

111 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3381-58 וַ/יֵּ֣רֶד vayered HC/Vqw3ms and he went down and he descended 42
H3381-93 יָרַ֥ד yarad HVqp3ms went down he went down 21
H3381-59 וַ/יֵּרְד֥וּ vayeredu HC/Vqw3mp and they went down and they went down 19
H3381-106 יוֹרְדֵ֥י yoredey HVqrmpc those who go down descending ones of 18
H3381-83 וְ/יָרַ֧ד veyarad HC/Vqq3ms and went down and he went down 17
H3381-99 יָרְד֥וּ yaredu HVqp3cp went down they descended 16
H3381-102 יֵרֵ֥ד yered HVqi3ms will descend Descending One 15
H3381-34 רֵ֖ד red HVqv2ms go down Go down 12
H3381-44 תֵּרֵ֣ד tered HVqj2ms let come down may you descend 11
H3381-23 לָ/רֶ֑דֶת laredet HR/Vqc to go down to descend 10

Occurrences in Scripture

381 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3381-58 Genesis 11:5 וַ/יֵּ֣רֶד vayered HC/Vqw3ms came down and he descended
H3381-31 Genesis 11:7 נֵֽרְדָ֔ה neredah HVqh1cp let us go down let us go down
H3381-58 Genesis 12:10 וַ/יֵּ֨רֶד vayered HC/Vqw3ms went down and he descended
H3381-58 Genesis 15:11 וַ/יֵּ֥רֶד vayered HC/Vqw3ms came down and he descended
H3381-05 Genesis 18:21 אֵֽרֲדָה eradah HVqh1cs I will go down let me go down
H3381-54 Genesis 24:16 וַ/תֵּ֣רֶד vatered HC/Vqw3fs and she went down and she descended
H3381-55 Genesis 24:18 וַ/תֹּ֧רֶד vatored HC/Vhw3fs and lowered and she brought down
H3381-54 Genesis 24:45 וַ/תֵּ֥רֶד vatered HC/Vqw3fs and she went down and she descended
H3381-55 Genesis 24:46 וַ/תּ֤וֹרֶד vatored HC/Vhw3fs and lowered and she brought down
H3381-44 Genesis 26:2 תֵּרֵ֣ד tered HVqj2ms go down may you descend
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