Strong's Lexicon
yatsar: To form, fashion, shape, create
Original Word:יָצַר
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:yatsar
Pronunciation:yah-tsar
Phonetic Spelling:(yaw-tsar')
Definition:To form, fashion, shape, create
Meaning:to press, be narrow, be in distress
Word Origin:A primitive root
Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: -G4111 (πλάσσω, plassō): To form, mold, shape
-G4110 (πλάσμα, plasma): That which is formed or molded
Usage:The Hebrew verb "yatsar" primarily means to form or fashion, often used in the context of a potter shaping clay. It conveys the idea of intentional and skillful creation. In the biblical narrative, it is frequently used to describe God's creative work, particularly in forming humans and other elements of creation.
Cultural and Historical Background:In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the imagery of a potter shaping clay was a common metaphor for creation and craftsmanship. Pottery was a vital craft, essential for daily life, and the potter's skill was highly regarded. This cultural context enriches the biblical use of "yatsar," emphasizing God's intimate and purposeful involvement in creation, akin to a potter's careful and deliberate work.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originthe same as
tsarar, q.v.
Brown-Driver-Briggs
I. (Late Hebrew
id.; Arabic
bind, tie up; so Aramaic ,
); —
transitive:
Perfect3masculine singularHosea 4:19;Proverbs 30:4;ImperativeIsaiah 8:16;Infinitive constructProverbs 26:8 (?);Participle activeJob 26:8;passiveHosea 13:12, feminine1 Samuel 25:29; feminine pluralExodus 12:34;2 Samuel 20:3; —bind ortie up, of kneading-troughsExodus 12:34 (E); figurative of a life preserved by ,1 Samuel 25:29; of preserving prophetic teachingIsaiah 8:16; of retention of guiltHosea 13:12; of 'sbinding waters in (a garment of) cloudProverbs 30:4;Job 26:8; =shut up2 Samuel 20:3; —Hosea 4:19 (si vera lectio) pregnantly,the wind hath wrapped her up in its wings, to carry her off;Proverbs 26:8like the tying up of a stone, but unintellig. in context (see Toy).
Participle pluralJoshua 9:4tied up (mended by tying), of old wine-skins.
intransitive:
Perfect3feminine singularIsaiah 28:20;Imperfect3masculine singularProverbs 4:12,Job 20:22,Genesis 32:8 +, etc.; —be scant, cramped, in straits; of scanty bed-coveringIsaiah 28:20 (in figurative); of land too small for () its peopleIsaiah 49:19 +Joshua 19:47 (for ) DrExpos. Jan. 1887, 59 Benn, compare ; of steps =be cramped, or impeded,Proverbs 4:12;Job 18:7 (both in figure); especially impersonal with person,Genesis 32:8and it was narrow for him = he was in straits, distress, soJudges 2:15;2 Samuel 13:2;Job 20:22, also 3feminine singularJudges 10:9;1 Samuel 30:6 (see Dr).
Perfect3masculine singularDeuteronomy 28:52 (twice in verse) consecutive; 1singularJeremiah 10:18;Zephaniah 1:17;Imperfect3masculine singular1 Kings 8:37 2Chronicles 6:28, 2Chronicles 28:20; 3 masculine pluralNehemiah 9:27;Infinitive construct 2Chronicles 28:22; 33:12; —make narrow for,press hard upon,cause distress to, with person,Jeremiah 10:18 (subject ),Zephaniah 1:17 (subjectid.);Deuteronomy 28:52 (twice in verse);1 Kings 8:37 2Chronicles 6:28;Nehemiah 9:27 (all subject foe), 2 Chronicles 28:20 (subject Tiglath-pileser); indefinite subject 2 Chronicles 28:22 (but read , and join to2 Chronicles 28:21, opposed to , Kit BuhlLex), 2 Chronicles 33:12.
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
be distressed, be narrow, be straitened in straits, be vexed
A primitive root; to press (intransitive), i.e. Be narrow; figuratively, be in distress -- be distressed, be narrow, be straitened (in straits), be vexed.
Forms and Transliterations
וַיֵּ֣צֶר וַיֵּ֥צֶר וַיֵּ֨צֶר וַיָּצֵ֖רוּ וַתֵּ֥צֶר וַתֵּ֨צֶר ויצר ויצרו ותצר יֵ֣צֶר יֵֽ֭צְרוּ יֵצַ֣ר יצר יצרו תֵּצְרִ֣י תצרי tê·ṣə·rî têṣərî tetzeRi vaiyaTzeru vaiYetzer vatTetzer wat·tê·ṣer wattêṣer way·yā·ṣê·rū way·yê·ṣer wayyāṣêrū wayyêṣer yê·ṣar yê·ṣə·rū yê·ṣer yêṣar yêṣer yêṣərū yeTzar Yetzer Yetzeru
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