Lexical Summary
yehab: Burden, care
Original Word:יְהַב
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:yhab
Pronunciation:yeh-hab'
Phonetic Spelling:(yeh-hab')
KJV: deliver, give, lay, + prolong, pay, yield
NASB:given, paid, gave, granted, bestowed, give, gives
Word Origin:[(Aramaic) corresponding toH3051 (יָהַב - give)]
1. (literal or figurative) to give
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
deliver, give, pay, yield
(Aramaic) corresponding toyahab; -deliver, give, lay, + prolong, pay, yield.
see HEBREWyahab
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to
yahabDefinitionto give
NASB Translationbestowed (1), gave (2), give (1), given (14), gives (1), granted (2), laid (1), paid (3), passed (1), yielded (1).
Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Scopeיְהַב conveys the idea of an act of giving—bestowal, assignment, placing in another’s hand, or rendering payment. In the Aramaic portions of Ezra and Daniel the word functions in everyday matters (tribute, taxes) and in lofty declarations of divine sovereignty (dominion, wisdom, authority). The term therefore bridges the mundane and the majestic, highlighting that all “gifts,” whether political power or personal insight, ultimately flow from God.
Occurrences in the Biblical Narrative
Approximately twenty-eight occurrences are concentrated inEzra 4–7 andDaniel 2–7. Two principal clusters emerge:
1.Ezra 4:13, 15, 20; 6:8; 7:24—human governments receiving or withholding tribute, tax, and custom.
2.Daniel 2:21, 37-38; 4:17, 25, 32; 5:18, 28; 7:4, 6, 12, 14, 27—God “gives” wisdom, kingdoms, dominion, and glory.
Historical Context of the Exilic and Post-Exilic Periods
The word surfaces in documents issued by Persian officials (Ezra) and in court scenes under Babylonian and Medo-Persian monarchs (Daniel). Its placement in these settings underscores a recurring biblical theme: empires rise and fall at the discretion of the Most High. Amid foreign rule, Israel is reminded that true authority is never in the hands of earthly kings alone.
Theological Themes
1. Divine Sovereignty
•Daniel 4:17: “the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom He wishes.”
•Daniel 2:21: “He removes kings and establishes them.”
יְהַב affirms that every transfer of power is God-ordained.
2. Stewardship of Authority
Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, and the beasts ofDaniel 7 illustrate that kingdoms are loaned, not owned. When Belshazzar misuses the “gift,” the verdict is swift: “Your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians” (Daniel 5:28).
3. Messianic Expectation
Daniel 7:14: “And to Him was given dominion, glory, and a kingdom.” The ultimate, unrevoked יְהַב belongs to the Son of Man, foreshadowing the everlasting reign of Jesus Christ.
4. Tribute and Worship
Ezra’s references to taxes mirror a spiritual reality: what is “given” to earthly rulers pales beside what is owed to God. True worship includes surrendering resources, allegiance, and obedience.
Christological and Messianic Connections
Daniel’s vision of the Son of Man receiving dominion is echoed inMatthew 28:18, where Jesus declares, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.” The Aramaic term thus anticipates the New Testament proclamation of Christ’s universal lordship. The temporary grants of power in Daniel highlight the permanence of the kingdom granted to Christ.
Practical Implications for Ministry and Discipleship
• Humility in Leadership – Recognize all authority as a divine loan; wield influence as stewards, not owners (compareDaniel 2:37-38).
• Confidence in God’s Governance – Political turbulence does not nullify God’s control; He still “gives” and “removes” according to His purpose.
• Generosity and Giving – The same verb underlies tributes in Ezra; believers are prompted to “give” willingly, reflecting God’s giving nature (2 Corinthians 9:7).
• Evangelistic Hope – Because dominion has been given to Christ, the mission of making disciples rests on His granted authority (Matthew 28:18-19).
Summary
יְהַב threads through Scripture as a reminder that every gift—whether taxation in Persia, wisdom for Daniel, or global dominion for the Son of Man—originates in God’s sovereign hand. Understanding this word invites believers to trust God’s allocations, steward received gifts faithfully, and worship the Giver whose final grant of authority rests forever on Jesus Christ.
Forms and Transliterations
הַ֑ב הב וְיִתְיַהֲב֣וּן וִיהִ֙יבוּ֙ וִיהִיבַ֖ת וִיהַ֣בוּ ויהבו ויהיבו ויהיבת ויתיהבון יְהִ֔ב יְהִ֤יב יְהִ֥יב יְהִ֥יבַת יְהִיבַ֕ת יְהַ֖ב יְהַ֣ב יְהַ֣בְתְּ יְהַ֧ב יְהַב־ יִתְיְהִ֣ב יָהֲבִ֤ין יָהֵ֤ב יהב יהב־ יהבין יהבת יהיב יהיבת יתיהב מִֽתְיַהֲבָ֛א מִתְיְהֵ֥ב מִתְיַהֲבִ֣ין מתיהב מתיהבא מתיהבין תִּתְיְהִֽב׃ תתיהב׃ Hav miṯ·ya·hă·ḇā miṯ·ya·hă·ḇîn miṯ·yə·hêḇ miṯyahăḇā miṯyahăḇîn mityahaVa mityahaVin miṯyəhêḇ mityeHev tiṯ·yə·hiḇ tiṯyəhiḇ tityeHiv veyityahaVun viHavu vihiVat viHivu wə·yiṯ·ya·hă·ḇūn wəyiṯyahăḇūn wî·ha·ḇū wî·hî·ḇaṯ wî·hî·ḇū wîhaḇū wîhîḇaṯ wîhîḇū yā·hă·ḇîn yā·hêḇ yāhăḇîn yahaVin yāhêḇ yaHev yə·haḇ yə·haḇ- yə·haḇt yə·hî·ḇaṯ yə·hiḇ yə·hîḇ yəhaḇ yəhaḇ- yəhaḇt yeHav yeHavt yəhiḇ yəhîḇ yəhîḇaṯ yeHiv yeHivat yiṯ·yə·hiḇ yiṯyəhiḇ yityeHiv
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