Lexical Summary
yatsab: To stand, to set, to place oneself, to present oneself
Original Word:יָצַב
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:yatsab
Pronunciation:yah-tsab'
Phonetic Spelling:(yaw-tsab')
KJV: present selves, remaining, resort, set (selves), (be able to, can, with-) stand (fast, forth, -ing, still, up)
NASB:stand, stood, present, take your stand, took his stand, presented, station
Word Origin:[a primitive root]
1. to place (any thing so as to stay)
2. reflexively, to station, offer, continue
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
present selves, remaining, resort, set selves, be able to, can, with stand fast, forth,
A primitive root; to place (any thing so as to stay); reflexively, to station, offer, continue -- present selves, remaining, resort, set (selves), (be able to, can, with-) stand (fast, forth, -ing, still, up).
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. root
Definitionto set or station oneself, take one's stand
NASB Translationpresent (5), present yourself (1), presented (2), remaining (1), sets (1), stand (14), stand forth (1), standing (1), station (2), stood (7), take his stand (1), take their stand (2), take your stand (5), took his stand (3), took their stand (2).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
[] only
( Pa`el & derivatives; Arabic
be constant, firm) —
Perfect3plural 2Chronicles 11:13; consecutiveNumbers 11:16;ImperfectDeuteronomy 7:24 6t.;Job 41:2;Proverbs 22:29;1 Samuel 3:10 5t.; 3 feminine singularExodus 2:4 (but read compare Sam Ges§ 71 Köi, 430); 2 masculine singular2 Samuel 18:13;Habakkuk 2:1;Psalm 2:2 2t.;Exodus 19:17 4t.;ImperativeExodus 8:16 5t.:1 Samuel 10:19 6t.;infinitive construct2 Samuel 21:5 4t.; —station oneself, take one's stand, stand:
with phrase of place,Exodus 2:4 (E, with ),2 Samuel 18:13 (with ), figurative =stand aloof (VB Dr);2 Samuel 18:30 (with , "" ): with loc,Exodus 19:17;Numbers 22:22 (both E),Judges 20:2;Deuteronomy 31:14 (twice in verse), also (in sense ofhaving a place orposition)2 Samuel 21:5; with person1 Samuel 10:23, location2 Samuel 23:12 2Chronicles 11:14; with location,at, byNumbers 23:3,15 (JE),uponHabakkuk 2:1 ("" ),Psalm 36:5 (figurative); with person see below; with and personExodus 34:5 (subject ),Numbers 11:16 (both J E).
absolute1 Samuel 3:10 ( subject); especially of standing quiet and passive, to see the mighty deliverance ofExodus 14:13 (J),1 Samuel 12:7,16; 2Chronicles 20:17 ("" ); of taking a stand to fight1 Samuel 17:16;Psalm 2:2; in military arrayJeremiah 46:4 (with accompare),Jeremiah 46:14 ("" ); to answer a chargeJob 33:5;Job 38:14and they (terrestrial things)stand forth (in the light)like a garment.
with person =present oneself beforeExodus 8:16;Exodus 9:13 (both J),Proverbs 22:29 (twice in verse);Joshua 24:1 (E),1 Samuel 10:19 (see also
); so as servants or courtiers (see ), with implication of readiness for serviceZechariah 6:5;Job 1:6;Job 2:1 (twice in verse).
with persontake one's stand on the side of2Chronicles 11:13; with ,Psalm 94:16who will take a stand forme against the workers of iniquity ("" ); ofholding one's ground, maintaining one's position beforePsalm 5:6; so withJoshua 1:5 (D),Deuteronomy 9:2;Job 41:2; withDeuteronomy 7:24;Deuteronomy 11:25; absolute 2Chronicles 20:6
Topical Lexicon
Overview of Usageיָצַב appears about forty-eight times, scattered from Genesis through the Minor Prophets. The verb portrays deliberate positioning—people, armies, or even the Lord Himself taking a fixed, intentional stance. The contexts fall naturally into covenant administration, military engagements, worship, judicial scenes, and prophetic expectation. Together they underscore that true stability is found only where God places a person or a nation.
Standing in Covenant Contexts
When the Lord initiated or confirmed covenant dealings, יָצַב frequently marks the decisive moment. Moses “brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain” (Exodus 19:17). Israel’s posture signified submission to the Sinai covenant. Centuries later Joshua “stationed (יָצַב) all the tribes of Israel” before renewing the covenant at Shechem (Joshua 24:1). In both scenes the verb accents the gravity of covenant commitment: the parties must take an immovable stance before the Holy One who never wavers.
Positioned for Battle
Several battle narratives employ the verb to stress readiness under divine command. Confronted by the Red Sea, Moses exhorted: “Stand firm, and you will see the salvation the LORD will accomplish for you today” (Exodus 14:13). Jehoshaphat echoed the same theology centuries later: “You need not fight this battle. Take your positions, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 20:17). The verb, therefore, binds physical posture to spiritual confidence—victory belongs to those who remain where God tells them to remain.
Standing before God in Worship and Service
Priestly and Levitical ministry is often described with יָצַב. At Sinai the Levites were “to stand before the LORD to serve Him” (Deuteronomy 10:8). Hezekiah reinstituted temple worship and declared, “My sons, do not be negligent now, for the LORD has chosen you to stand before Him and serve Him” (2 Chronicles 29:11). Ministry is first a matter of being rightly placed in God’s presence; activity flows from abiding.
Judicial and Royal Assemblies
The word also frames courtrooms and throne rooms.Psalm 2:2 pictures rebellious rulers: “The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against His Anointed.” By contrastPsalm 82:1 portrays the true Judge: “God presides in the divine assembly; He renders judgment among the gods.” The juxtaposition warns earthly powers that their stance is futile unless aligned with the Sovereign Judge who is already “stationed” to rule.
Deliverance and Mediation
Moses again illustrates the theme when he interceded after the golden calf: “He would have destroyed them—had not Moses His chosen one stood in the breach before Him” (Psalm 106:23). Here יָצַב conveys sacrificial advocacy, foreshadowing the ultimate Mediator who stands before God on behalf of His people.
Prophetic and Eschatological Resonance
Prophets sometimes employ the verb to depict fixed certainty in future judgment or restoration. Jeremiah’s oracles against Egypt cry, “Harness the horses and mount! Take your positions with helmets on!” (Jeremiah 46:4), assuring that God’s decrees are as immovable as the armies He musters. In Zechariah’s vision the angel of the LORD is “standing among the myrtle trees” (Zechariah 1:10), a posture that guarantees covenant promises will be fulfilled.
Christological Fulfillment
The Gospels do not use the Hebrew term, yet its theological trajectory points to Christ. He is the One who “stands as a banner for the peoples” (Isaiah 11:10) and who, having done all, “stands” forever as King and Priest (Hebrews 10:12-13). Every Old Testament occurrence that links steadfast posture with salvation finds its consummation in the risen Lord who is “able to make you stand in the presence of His glory” (Jude 24).
Pastoral and Ministerial Applications
1. Identity before activity: ministry begins with being positioned by God, not self-appointment.
2. Spiritual warfare: victory requires remaining where God assigns, armed with His promises (Ephesians 6:13 echoesExodus 14:13).
3. Intercession: like Moses, leaders today are called to “stand in the breach,” pleading God’s mercy for the flock.
4. Assurance: believers may face hostile “kings of the earth,” but the Lord already occupies the ultimate bench; His decrees cannot be moved.
Conclusion
The theology of יָצַב weaves through Scripture like a firm foundation. Whether in covenant, conflict, worship, or prophecy, God establishes, sustains, and vindicates all who take their stand at His command.
Forms and Transliterations
הִֽתְיַצְּב֛וּ הִֽתְיַצְּב֥וּ הִֽתְיַצְּבוּ֙ הִֽתְיַצְב֗וּ הִתְיַצְּב֣וּ הִתְיַצֵּ֣ב הִתְיַצֵּ֥ב הִתְיַצֵּב֙ הִתְיַצֵּב֮ הִתְיַצָּֽבָה׃ התיצב התיצבה׃ התיצבו וְ֝יִֽתְיַצְּב֗וּ וְאֶֽתְיַצְּבָ֖ה וְהִֽתְיַצְּב֖וּ וְהִֽתְיַצְּב֛וּ וְהִֽתְיַצְּב֥וּ וְהִתְיַצֵּ֖ב וְהִתְיַצֵּב֙ וַיִּֽתְיַצְּב֖וּ וַיִּֽתְיַצְּב֞וּ וַיִּֽתְיַצְּב֤וּ וַיִּתְיַצֵּ֖ב וַיִּתְיַצֵּ֞ב וַיִּתְיַצֵּ֤ב וַיִּתְיַצֵּ֥ב וַיִּתְיַצַּ֔ב וַתֵּתַצַּ֥ב ואתיצבה והתיצב והתיצבו ויתיצב ויתיצבו ותתצב יִ֝תְיַצֵּב יִ֥תְיַצְּב֨וּ ׀ יִ֭תְיַצֵּב יִתְיַצְּב֣וּ יִתְיַצֵּ֔ב יִתְיַצֵּ֥ב יִתְיַצָּ֑ב יִתְיַצָּֽב׃ יתיצב יתיצב׃ יתיצבו לְהִתְיַצֵּ֖ב לְהִתְיַצֵּֽב׃ להתיצב להתיצב׃ מֵֽהִתְיַצֵּ֖ב מהתיצב תִּתְיַצֵּ֥ב תתיצב hiṯ·yaṣ·ḇū hiṯ·yaṣ·ṣā·ḇāh hiṯ·yaṣ·ṣə·ḇū hiṯ·yaṣ·ṣêḇ hiṯyaṣḇū hiṯyaṣṣāḇāh hiṯyaṣṣêḇ hiṯyaṣṣəḇū hityatzTzavah hityatzTzev hityatztzeVu hityatzVu lə·hiṯ·yaṣ·ṣêḇ ləhiṯyaṣṣêḇ lehityatzTzev mê·hiṯ·yaṣ·ṣêḇ mêhiṯyaṣṣêḇ mehityatzTzev tiṯ·yaṣ·ṣêḇ tiṯyaṣṣêḇ tityatzTzev vaiyityatzTzav vaiyityatzTzev vaiyityatztzeVu vattetatzTzav veetyatztzeVah vehityatzTzev vehityatztzeVu veyityatztzeVu wat·tê·ṯaṣ·ṣaḇ wattêṯaṣṣaḇ way·yiṯ·yaṣ·ṣaḇ way·yiṯ·yaṣ·ṣə·ḇū way·yiṯ·yaṣ·ṣêḇ wayyiṯyaṣṣaḇ wayyiṯyaṣṣêḇ wayyiṯyaṣṣəḇū wə’eṯyaṣṣəḇāh wə·’eṯ·yaṣ·ṣə·ḇāh wə·hiṯ·yaṣ·ṣə·ḇū wə·hiṯ·yaṣ·ṣêḇ wə·yiṯ·yaṣ·ṣə·ḇū wəhiṯyaṣṣêḇ wəhiṯyaṣṣəḇū wəyiṯyaṣṣəḇū yiṯ·yaṣ·ṣāḇ yiṯ·yaṣ·ṣə·ḇū yiṯ·yaṣ·ṣêḇ yiṯyaṣṣāḇ yiṯyaṣṣêḇ yiṯyaṣṣəḇū yityatzTzav yityatzTzev yityatztzeVu
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