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יַיִן

𐤉𐤉𐤍

yayin

H3196 noun

SILEX Entry

Root יין to effervesce (uncertain), wine as fermented beverage

Definition

A fermented beverage produced from grapes, commonly referred to as 'wine.' Yayin refers specifically to grape wine, typically of an intoxicating nature, but in some contexts may generically indicate any fermented grape product. It is used both in ritual contexts (offerings, libations) and in ordinary consumption, with connotations ranging from festivity and blessing to potential for excess and abuse. The semantic range covers literal wine, figurative use denoting joy or abundance, and at times the consequences of intoxication.

Semantic Range

wine (fermented grape beverage); intoxicating drink; wine used in offerings/libations; wine as a symbol of abundance or joy; wine as cause of intoxication or moral warning; festive drink; drink associated with banqueting or celebration

Root / Etymology

From the root יין (uncertain, as no corresponding verbal form exists in Hebrew); possibly linked to an ancient Northwest Semitic root with cognates in Ugaritic and Akkadian (e.g., Ugaritic yn, Akkadian īnu), all meaning 'wine.' The root level meaning in Hebrew is obscure due to the lack of true verbal or nominal derivatives, but broadly signifies 'wine' or 'fermented grape beverage.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

Yayin is the principal term for grape wine in the Hebrew Bible, appearing from earliest texts (e.g., Genesis 9:21) through exilic and post-exilic literature. It is contrasted with other terms like שֵׁכָר (shekar, 'strong drink'), which likely referred to alcoholic beverages from other sources (e.g., dates, grain). Yayin was a staple at feasts, used in cultic offerings (libations, drink offerings), and linked with blessing, hospitality, and sometimes with excess or divine judgment. In wisdom literature and prophetic texts, yayin can symbolize both positive and negative outcomes. English translations uniformly render it as 'wine,' but at times the connotations (ritual, celebratory, or warnings about drunkenness) are broader than modern English 'wine.' The later term 'Jews' is sometimes used in reference to ritual drink offerings in English Bibles, but this term is not historically accurate for early Israelite or Judahite contexts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from an unused root meaning to effervesce; wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication; banqueting, wine, wine(-bibber).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

יין (y-y-n) — wine, fermented grape beverage, effervescence (uncertain)

Word Forms

25 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3196-19 יַ֖יִן yayin HNcmsa wine fermented grape wine 57
H3196-04 הַ/יַּ֖יִן hayayin HTd/Ncmsa the wine the wine 18
H3196-17 וְ/יַ֤יִן veyayin HC/Ncmsa and wine and wine 16
H3196-09 מִ/יָּ֑יִן miyayin HR/Ncmsa than wine from fermented wine 9
H3196-15 וָ/יָ֑יִן vayayin HC/Ncmsa and wine grape wine 8
H3196-01 בַּ/יַּ֨יִן֙ bayayin HRd/Ncmsa in wine in the wine 5
H3196-18 וְ/יֵ֤ין veyeyn HC/Ncmsc and wine and wine of 4
H3196-22 יֵינָ֑/ם yeynam HNcmsc/Sp3mp their wine their wine 4
H3196-16 וְ/הַ/יַּ֕יִן vehayayin HC/Td/Ncmsa and the wine and the wine 3
H3196-07 כְּ/יֵ֥ין keyeyn HR/Ncmsc like wine like wine 2

Occurrences in Scripture

141 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3196-04 Genesis 9:21 הַ/יַּ֖יִן hayayin HTd/Ncmsa the wine the wine
H3196-11 Genesis 9:24 מִ/יֵּינ֑/וֹ miyeyno HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms from his wine from his wine
H3196-15 Genesis 14:18 וָ/יָ֑יִן vayayin HC/Ncmsa and wine grape wine
H3196-19 Genesis 19:32 יַ֖יִן yayin HNcmsa wine fermented grape wine
H3196-19 Genesis 19:33 יַ֖יִן yayin HNcmsa wine fermented grape wine
H3196-19 Genesis 19:34 יַ֜יִן yayin HNcmsa wine fermented grape wine
H3196-19 Genesis 19:35 יָ֑יִן yayin HNcmsa wine fermented grape wine
H3196-19 Genesis 27:25 יַ֖יִן yayin HNcmsa wine fermented grape wine
H3196-01 Genesis 49:11 בַּ/יַּ֨יִן֙ bayayin HRd/Ncmsa in wine in the wine
H3196-09 Genesis 49:12 מִ/יָּ֑יִן miyayin HR/Ncmsa than wine from fermented wine
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