יָרָה
𐤉𐤓𐤄
yârâh
H3384 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To throw, cast, or shoot—primarily an arrow or projectile; by extension, to point or direct, and in a metaphorical sense, to teach, instruct, or give guidance. Used both of concrete physical action (shooting arrows, casting lots, throwing stones) and of indicating, explaining, or instructing in law, ritual, or custom. The teaching sense arises from the idea of clearly pointing out a direction or instruction.
Semantic Range
to shoot (arrows, stones), to cast (lots), to direct or point out, to teach, to instruct, to give guidance, to inform
Root / Etymology
From the root יָרָה (ירה), meaning 'to throw, cast, or shoot.' The verbal form develops two main semantic branches: (1) to shoot, throw, or cast (esp. arrows, stones, or lots); (2) to instruct, teach, or inform, likely by analogy to pointing or indicating a direction. The metaphorical extension from physical direction to verbal instruction is well-attested in Hebrew and related Semitic languages.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the oldest layers of biblical Hebrew (e.g., narratives in Samuel and Kings), יָרָה is primarily used for the act of shooting arrows (1 Samuel 20:20, 2 Kings 13:17), or throwing stones (as in 1 Chronicles 10:3). In the context of war or hunting, the word retains this physical, concrete sense. By the monarchic period and especially in priestly or Deuteronomic texts, יָרָה develops a prominent metaphorical meaning: to teach or instruct, particularly in matters of law or ritual (e.g., Leviticus 10:11). The closely related noun תּוֹרָה (torah) reflects this root idea, originally signifying 'instruction' rather than 'law' in the narrow sense. Later, post-exilic texts and Second Temple literature typically use יָרָה almost exclusively in the sense of instruction, particularly in liturgical or didactic settings. English translations often obscure the connection between the physical and metaphorical senses, and the translation 'teach' can miss the figurative sense of 'pointing out' or 'making clear.' The alternate root spelling יָרָא in 2 Chronicles 26:15 is a variant, not to be confused with יָרֵא (H3372, 'to fear'). While the act of shooting or casting is central in earlier periods, the teaching/instruction sense dominates in priestly, wisdom, and later writings. The term is distinct from other Hebrew words for teaching (e.g., למד), which emphasize repeated instruction or learning rather than the moment of clear direction or guidance.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or (2 Chronicles 26:15) יָרָא; a primitive root; properly, to flow as water (i.e. to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e. to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by aiming the finger), to teach; ([phrase]) archer, cast, direct, inform, instruct, lay, shew, shoot, teach(-er,-ing), through.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
ירה (y-r-h) — to throw, to shoot, to point, to instruct
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3138 | יוֹרֶה | his early rain |
| H3139 | יוֹרָה | Autumn-Rain |
| H3140 | יוֹרַי | Rain-Causer |
| H3385 | יְרוּאֵל | El-Founded Place |
| H3400 | יְרִיאֵל | and El-teaches |
Word Forms
48 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3384-44 |
יוֹרֶ֥ה | yoreh | HVhi3ms |
he teaches | early rain | 6 |
H3384-17 |
מוֹרֶ֑ה | moreh | HVhrmsa |
teacher | Instructor | 6 |
H3384-46 |
יוֹר֨וּ | yoru | HVhi3mp |
shall teach | they will instruct | 5 |
H3384-38 |
יָרָ֣ה | yarah | HVqp3ms |
had shot | he shot | 4 |
H3384-07 |
ה֤וֹרֵ֥/נִי | horeni | HVhv2ms/Sp1cs |
Teach me | cause to instruct me | 4 |
H3384-01 |
הַ/מּוֹרִ֖ים | hamorim | HTd/Vhrmpa |
the archers | the shooters | 3 |
H3384-32 |
וְ/תוֹרְ/ךָ֖ | vetorekha | HC/Vhi3fs/Sp2ms |
and it will teach you | and she will direct you | 3 |
H3384-36 |
וְ/יוֹרֵ֕/נוּ | veyorenu | HC/Vhi3ms/Sp1cp |
and-he-will-teach-us | and he will direct us | 3 |
H3384-48 |
יוֹרֽוּ/ךָ | yorukha | HVhi3mp/Sp2ms |
instruct you | they will instruct you | 3 |
H3384-21 |
וּ/לְ/הוֹרֹ֖ת | ulehorot | HC/R/Vhc |
and to teach | and to instruct | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
86 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3384-39 |
Genesis 31:51 | יָרִ֖יתִי | yariti | HVqp1cs |
I have set up | I shot |
H3384-11 |
Genesis 46:28 | לְ/הוֹרֹ֥ת | lehorot | HR/Vhc |
to point out / to direct | to instruct |
H3384-30 |
Exodus 4:12 | וְ/הוֹרֵיתִ֖י/ךָ | vehoreytikha | HC/Vhp1cs/Sp2ms |
and will teach you | and I have directed you |
H3384-29 |
Exodus 4:15 | וְ/הוֹרֵיתִ֣י | vehoreyti | HC/Vhq1cs |
and will teach | and I instructed |
H3384-38 |
Exodus 15:4 | יָרָ֣ה | yarah | HVqp3ms |
he has cast | he shot |
H3384-25 |
Exodus 15:25 | וַ/יּוֹרֵ֤/הוּ | vayorehu | HC/Vhw3ms/Sp3ms |
and showed him | and he directed him |
H3384-40 |
Exodus 19:13 | יָרֹ֣ה | yaroh | HVqa |
shooting | shooting |
H3384-42 |
Exodus 19:13 | יִיָּרֶ֔ה | yiyareh | HVNi3ms |
he shall be shot | he will be shot |
H3384-12 |
Exodus 24:12 | לְ/הוֹרֹתָֽ/ם | lehorotam | HR/Vhc/Sp3mp |
to teach them | to instruct them |
H3384-21 |
Exodus 35:34 | וּ/לְ/הוֹרֹ֖ת | ulehorot | HC/R/Vhc |
and-to-teach | and to instruct |