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יָאַשׁ

𐤉𐤀𐤔

yâʼash

H2976 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To lose hope, to despair, to give up expectation. In its primary usage, יָאַשׁ denotes the act of ceasing to expect or hope for a certain outcome, frequently in response to persistent frustration or calamity. Used both literally (of relinquishing hope for recovery, survival, or resolution) and figuratively (of emotional resignation). Sometimes carries the sense of being resigned to an irreversible situation.

Semantic Range

to lose hope, to despair, to give up expectation, to be resigned, to become desperate, to relinquish hope, to cease expecting, to have no prospect

Root / Etymology

From the root י־א־שׁ, which conveys the sense of abandoning expectation or hope. Although treated as a primitive root in many lexicons, some debate remains about whether it is an Aramaism or a rare, possibly borrowed, root. It is not used frequently in the Hebrew Bible, possibly reflecting a more limited or later introduction into Hebrew from cognate Semitic languages. The derivation relates conceptually to the notion of exhausting possibility and thus abandoning hope.

Historical & Contextual Notes

יָאַשׁ rarely occurs in biblical Hebrew, with most occurrences appearing in later biblical literature (e.g., prophetic or exilic texts such as Ezekiel or Jeremiah, and in Job). Its usage typically marks situations of profound distress, emphasizing a full loss of hope or expectation. While English Bibles often translate this term as 'despair' or 'lose hope,' the breadth of the root in Hebrew encompasses emotional, psychological, and sometimes even legal resignation. The term is distinct from words like נִתְאַשּׁ (nityaʼesh), a reflexive form found in post-biblical Hebrew and later rabbinic literature with a similar meaning. 'No hope' is an accurate gloss in many cases but does not always capture the nuance of resigned acceptance found in the term's less intense usage. There are no strong theological overlays on this word in its original context.

Translation Consistency

primary "despair" 5 occurrences

"Despair" is the natural, single-word verb that captures the typical sense across H2976—losing hope, giving up expectation, and emotional resignation. It covers both literal and figurative uses and will provide consistent, idiomatic renderings throughout the SIBI. (Phrases like "give up hope" are accurate but are multi-word; "despair" is the best single-word choice.)

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"hopeless" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to desist, i.e. (figuratively) to despond; (cause to) despair, one that is desperate, be no hope.

Bantu Hebrew

Language Bantu Word Transliteration Meaning
Kikongo yasa to become tired, to give up, to get worn out; (contextually, to be resigned or exhausted of effort)
Kimbundu kuyasa to be resigned, to exhaust oneself, to give up
Lingala koyasa to be tired, to give up, to resign, to be worn out

Root Family

יאשׁ (y-ʾ-š) — giving up, abandoning hope, despair, ceasing expectation

Root יאשׁ to give up, to abandon hope, to desist from expecting

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H2976-02 נוֹאָ֑שׁ noash HVNrmsa hopeless the despairing one the despairing one 4
H2976-03 וְ/נוֹאַ֨שׁ venoash HC/VNp3ms and he will despair and he has despaired and he will despair 1
H2976-01 לְ/יַאֵ֣שׁ leyaesh HR/Vpc to cause to despair to cause to despair 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H2976-03 1 Samuel 27:1 וְ/נוֹאַ֨שׁ venoash HC/VNp3ms and he will despair and he has despaired and he will despair
H2976-02 Isaiah 57:10 נוֹאָ֑שׁ noash HVNrmsa hopeless the despairing one the despairing one
H2976-02 Jeremiah 2:25 נוֹאָ֔שׁ noash HVNrmsa It is hopeless the despairing one it is hopeless
H2976-02 Jeremiah 18:12 נוֹאָ֑שׁ noash HVNrmsa hopeless the despairing one we have despaired
H2976-02 Job 6:26 נֹאָֽשׁ noash HVNrmsa one that is desperate the despairing one the despairing one
H2976-01 Ecclesiastes 2:20 לְ/יַאֵ֣שׁ leyaesh HR/Vpc to cause to despair to cause to despair
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