יָד

𐤉𐤃

yâd

H3027 noun

SILEX Entry

Root יד hand (open), to grasp, to hold, to act

Definition

The physical hand, especially the open human hand; by extension, a symbol or agent of power, possession, control, strength, or personal action. In wider usage, refers both to literal body part and a wide range of figurative applications, such as authority, means, agency, care, responsibility, and proximity. May also denote side, direction, or part in spatial relations.

Semantic Range

hand (physical), power, agency, authority, control, possession, responsibility, care, strength, means, direction, side, border, proximity, part, portion, by/care of, through/by means of, manual labor, instrumentality, help, stroke, pledge, oath, mark, bystander, initiate action

Root / Etymology

Root: יד (y-d). The root primarily means 'hand,' with focus on the organ used for grasping, holding, or acting. The noun יָד derives directly from this root, emphasizing the function of the open, active hand. Distinct from כַּף (kaf), which tends to signify the palm or hollow of the hand, often with emphasis on holding or cupping.

Historical & Contextual Notes

יָד is the standard biblical Hebrew term for 'hand,' with usages spanning personal names, legal language (such as oaths, pledges, or transfer of property), ritual actions (laying hands on sacrificial animals), expressions of personal agency, and metaphors for power, control, or fate (e.g., 'into the hand of enemies'). In spatial or directional contexts, it may indicate 'side' or 'at/by the hand of.' In post-exilic and later Hebrew, the range remains broad, but distinctions with related terms are maintained (e.g., כַּף 'palm,' or זְרוֹעַ 'arm' emphasizing strength). English translations sometimes narrow the sense or obscure figurative uses by rendering as 'hand' even when 'power' or 'custody' is meant. In most contexts during the patriarchal, monarchic, and exilic periods, יָד retains its multiplicity—literal, metaphorical, and idiomatic. Later, Aramaic usage in similar expressions continues this pattern. The association of 'hand' with power, responsibility, and agency is shared with many ancient Near Eastern languages.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

יד (y-d) — hand (open), grasping, holding, acting

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3028 יַד by hand of
H3035 יִדּוֹ my two hands
H3045 יָדַע and his two hands

Word Forms

91 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3027-01 בְּ/יַ֖ד beyad HR/Ncbsc by the hand of by the hand of 263
H3027-79 יָד֗/וֹ yado HNcbsc/Sp3ms his hand his hand 157
H3027-63 יָ֑ד yad HNcbsa hand open hand 144
H3027-25 מִ/יַּ֥ד miyad HR/Ncbsc from the hand of from hand of 104
H3027-70 יָֽדְ/ךָ֙ yadekha HNcbsc/Sp2ms your hand your hand 89
H3027-78 יָדִ֤/י yadi HNcbsc/Sp1cs my hand my hand 74
H3027-10 בְּ/יָד֣/וֹ beyado HR/Ncbsc/Sp3ms in his hand in his hand 73
H3027-69 יָדָ֑י/ו yadayv HNcbdc/Sp3ms his hands his two hands 44
H3027-85 יְדֵ֣י yedey HNcbdc the hands of the two hands of 42
H3027-05 בְּ/יָדֶ֑/ךָ beyadekha HR/Ncbsc/Sp2ms in your hand in your hand 41

Occurrences in Scripture

1627 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3027-79 Genesis 3:22 יָד֗/וֹ yado HNcbsc/Sp3ms his hand his hand
H3027-29 Genesis 4:11 מִ/יָּדֶֽ/ךָ miyadekha HR/Ncbsc/Sp2ms from your hand from your hand
H3027-77 Genesis 5:29 יָדֵ֔י/נוּ yadeynu HNcbdc/Sp1cp of our hands our two hands
H3027-79 Genesis 8:9 יָד/וֹ֙ yado HNcbsc/Sp3ms his hand his hand
H3027-11 Genesis 9:2 בְּ/יֶדְ/כֶ֥ם beyedekhem HR/Ncbsc/Sp2mp into your hand in your (masc. plural) hand
H3027-25 Genesis 9:5 מִ/יַּ֥ד miyad HR/Ncbsc from the hand of from hand of
H3027-37 Genesis 9:5 וּ/מִ/יַּ֣ד umiyad HC/R/Ncbsc and from the hand of and from the hand of
H3027-25 Genesis 9:5 מִ/יַּד֙ miyad-2 HR/Ncbsc from the hand of from hand of
H3027-05 Genesis 14:20 בְּ/יָדֶ֑/ךָ beyadekha HR/Ncbsc/Sp2ms into your hand in your hand
H3027-78 Genesis 14:22 יָדִ֤/י yadi HNcbsc/Sp1cs my hand my hand