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יָנָה

𐤉𐤍𐤄

yânâh

H3238 verb

SILEX Entry

Root ינה to oppress, to treat harshly, to wrong

Definition

To oppress or treat harshly; to act with injustice or violence upon another. In biblical contexts, יָנָה describes actions that inflict harm, exploitation, or undue pressure on weaker or disadvantaged parties, often within legal or social relationships. The verb can denote both overt acts of physical violence and subtler forms of social or legal injustice.

Semantic Range

to oppress; to mistreat; to exploit; to inflict injustice; to abuse power; to do violence (in relational or legal contexts); to vex (through oppression); to harm unjustly

Root / Etymology

Root: ינה. Derives from a Semitic root meaning 'to oppress, mistreat, afflict.' Cognates in other Semitic languages confirm the general sense of oppression or maltreatment, though the precise nuance in Hebrew often emphasizes abuse of power or violation of rights over mere rage or uncontrolled violence.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, יָנָה frequently appears in legal or ethical contexts, especially regarding the treatment of sojourners (resident aliens), widows, and orphans (e.g., Exodus 22:21-22; Leviticus 25:17). The term consistently implies wrongful or exploitative behavior by someone with social, economic, or legal advantage. Unlike broader terms for violence (e.g., חָמָס, 'ḥāmās'), יָנָה tends to focus on systematic or institutionalized mistreatment rather than isolated acts. In exilic and post-exilic texts, the term continues to refer to oppression, often in the context of social justice. English translations sometimes render it 'oppress,' 'wrong,' or 'mistreat,' but may not fully capture the relational and systemic dimension inherent in יָנָה. The English word 'oppress' comes closest but can lack the specific overtones of legal or covenantal abuse present in Hebrew usage. Notably, the term is distinct from related roots such as עָשַׁק (ʿāšaq, 'to extort, oppress financially'), which emphasizes economic exploitation. יָנָה is more relationally or socially focused, involving any manner of cruel or unjust treatment, not restricted to economic oppression. The word does not denote 'pride' or general 'rage' in biblical usage, contrary to some older glosses.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to rage or be violent; by implication, to suppress, to maltreat; destroy, (thrust out by) oppress(-ing, -ion, -or), proud, vex, do violence.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ינה (y-n-h) — oppress, treat harshly, wrong, inflict injustice

Word Forms

11 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3238-09 תוֹנ֖וּ tonu HVhi2mp oppress you cause oppression 4
H3238-01 הַ/יּוֹנָ֔ה hayonah HTd/Vqrfsa of the oppressor the dove 4
H3238-03 ה֥וֹנוּ honu HVhp3cp they-vexed they oppressed 2
H3238-02 הוֹנָ֔ה honah HVhp3ms oppressed he caused oppression 2
H3238-06 נִינָ֣/ם ninam HNcmsc/Sp3mp oppress them their oppression 1
H3238-05 מוֹנַ֨יִ/ךְ֙ monayikhe HVhrmpc/Sp2fs your-oppressors your oppressors 1
H3238-11 יוֹנ֨וּ yonu HVhi3mp they shall oppress they will inflict oppression 1
H3238-07 תוֹנֶ֖ה toneh HVhi2ms you-shall-wrong you will inflict oppression 1
H3238-04 לְ/הֽוֹנֹתָ/ם֙ lehonotam HR/Vhc/Sp3mp to thrust them out to oppress them 1
H3238-10 יוֹנֶ֔ה yoneh HVhi3ms oppresses he causes oppression 1

Occurrences in Scripture

19 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3238-07 Exodus 22:20 תוֹנֶ֖ה toneh HVhi2ms you-shall-wrong you will inflict oppression
H3238-09 Leviticus 19:33 תוֹנ֖וּ tonu HVhi2mp you shall wrong you cause oppression
H3238-09 Leviticus 25:14 תּוֹנ֖וּ tonu HVhj2mp wrong you cause oppression
H3238-09 Leviticus 25:17 תוֹנוּ֙ tonu HVhi2mp you shall oppress you cause oppression
H3238-08 Deuteronomy 23:17 תּוֹנֶֽ/נּוּ tonenu HVhi2ms/Sp3ms you shall oppress him you will oppress him
H3238-05 Isaiah 49:26 מוֹנַ֨יִ/ךְ֙ monayikhe HVhrmpc/Sp2fs your-oppressors your oppressors
H3238-09 Jeremiah 22:3 תֹּנוּ֙ tonu HVhj2mp oppress you cause oppression
H3238-01 Jeremiah 25:38 הַ/יּוֹנָ֔ה hayonah HTd/Vqrfsa of the oppressor the dove
H3238-01 Jeremiah 46:16 הַ/יּוֹנָֽה hayonah HTd/Vqrfsa the oppressor the dove
H3238-01 Jeremiah 50:16 הַ/יּוֹנָ֔ה hayonah HTd/Vqrfsa of the oppressor the dove
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