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יַעַל

𐤉𐤏𐤋

yaʻal

H3276 verb

SILEX Entry

Root יעל to be useful, to profit, to benefit, to be effective

Definition

To yield benefit, advantage, or profit; to be of use or effective, often in contrast to being useless or futile. In the Hebrew Bible, יַעַל (yaʻal) typically refers to actions, objects, or situations that provide, or fail to provide, practical advantage, benefit, or success. The term may also convey the idea of being helpful, efficient, or valuable in outcome. It is frequently used in negative phrasing (e.g., 'it does not profit') to emphasize futility or lack of gain.

Semantic Range

to be useful, to profit, to be advantageous, to benefit, to succeed, to be effective, to avail, to be of value, to yield gain (intransitive sense), to have result (often negative: to be of no profit/avail)

Root / Etymology

The root ע-ל-ל (עלה) is generally associated with 'to ascend,' but יַעַל likely comes from a denominative sense meaning 'to go up, result in advantage, be useful.' Over time, the root developed a more abstract meaning centered on producing benefit or profit, distinct from the basic sense of physical ascent.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, יַעַל is most commonly found in negative contexts, such as rituals, actions, or objects that do not 'profit' (i.e., that confer no real benefit or are ineffective). The verb can be used both with people and inanimate entities as subjects. Notably, it appears in wisdom literature (e.g., Job, Psalms, Proverbs) to underscore the futility of certain actions. Different from other Hebrew verbs denoting profit (e.g., הועיל), יַעַל often implies the assessment of net value or utility. In the Septuagint and later translations, this term was sometimes broadened or interpreted in financial or material terms, but its biblical usage emphasizes practical outcome and usefulness.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; properly, to ascend; figuratively, to be valuable (objectively; useful, subjectively; benefited); [idiom] at all, set forward, can do good, (be, have) profit, (able).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

יעל (y-ʿ-l) — to be useful, to profit, to benefit, to be effective

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3132 יוֹעֵאלָה and Joelah
H3277 יָעֵל the mountain ibexes
H3278 יָעֵל Ibex
H3279 יַעֲלָא Wild-Goat
H3280 יַעֲלָה and female ibex of

Word Forms

9 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3276-08 יוֹעִ֛ילוּ yoilu HVhi3mp profit they will bring benefit 9
H3276-01 הוֹעִֽיל hoil HVhc profit he brought benefit 4
H3276-07 יוֹעִֽיל yoil HVhi3ms profit he will bring benefit 3
H3276-02 לְ/הוֹעִ֔יל lehoil HR/Vhc to profit to bring benefit 2
H3276-05 אֹ֝עִ֗יל oil HVhi1cs profit shall I have I will bring benefit 1
H3276-09 יוֹעִילֽוּ/ךְ yoilukhe HVhi3mp/Sp2fs will profit you they will benefit you 1
H3276-06 וְ/הוֹעֵ֛יל vehoeyl HC/Vha they profit and to cause benefit 1
H3276-04 נּ֝וֹעִ֗יל noil HVhi1cp profit we will bring benefit 1
H3276-03 מוֹעִֽיל moil HVhrmsa profitable one who brings benefit 1

Occurrences in Scripture

23 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3276-08 1 Samuel 12:21 יוֹעִ֛ילוּ yoilu HVhi3mp profit they will bring benefit
H3276-08 Isaiah 30:5 יוֹעִ֣ילוּ yoilu HVhi3mp will profit they will bring benefit
H3276-02 Isaiah 30:5 לְ/הוֹעִ֔יל lehoil HR/Vhc for profit to bring benefit
H3276-08 Isaiah 30:6 יוֹעִֽילוּ yoilu HVhi3mp profit they will bring benefit
H3276-08 Isaiah 44:9 יוֹעִ֑ילוּ yoilu HVhi3mp profit they will bring benefit
H3276-01 Isaiah 44:10 הוֹעִֽיל hoil HVhc profit he brought benefit
H3276-01 Isaiah 47:12 הוֹעִ֖יל hoil HVhc to profit he brought benefit
H3276-02 Isaiah 48:17 לְ/הוֹעִ֔יל lehoil HR/Vhc to profit to bring benefit
H3276-09 Isaiah 57:12 יוֹעִילֽוּ/ךְ yoilukhe HVhi3mp/Sp2fs will profit you they will benefit you
H3276-08 Jeremiah 2:8 יוֹעִ֖לוּ yoilu HVhi3mp profit they will bring benefit
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