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יָצַר

𐤉𐤑𐤓

yâtsar

H3334 verb

SILEX Entry

Root יצר to press, to bind tightly, to be narrow, to form under pressure

Definition

To be pressed, constrained, or in a condition of distress or hardship; to experience narrowness literally or metaphorically. In its primary sense, the verb refers to being physically or emotionally in a tight or restrictive space, and by extension, to situations of trouble, anxiety, or affliction.

Semantic Range

to be pressed, to be constrained, to suffer distress, to be in anxiety or anguish, to be in narrow or straitened circumstances, to be besieged, to be troubled

Root / Etymology

Root יצר, meaning 'to press, to bind tightly, to form under pressure.' The specific verb form יָצַר here refers to the state of being or feeling pressed; it is distinct from other verbal stems from the same root which may mean 'to form, fashion.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, יָצַר is used to describe states of hardship or anxiety, especially in contexts where a person or group is beset by enemies, danger, or difficult circumstances (e.g., Judges 2:15; 1 Samuel 30:6). The term is often associated with physical siege or constraint, but more frequently conveys psychological or existential distress ('distress,' 'anguish,' 'trouble'). The development of the word’s metaphorical meaning parallels related verbs like צָרַר (tsarar, 'to bind, be hostile'). English translations may not always capture the full force of the term, sometimes opting for generic words like 'trouble' or 'distress' that do not convey the original sense of constriction or being pressed in upon. Contrast with צָר ('foe, adversary'), which shares the spatial metaphor but often refers directly to a hostile individual or group rather than the abstract state of difficulty. In later periods, the concept of 'trouble' associated with חָצֵר (hatzar) also appears but with broader nuance.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to press (intransitive), i.e. be narrow; figuratively, be in distress; be distressed, be narrow, be straitened (in straits), be vexed.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

יצר (y-ṣ-r) — pressing, constraining, narrowness, formation under pressure

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3335 יָצַר I will form you
H3336 יֵצֶר to formed-intent
H3337 יֵצֶר to Yêtser
H3338 יָצֻר and my formed-members
H3339 יִצְרִי Yitsrite clansman

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3334-04 וַ/יֵּ֣צֶר vayetser HC/Vqw3ms and he distressed and he was pressed 3
H3334-02 וַ/תֵּ֥צֶר vatetser HC/Vqw3fs and it distressed and she was pressed 2
H3334-06 יֵ֣צֶר yetser HVqi3ms distress will overtake formation-of 1
H3334-01 תֵּצְרִ֣י tetseri HVqi2fs you will be too narrow you (feminine) will be pressed 1
H3334-03 וַ/יָּצֵ֖רוּ vayatseru HC/Vhw3mp and they oppressed and they caused distress 1
H3334-05 יֵצַ֣ר yetsar HVqi3ms will be narrowed he will be pressed 1
H3334-07 יֵֽ֭צְרוּ yetseru HVqi3mp are narrowed they are pressed 1

Occurrences in Scripture

10 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3334-04 Genesis 32:8 וַ/יֵּ֣צֶר vayetser HC/Vqw3ms and he divided and he was pressed
H3334-04 Judges 2:15 וַ/יֵּ֥צֶר vayetser HC/Vqw3ms and he distressed and he was pressed
H3334-02 Judges 10:9 וַ/תֵּ֥צֶר vatetser HC/Vqw3fs and it distressed and she was pressed
H3334-02 1 Samuel 30:6 וַ/תֵּ֨צֶר vatetser HC/Vqw3fs and was distressed and she was pressed
H3334-04 2 Samuel 13:2 וַ/יֵּ֨צֶר vayetser HC/Vqw3ms and it was distressing and he was pressed
H3334-01 Isaiah 49:19 תֵּצְרִ֣י tetseri HVqi2fs you will be too narrow you (feminine) will be pressed
H3334-05 Proverbs 4:12 יֵצַ֣ר yetsar HVqi3ms will be narrowed he will be pressed
H3334-07 Job 18:7 יֵֽ֭צְרוּ yetseru HVqi3mp are narrowed they are pressed
H3334-06 Job 20:22 יֵ֣צֶר yetser HVqi3ms distress will overtake formation-of
H3334-03 Nehemiah 9:27 וַ/יָּצֵ֖רוּ vayatseru HC/Vhw3mp and they oppressed and they caused distress
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