יָרַט
𐤉𐤓𐤈
yâraṭ
H3399 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To rush or throw oneself headlong, to act with reckless haste; to behave impetuously or imprudently in a way that leads to mishap. The word conveys a sense of acting without due caution or forethought, sometimes involving reckless or perverse behavior that disregards consequences. In specific contexts, it may indicate precipitate action that is viewed negatively, such as foolish or perverse choices.
Semantic Range
to rush headlong, to act rashly, to be perverse, to hurl oneself, to overturn or destabilize by impetuous action, to behave foolishly or recklessly
Root / Etymology
From the root ירט, which is not widely attested in Biblical Hebrew outside its primary verbal form. The apparent core meaning of the root is 'to rush, precipitate, act headlong.' Derivation may indicate an action performed with rapid, uncontrolled motion, especially one with negative outcomes. Cognates in other Semitic languages are lacking or uncertain, making the etymology uncertain beyond the root's attested uses.
Historical & Contextual Notes
יָרַט appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible (notably in Deuteronomy 32:20), with usage focused on the idea of rash, reckless, or perverse behavior, often with a negative or critical judgment implied by the context. The action described is not a neutral rushing but one marked by disregard for prudence or right conduct. Unlike related roots such as הָפַךְ (to overturn, to turn), which can be neutral or even positive, יָרַט is consistently used with negative connotations. Later usages (if any) are rare and do not materially shift its meaning. English translations typically render it with terms like 'perverse' or 'rash,' but these may fail to capture the nuance of impetuous, reckless, or headlong action that destabilizes proper order or leads to folly.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to precipitate or hurl (rush) headlong; (intransitively) to be rash; be perverse, turn over.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
ירט (y-r-ṭ) — to rush headlong, act rashly, behave recklessly
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4178 | מוֹרָט | peeled |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3399-01 |
יָרַ֥ט | yarat | HVqp3ms |
is contrary | he rushed headlong | 1 |
H3399-02 |
יִרְטֵֽ/נִי | yireteni | HVqi3ms/Sp1cs |
casts me | he will hurl me headlong | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3399-01 |
Numbers 22:32 | יָרַ֥ט | yarat | HVqp3ms |
is contrary | he rushed headlong |
H3399-02 |
Job 16:11 | יִרְטֵֽ/נִי | yireteni | HVqi3ms/Sp1cs |
casts me | he will hurl me headlong |