יָשַׂם
𐤉𐤔𐤌
yâsam
H3455 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To place, set, put, or lay (an object or person) somewhere intentionally; intransitively, to be set or established in a position. The word frequently refers to placing something in a specific location or arrangement, either physically or figuratively, including establishing something in a certain state or condition, instituting an action or status, or appointing someone to a role. It can also denote assigning or attributing a quality or action.
Semantic Range
to place, to set, to put, to lay, to appoint, to establish, to assign, to attribute, to institute, to be placed, to be set, to be appointed
Root / Etymology
Root: יָשַׂם (yśm). The core meaning is 'to set, place, put.' The verb יָשַׂם appears to be a cognate of the Northwest Semitic root (cf. Ugaritic yṯm), with similar meanings in ancient Hebrew and cognate languages. The primary sense is placing or setting, though the form in Hebrew is less common than the more widely attested שׂוּם (śum), which carries much of the same semantic domain. In Hebrew, יָשַׂם is typically used in the Qal or Hophal stems, with Niphal attested rarely.
Historical & Contextual Notes
יָשַׂם is a relatively rare root in the Hebrew Bible and is most often found in poetic or archaic language, such as in the Psalms and Job. It tends to be used synonymously with שׂוּם (śum, 'to put, set, place'), but may carry a slightly more formal or literary flavor. The use of יָשַׂם does not significantly shift in meaning throughout the major periods of biblical Hebrew, but its rarity means related verbs (especially שׂוּם) became dominant in later usage. English translations almost always render it as 'place,' 'put,' or 'set,' which are appropriate, but context may also require more abstract translations such as 'appoint' (for office or status) or 'establish' (for conditions). The verb is both transitive (actively placing) and intransitive/passive (being placed), depending on the stem used. Other nuances include setting one's mind to something, assigning fate or blame, or establishing a decree. The passive and causative stems highlight the sense of something being made to be placed or established by an outside agent.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to place; intransitively, to be placed; be put (set).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
יׂשם (y-ś-m) — to set, to place, to put
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3455-01 |
וַ/יִּ֥ישֶׂם | vayisem | HC/Vqw3ms |
and he was put | and he set | 1 |
H3455-02 |
ו/יישם | vyyshm | HC/VQw3ms |
and he set | and he was set | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3455-02 |
Genesis 24:33 | ו/יישם | vyyshm | HC/VQw3ms |
and he set | and he was set |
H3455-01 |
Genesis 50:26 | וַ/יִּ֥ישֶׂם | vayisem | HC/Vqw3ms |
and he was put | and he set |