English · KJV
H2974

יָאַל

yâʼal /yaw-al'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root (probably rather the same as יָאַל through the idea of mental weakness)
Meaningproperly, to yield, especially assent; hence (pos.) to undertake as an act of volition
KJV usageassay, begin, be content, please, take upon, would.
Idioms & phrasesidiom willingly

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of yâʼal — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word yâʼal, represented by H2974, conveys the concept of volition, assent, and contentment. It appears 19 times across 19 unique verses in the Bible. Its meaning ranges from being pleased or content with a circumstance to willingly undertaking an action, beginning a task, or attempting something new.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical narratives, H2974 is used to express both divine and human will. It describes God's sovereign choice, as in the declaration that "it hath pleased H2974 the LORD to make you his people" 1 Samuel 12:22. On a human level, it shows a person's decision to accept a situation, such as when Moses "was content H2974 to dwell with the man" Exodus 2:21. The word can also signify a bold undertaking, as when Abraham states, "I have taken upon me H2974 to speak unto the Lord" Genesis 18:27. Conversely, it can show obstinance, as the Canaanites "would H2974 dwell in that land" despite Israelite opposition Judges 1:27.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the scope of H2974 by showing the actions that result from this volition:

  • H3427 yâshab (to sit down, to dwell): This verb is frequently paired with H2974 to indicate a willing decision to remain or settle in a place. For example, the Levite "was content H2974 to dwell H3427 with the man" Judges 17:11.
  • H1696 dâbar (to speak): This highlights the decision to engage in significant speech. Abraham twice prefaces his appeal to God by saying he has "taken upon me H2974 to speak H1696" (Genesis 18:27, Genesis 18:31).
  • H1288 bârak (to bless): The connection shows a desire for God's favorable action, as when David prays, "let it please H2974 thee to bless H1288 the house of thy servant" 2 Samuel 7:29.

Theological Significance

The conceptual weight of H2974 lies in its focus on the will as the source of action.

  • Divine Pleasure: The word is used to describe God's sovereign pleasure and gracious will. His decision to make Israel His people was not a result of obligation but because it "pleased H2974 the LORD" 1 Samuel 12:22.
  • Human Consent and Contentment: H2974 establishes the theme of human agreement and acceptance. This is seen positively when Moses is "content H2974" with his new life Exodus 2:21 and negatively when the Amorites "would H2974 dwell" in lands they were meant to be driven from Judges 1:35.
  • Initiating Action: The term signifies the start of a momentous task. Moses "began H2974 to declare" God's law to Israel Deuteronomy 1:5, and David "assayed H2974 to go" in unfamiliar armor to face a giant 1 Samuel 17:39.

Summary

In summary, H2974 is a nuanced word that bridges the gap between internal decision and external action. It expresses more than simple agreement, encompassing the active will to begin, to undertake, to attempt, or to be content. From God's sovereign pleasure in choosing His people to a person's decision to speak or dwell, yâʼal demonstrates the critical role of volition in the biblical account.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 19 occurrences, inflected in 9 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • יּוֹאֶל
  • הוֹאֶל
  • הוֹאִיל
  • הוֹאַלְתִּי
  • הוֹאִילוּ
  • יֹאֵל
  • הוֹאַלְנוּ
  • הוֹאַלְתָּ
  • יֹּאֶל

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H3427 יָשַׁב a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remai H1696 דָבַר a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sen H1288 בָרַךְ a primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); a

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 19 verses across 11 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Judges (4 verses); never once in the other 28.

2
Genesis
1
Exodus
1
Deuteronomy
2
Joshua
4
Judges
2
1 Samuel
1
2 Samuel
2
2 Kings
1
1 Chronicles
2
Job
1
Hosea

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.