a primitive root; to place permanently; establish, leave, make, present, put, set, stay.
Transliteration:yâtsag
Pronunciation:yaw-tsag'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb יָצַג (yâtsag, `{{H3322}}`) is a primitive root carrying the fundamental sense of "to place permanently" or "to set down firmly." Its semantic range extends to various nuances related to establishing, positioning, and leaving something in a fixed state. The core idea is one of stability and enduring presence. This can manifest in several ways:
* **Establishment:** To make something firm, secure, or enduring, whether a physical structure, a decree, or a relationship.
* **Placement:** The act of putting something in a specific location, often with an implication of purpose or permanence, as opposed to a temporary setting down.
* **Presentation:** To bring something or someone into a particular presence, setting it before another.
* **Leaving/Staying:** To place something and depart, with the understanding that it remains, or for a person to remain in a fixed position.
Unlike verbs that denote mere movement or temporary placement, יָצַג emphasizes the lasting nature of the action, suggesting a deliberate and often authoritative setting.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb יָצַג (yâtsag, `{{H3322}}`) appears in various contexts throughout the Hebrew Bible, consistently conveying its core meaning of permanent placement or establishment.
In narratives concerning the early Israelites, it describes the physical act of setting up monuments or objects:
* In [[Joshua 4:9]], Joshua "set up" twelve stones in the Jordan River as a lasting memorial, signifying the permanence of God's miraculous intervention.
* Similarly, [[1 Samuel 15:12]] describes Saul "setting up" a monument for himself, highlighting a human attempt at establishing a lasting legacy, though in this context, it speaks to his pride.
* In cultic contexts, it refers to the placement of sacred items: [[Numbers 17:4]] instructs Moses to "place" Aaron's staff before the testimony, a permanent act within the tabernacle.
Beyond physical objects, יָצַג (yâtsag, `{{H3322}}`) is used to describe the establishment of abstract concepts or conditions:
* The Lord's action in [[Isaiah 26:12]] where He "establishes" peace for His people, indicating a divine act that brings about a stable and enduring state of well-being.
* It can also denote the bringing or placing of people, often in a new, established context, as seen in [[2 Kings 17:24]] where the king of Assyria "brought" (i.e., settled, established) people in Samaria.
The verb also carries the sense of "presenting" or "setting before," as in [[Exodus 10:13]] where the east wind "brought" (i.e., set down, presented) the locusts upon the land. In [[Proverbs 22:28]], it refers to the ancient boundary stone "set" by the fathers, emphasizing the enduring nature of established landmarks and traditions.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of יָצַג (yâtsag, `{{H3322}}`) overlaps with several other Hebrew terms that convey notions of standing, placing, or establishing, yet each carries its own distinct nuance.
* **`{{H6965}}` (qum):** To rise, stand up, or establish. While similar in "establish," *qum* often implies a dynamic act of rising or restoration, whereas *yâtsag* focuses more on the static result of being placed or set.
* **`{{H5975}}` (amad):** To stand, remain, or endure. *Amad* emphasizes the state of standing or remaining in place, often without the preceding act of being placed by an external agent that *yâtsag* implies.
* **`{{H7760}}` (sum/sim):** To put, place, set. This is a very broad verb for placing. While *sum* can also denote permanence, *yâtsag* often carries a stronger connotation of deliberate, firm, and lasting placement.
Thematically, יָצַג (yâtsag, `{{H3322}}`) is deeply connected to concepts such as:
* **Stability and Permanence:** The enduring nature of divine decrees, covenants, and physical structures.
* **Divine Order:** God's sovereign act of setting the cosmos in order and establishing laws.
* **Foundation:** The idea of a firm basis upon which something is built or established.
* **Authority:** The act of placing or establishing often implies the exercise of power and authority.
Its antonyms would include verbs that signify removal, destruction, instability, or uprooting, highlighting the contrast between what is firmly established and what is transient or undone.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of יָצַג (yâtsag, `{{H3322}}`) is profound, particularly in understanding the nature of God and His interaction with creation and humanity.
* **God as the Ultimate Establisher:** The verb frequently describes divine action, portraying God as the one who fundamentally "sets" or "establishes." This is evident in His creative acts, where He sets the boundaries of the earth and the ordinances of the heavens. What God places is not arbitrary or temporary; it is firm, purposeful, and enduring.
* **The Permanence of God's Covenant and Promises:** When God "establishes" His covenant with His people, as implied by the broader semantic field, it signifies an unshakeable and eternal commitment. The stability inherent in *yâtsag* underscores the trustworthiness and faithfulness of God's word and promises.
* **Divine Order and Authority:** The act of God "setting" laws, leaders, or conditions speaks to His sovereign authority and His meticulous ordering of the world. It implies a deliberate design and an unalterable will.
* **Human Responsibility:** While God is the primary establisher, humans are also called to "set" things in order, whether it be establishing justice, setting up memorials, or adhering to boundaries. This reflects a human responsibility to maintain and respect the order God has established, or to create righteous order within their sphere of influence.
* **Contrast with Human Transience:** The firmness implied by *yâtsag* often stands in stark contrast to the fleeting nature of human endeavors or the instability of a world without divine grounding. What God establishes endures; what humans establish without divine sanction may prove temporary.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb יָצַג (yâtsag, `{{H3322}}`) encapsulates the powerful concept of "to place permanently" or "to establish firmly." Its core meaning emphasizes stability, fixedness, and enduring presence, distinguishing it from mere acts of temporary placement. Biblical occurrences reveal its application to both physical acts of setting up monuments and sacred objects, and the more abstract establishment of divine peace, laws, or populations. Theologically, *yâtsag* profoundly underscores God's sovereign role as the ultimate Establisher—the one who sets the cosmos in order, establishes His eternal covenants, and ordains His purposes with unwavering authority. It also highlights the human responsibility to respect and participate in the order God has established, recognizing the enduring nature of His divine decrees and promises. The word serves as a powerful reminder of God's steadfastness and the lasting impact of His purposeful actions.
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