from יָצָא; issue, i.e. offspring; those that came forth.
Transliteration:yâtsîyʼ
Pronunciation:yaw-tsee'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word yâtsîyʼ (`{{H3329}}`) is derived from the root verb yâtsâʼ (`{{H3318}}`), which fundamentally means "to go out," "to come forth," or "to proceed." Building upon this root, yâtsîyʼ specifically denotes "that which issues forth" or "that which comes out." In its biblical usage, it carries the precise meaning of "offspring" or "descendant," emphasizing the generative aspect of a parent or source. The semantic range of yâtsîyʼ is narrow, focusing almost exclusively on biological or ancestral progeny, highlighting the direct emergence of a new life from an existing one.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term yâtsîyʼ (`{{H3329}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, but this singular occurrence is profoundly significant:
* **[[2 Samuel 7:12]]**: In this pivotal prophecy delivered by the prophet Nathan to King David, the Lord declares, "When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring (יָצִיא) after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom."
* The context is the establishment of the Davidic Covenant, a foundational promise in Israelite theology. God promises David an enduring dynasty through a specific "offspring."
* The use of yâtsîyʼ here emphasizes the direct, biological continuation of David's line. The coming king will literally "come forth" from David's own body, highlighting the intimate and personal nature of this succession.
* This verse is crucial for understanding the messianic hope in Israel, as it points to a specific descendant of David through whom God's eternal kingdom would be established. The term underscores the human, yet divinely appointed, origin of this future king.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding yâtsîyʼ is enhanced by examining its relationship to other Hebrew terms:
* **yâtsâʼ (`{{H3318}}`):** The root verb from which yâtsîyʼ is derived. Its broad meaning of "to go out" or "to come forth" provides the essential conceptual foundation for yâtsîyʼ as "that which emerges."
* **zeraʻ (`{{H2233}}`):** Meaning "seed" or "offspring." This is a much more common and broader term for progeny in the Hebrew Bible, often referring to a collective lineage or posterity. While yâtsîyʼ emphasizes the *process* of coming forth from the body, zeraʻ focuses on the *result* – the descendants themselves. Both terms are vital for understanding the concept of continuation and inheritance.
* **ben (`{{H1121}}`):** The common word for "son" or "child." In [[2 Samuel 7:12]], the yâtsîyʼ refers to a son, making ben a directly related concept in terms of the individual person.
* **perî (`{{H6529}}`):** Meaning "fruit." It is often used metaphorically for the "fruit of the womb," referring to children or offspring (e.g., perî beṭen). This term also speaks to the generative capacity and the "issue" of the body.
These related words collectively underscore the biblical emphasis on lineage, generational continuity, and the divine blessing inherent in bearing offspring.
### Theological Significance
The singular, yet powerful, appearance of yâtsîyʼ (`{{H3329}}`) in [[2 Samuel 7:12]] imbues it with profound theological weight:
* **Davidic Covenant Foundation:** It is intrinsically linked to the Davidic Covenant, a cornerstone of Old Testament theology. The promise of an "offspring" (יָצִיא) from David's own body establishes the hereditary nature of the Davidic kingship, signifying God's choice to work through a specific lineage.
* **Messianic Prophecy:** Most significantly, this yâtsîyʼ is understood as the proto-type of the Messiah. The New Testament explicitly identifies Jesus Christ as the ultimate "seed of David" (e.g., [[Romans 1:3]], [[2 Timothy 2:8]]), fulfilling this ancient promise of an eternal kingdom established by David's true "offspring."
* **Divine Faithfulness:** The term highlights God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises. The "coming forth" of this offspring signifies God's active and sovereign involvement in human history and lineage to bring about His redemptive purposes.
* **Incarnational Implication:** It subtly points to the future incarnation of the Messiah. The divine King would literally "come forth" from human flesh, specifically from David's royal line, bridging the gap between God and humanity.
### Summary
The Hebrew word yâtsîyʼ (`{{H3329}}`), derived from yâtsâʼ (`{{H3318}}`), precisely denotes "that which comes forth" or "offspring." Despite its singular occurrence in the Hebrew Bible, its placement in [[2 Samuel 7:12]] renders it a term of immense theological significance. In this pivotal prophecy, God promises King David a direct biological "offspring" (יָצִיא) who will succeed him and whose kingdom God will establish eternally. This unique usage underscores the direct, personal, and hereditary nature of the Davidic covenant. Ultimately, the yâtsîyʼ from David's body is understood to be the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who fulfills this prophecy by emerging from David's lineage to establish an everlasting kingdom. Thus, yâtsîyʼ encapsulates the divine promise of a faithful and incarnate successor, central to God's overarching plan of redemption.
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