a primitive root; to precipitate or hurl (rush) headlong; (intransitively) to be rash; be perverse, turn over.
Transliteration:yâraṭ
Pronunciation:yaw-rat'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root `{{H3399}}` (יָרַט, *yâraṭ*) is a primitive root carrying a core semantic range related to rapid, uncontrolled, or forceful motion. Its primary meanings include "to precipitate," "to hurl headlong," or "to rush." In its intransitive sense, it conveys the idea of "to be rash" or "to be perverse," suggesting an action or state characterized by a lack of considered thought or proper direction, often leading to negative outcomes. The underlying concept is one of being cast or thrown with force, or acting with a sudden, potentially destructive impulsiveness. This root emphasizes a lack of control, either from an external force causing one to be "hurled," or an internal disposition leading to "rash" or "perverse" behavior.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The root `{{H3399}}` (יָרַט) appears sparingly in the Hebrew Bible, with its most prominent and direct occurrence found in the book of Job.
In [[Job 16:11]], the verb appears in the Hiphil stem (causative), "כִּי יֹרִטֵנִי אֵל לְעַוִּיל וְעַל יְדֵי רְשָׁעִים יִרְמְיֵנִי" ("For God has hurled me over to the ungodly, and into the hands of the wicked He has cast me down"). Here, Job laments his suffering, expressing his perception that God himself has forcefully "hurled" or "precipitated" him into the hands of the wicked. The Hiphil form emphasizes God as the active agent of this violent, decisive action, casting Job into a state of extreme vulnerability and distress. The choice of `{{H3399}}` here powerfully conveys Job's feeling of being violently displaced and abandoned, not merely delivered, but *hurled* with intent. This singular, potent usage underscores the radical nature of Job's perceived divine abandonment and the depth of his despair, feeling as though he has been thrown headlong into suffering by an overwhelming force.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of `{{H3399}}` (יָרַט) connects it to several related concepts and roots. The idea of "hurling" or "casting down" resonates with verbs like `{{H7993}}` (שָׁלַךְ, *shālak*), "to throw, cast," or `{{H5307}}` (נָפַל, *nāphal*), "to fall," though `{{H3399}}` often implies a more forceful and perhaps less controlled act of propulsion. The notion of "rashness" or "perversity" links it to terms describing hasty or misguided actions, such as `{{H926}}` (בָּהַל, *bāhal*), "to be terrified, dismayed, or to hasten," often in a panicked way, or `{{H2648}}` (חָפַז, *ḥāpaz*), "to hurry, be alarmed, make haste." The sense of "turning over" or "perversity" might find distant echoes in roots like `{{H2015}}` (הָפַךְ, *hāpak*), "to overturn, overthrow," or `{{H6148}}` (עִקֵּשׁ, *ʿiqqēš*), "crooked, perverse," though `{{H3399}}` uniquely combines the physical act of being thrown with the moral or psychological state of rashness/perversity. Its distinctiveness lies in the immediate, often destructive, and uncontrolled nature of the action it describes.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H3399}}` (יָרַט) primarily stems from its profound usage in [[Job 16:11]]. In this context, it vividly portrays the experience of divine abandonment and perceived hostility. Job's use of this verb attributes to God a forceful, almost violent, act of casting him into the hands of the wicked. This is not merely a passive allowing of suffering but an active "hurling," which intensifies Job's sense of betrayal and the incomprehensibility of his plight. The word highlights the overwhelming power of God, even when that power is perceived as being wielded against the innocent.
From a broader theological perspective, `{{H3399}}` can serve as a powerful metaphor for the human experience of being suddenly and violently thrust into adversity, whether by divine decree, the actions of others, or the consequences of one's own rashness. It speaks to the fragility of human control and the often-unforeseen nature of suffering. While Job's lament casts God as the direct agent, the word's inherent meaning of "rashness" or "perversity" also carries an implicit warning against actions taken without wisdom or restraint, which can lead to one being "hurled" into undesirable circumstances. Thus, it touches upon themes of divine sovereignty, human suffering, and the consequences of unbridled impulsivity.
### Summary
The Hebrew root `{{H3399}}` (יָרַט, *yâraṭ*) fundamentally denotes the act of "precipitating" or "hurling headlong," and intransitively, "to be rash" or "perverse." Its primary and most impactful biblical occurrence is in [[Job 16:11]], where Job laments that God has "hurled" him into the hands of the wicked, powerfully conveying a sense of violent divine abandonment and deep suffering. This rare but potent verb accentuates the force and decisiveness of the action, whether by an external agent or through one's own uncontrolled impulsivity. Theologically, `{{H3399}}` underscores the profound experience of being thrust into adversity, highlighting aspects of divine power, human vulnerability, and the potential consequences of rashness.
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