### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **yâsam**, represented by `{{H3455}}`, is a primitive root meaning **to place** or, intransitively, **to be placed** or **be put (set)**. It is a rare term, appearing only **2 times** in **2 unique verses** in the Bible, giving each instance a specific weight.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
This word is used in two distinct contexts in the book of Genesis. In one instance, it describes the act of hospitality where meat was **set** before Abraham's servant to eat, though the servant prioritizes his mission first [[Genesis 24:33]]. In the other, it refers to the final act of Joseph's embalming, where he **was put** in a coffin in Egypt after his death, marking the end of the patriarchal narrative in Genesis [[Genesis 50:26]]. Both uses convey the direct action of placing something or someone in a specific location.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide a broader context for the actions associated with `{{H3455}}`:
* `{{H7760}}` **sûwm**: A more common primitive root for **to put**, this word is used in a vast number of applications. It appears alongside `{{H3455}}` in the phrase "was set meat" [[Genesis 24:33]] and is used for actions like making a way in the wilderness [[Isaiah 43:19]] or appointing praise for God's people [[Zephaniah 3:19]].
* `{{H2590}}` **chânaṭ**: Meaning **to embalm** or **put forth**, this root is directly linked to the context of Joseph's death. Just before Joseph was "put" in a coffin, the text states he was **embalmed** [[Genesis 50:26]]. It can also refer to ripening, as when a fig tree **putteth forth** her figs [[Song of Solomon 2:13]].
* `{{H398}}` **ʼâkal**: This primitive root means **to eat** and provides the purpose for the action in [[Genesis 24:33]], where meat was set before the servant **to eat**. The Bible uses this term both literally, as in eating the good of the land [[Isaiah 1:19]], and figuratively, such as when Jeremiah **did eat** God's words [[Jeremiah 15:16]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H3455}}` is tied to its specific narrative moments.
* **Prioritizing a Divine Mission:** In [[Genesis 24:33]], the act of meat being **set** before the servant highlights a pivotal choice. The servant refuses to eat until he has completed his God-ordained errand, demonstrating that fulfilling a divine purpose takes precedence over physical sustenance.
* **Honoring Patriarchal Legacy:** The use of `{{H3455}}` to describe Joseph being **put** in a coffin marks the solemn end of the patriarchal era in Genesis [[Genesis 50:26]]. This careful placement signifies the honor given to a key figure in God's covenant history and the finality of his life in Egypt, setting the stage for the next chapter of Israel's story.
* **The Act of Placement as a Definitive Action:** In both its uses, `{{H3455}}` denotes a deliberate and final placement. Whether setting food to begin a crucial conversation or putting a body to rest to conclude a life's story, the word marks a point of transition and purpose.
### Summary
In summary, while **yâsam** `{{H3455}}` is one of the rarest verbs in the Hebrew Bible, its two appearances are significant. It is used to mark a specific, deliberate act of placement. From the setting of a meal that precedes the fulfillment of a divine promise [[Genesis 24:33]] to the placing of a patriarch's body in a coffin at the close of an era [[Genesis 50:26]], `{{H3455}}` captures moments of transition and finality within the biblical narrative.
TRV