Original Word: יַעַן
Part of Speech: preposition and conjunction; substantive; preposition; conjunction; preposition; conjunction
Transliteration: ya`an
Pronunciation: yah-an
Phonetic Spelling: (yah'-an)
KJV: because (that), forasmuch (+ as), seeing then, + that, + wheras, + why
NASB: because, definitely because, reason, since
Word Origin: [from an unused root meaning to pay attention]

1. (properly, but not used) to heed
2. (as preposition) on account of
3. (adverbially) because of (used to indicate the reason or cause)

because that, forasmuch as, seeing then, that, whereas, why

From an unused root meaning to pay attention; properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause -- because (that), forasmuch (+ as), seeing then, + that, + wheras, + why.

Word Origin
from anah
Definition
on account of, because
NASB Translation
because (54), because* (35), definitely because (1), inasmuch* (2), reason (1), since (1), so* (1), why* (1).

I. יַ֫עַן preposition and conjunction see below I. ענה.

יַעַן₉₆ properly substantive, purpose, intention, but always used as

preposition or

conjunction, on account of, because (for יַעֲנֶה, of the form יִצְהָר etc., Sta^{§ 259} Kö^{ii. 403}; compare mean, intend): — 1 as

preposition, rarely with a substantive, Ezekiel 5:9 יַעַן תּוֺעֲבוֺתֵיכֶם, Haggai 1:9 יַעַן מָה, Haggai 1:9 יַעַן בֵּיתִי; with a participle Ezekiel 36:13 יען אמרים because of men saying to you (but read probablyאָמְרָם, Co Toy Berthol); frequently with infinitive with, 1 Kings 21:20 יַעַן הִתְמַכֶּרְךָ on account of thy having sold thyself, Amos 5:11; Isaiah 30:12; Isaiah 37:29 (= 2 Kings 19:28) יַעֵן הִתְרַגֶּזְךָ אֵלַי, Jeremiah 5:14; Jeremiah 7:13; Jeremiah 23:38; Jeremiah 48:7, and often. (c. 18 t.) in Ezek., as Jeremiah 5:7 (read יַעַן הַמְ˜רֹתְכֶם), Jeremiah 13:8,22; Jeremiah 25:3,6,8,12.

2 As

conjunction:

a. יַעַן אֲשֶׁר (32 t.), usually with perfect, as Genesis 22:16 יען אשׁר עשׂית זאת because that thou hast done this, Deuteronomy 1:36 (Joshua 14:14), Judges 2:20; 1 Samuel 30:22; 1 Kings 3:11; 1 Kings 8:18; Jeremiah 19:4; Jeremiah 25:8; Jeremiah 29:23 (not Isaiah) +; with imperfect (in frequent. sense) Ezekiel 44:12.

b. יַען כִּי, Numbers 11:20 ׳יַעַן כִּי מְאַסְתֶּם אֶתיֿ, 1 Kings 13:21; 1 Kings 21:29; Isaiah 3:16; Isaiah 7:5; Isaiah 8:6; Isaiah 29:13.

c. יַעַן alone (23 t.), with perfect Numbers 20:12 יַעַן לֹא הֶאֱמַנְתֶּם בִּי, 1 Samuel 15:23; 1 Kings 14:13; 1 Kings 20:42; 2 Kings 22:19; Hosea 8:1; Isaiah 61:1; Isaiah 65:12; Isaiah 66:4; with imperfect (frequently) Ezekiel 34:21; of the future Ezekiel 12:12 because he shall not see, etc., (but ᵐ5 Co Kau Berthol לְמַעַן אשׁר לא יֵרָאֶה לָעַיִן): usually the verb follows immediately, but Ezek. sometimes puts the object first for emphasis, Ezekiel 5:11 יַעַן אֶתמִֿקְדָּשִׁי טִמֵּאתָ, Ezekiel 20:16,24; Ezekiel 36:6, compare Ezekiel 34:21.

3 יַעַן וּבְיַעַן, q.d. because and by the cause (that), followed by perhaps, Leviticus 26:43 (H) יען וביען בְּמִשְׁמָּטַי מָאָ֔סוּ, Ezekiel 13:10; יַעַן בְּיַעַז followed by infinitive, Ezekiel 36:3. (In all, reckoning יען (ו)ביען once each, 93 t., of which 20 are in 1-2 Kings, 11 in Jeremiah, 38 in Ezekiel; and only 9 in Genesis—2Samuel.)

Semantics and Function

יַעַן (yaʿan) functions as a causal connective—“because,” “on account of,” “inasmuch as.” Far more than a grammatical bridge, it frames moral logic: it discloses the reason behind God’s judgments, blessings, and narrative turns. When יַעַן appears, the reader is invited to linger on the divine rationale that undergirds the unfolding story.

Distribution across the Canon

Approximately ninety-nine occurrences stretch from Genesis to Zechariah. Torah, Historical Writings, and Prophets account for the majority, while Wisdom Literature furnishes a handful of instances. Its placement consistently precedes an explanation of divine response to human conduct—whether covenant fidelity or rebellion.

• Torah: 18 occurrences
• Historical Books (Joshua–Esther): 30+ occurrences
• Wisdom and Poetry: 5 occurrences
• Major and Minor Prophets: 40+ occurrences

Covenantal Logic and Divine Justice

1. Genesis inaugurates the pattern. To the serpent the LORD declares, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock” (Genesis 3:14). The same term frames Adam’s sentence in Genesis 3:17.
2. At Moriah, יַעַן introduces blessing: “Because you have done this and have not withheld your only son, I will surely bless you” (Genesis 22:16–17). The patriarchal promise is explicitly tied to obedient faith.
3. Numbers 20:12 points to the gravity of misrepresenting God: “Because you did not believe Me to uphold My holiness … you will not bring this assembly into the land.”

Covenant stipulations are never arbitrary. יַעַן ties the deed to the decree, underscoring that divine actions proceed from unwavering righteousness.

Narrative Illustrations of Reward and Reproof

• Deuteronomy 1:36 celebrates Caleb: “Because he has followed the LORD fully.”
• 1 Kings 3:11 links Solomon’s request for wisdom to unparalleled blessing: “Because you have asked for this and not for long life or riches … I will do as you have asked.”
• Conversely, 1 Kings 11:11 introduces the rending of the kingdom: “Because you have done this and have not kept My covenant … I will surely tear the kingdom away from you.”

Prophetic Pronouncements

The prophets employ יַעַן as a courtroom “because” that substantiates judgment:

• Isaiah 30:12–13: “Because you have rejected this word … this iniquity will be to you like a breach about to fall.”
• Jeremiah 29:19: “Because they have not listened to My words … I will pursue them with sword, famine, and plague.”
• Ezekiel 5:11: “Therefore, as surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, because you have defiled My sanctuary … I will withdraw My favor.”
• Amos 5:11: “Therefore, because you trample on the poor … you will not dwell in the houses you build.”
• Zephaniah 2:10: “This they shall have in return for their pride, because they taunted and mocked the people of the LORD of Hosts.”

Each instance demonstrates that judgment is neither capricious nor sudden; it is reasoned, proportional, and covenantal.

Positive Outcomes and Remnant Hope

Although many uses are judicial, יַעַן also anchors hope:

• Isaiah 38:5: “I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; surely I will add fifteen years to your life.” Hezekiah’s plea becomes the causal basis of divine healing.
• Zechariah 8:13: “Just as you were a curse among the nations … so I will save you, and you will be a blessing.” Restoration, too, is explained.

Wisdom Literature

Proverbs 1:24–26 (implicitly יַעַן) voices wisdom’s lament, stitching action to consequence: refusal to heed leads to calamity. Psalm 109:16 echoes the same: “Because he did not remember to show loving devotion …” The moral order is consistent whether spoken by God, wisdom personified, or the psalmist.

Christological Horizon

The New Testament often mirrors the causal dynamic embedded in יַעַן. Peter, for instance, explains the outpouring of judgment in Acts 2 with “because” language drawn from Joel. Ultimately, the cross itself is the climactic causal statement: “Because of His great love for us” (echoed in Ephesians 2:4). The logic of יַעַן—divine response grounded in reason—reaches its apex in the atoning work of Christ, where divine justice and mercy converge.

Ministry and Discipleship Implications

1. Preaching: יַעַן invites pastors to unveil the “why” behind Scripture’s “what,” cultivating congregations that see God’s dealings as coherent and just.
2. Counseling: The term encourages believers to trace consequences back to causes, fostering repentance and gratitude.
3. Ethical Formation: By highlighting moral causality, יַעַן undergirds a worldview where obedience matters and grace is never arbitrary.
4. Missional Apologetics: Showing that biblical judgments are reasoned counters caricatures of divine tyranny and affirms the consistency of the biblical narrative.

Summary

יַעַן binds divine speech to divine action. Whether uttered in Eden, Sinai, Jerusalem, or Babylon, the word insists that God acts with purpose. Through judgment and mercy, ruin and restoration, the causal logic of יַעַן magnifies the holiness, faithfulness, and steadfast love of the LORD from Genesis to Zechariah—and ultimately to the cross and empty tomb.

בְּיַ֡עַן ביען וּבְיַ֔עַן וּבְיַ֜עַן וביען יַ֕עַן יַ֖עַן יַ֗עַן יַ֚עַן יַ֛עַן יַ֜עַן יַ֠עַן יַ֡עַן יַ֣עַן יַ֣עַן ׀ יַ֤עַן יַ֥עַן יַ֧עַן יַעַן֩ יען bə·ya·‘an bəya‘an beYaan ū·ḇə·ya·‘an ūḇəya‘an uveYaan ya‘an ya·‘an YaanInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts