Original Word: יָהַב
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: yahab
Pronunciation: yah-hab'
Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-hab')
KJV: ascribe, bring, come on, give, go, set, take
NASB: give, ascribe, come, choose, here, place, provide
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. (literally or figuratively) to give
2. (generally) to put
3. (imperatively, reflexively) come

ascribe, bring, come on, give, go, set, take

A primitive root; to give (whether literal or figurative); generally, to put; imperatively (reflexive) come -- ascribe, bring, come on, give, go, set, take.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to give
NASB Translation
ascribe (10), choose (1), come (4), give (15), here (1), place (1), provide (1).

[יָהַב] verb give (Aramaic יְהַב, ; Arabic ; Ethiopic : Sabean והב DHM^{ZMG xxix. 1875, 614 f.} ול יהב Id^{ib. 603}) — only

Qal Imperative הַב Proverbs 30:15 (twice in verse); emphatic הָ֫בָה Genesis 11:3 10t. (6 t. followed by monosyllabic); הָבָ֫ה Genesis 29:21 before guttural (Di on Genesis 28:2 Kö^{i. 418}), feminine singular הָבִ֫י Ruth 3:15; masculine plural הָב֫וּ; Genesis 47:16 16t.; הָ֫בוּ לִ֑י Job 6:22 (on these forms see also Sta^{§606 a} Bö^{i. 225} Ges^{§ 69}. 2, R. 2); —

1 give, followed by accusative Genesis 29:21(E) give (me) my wife, Genesis 47:16 (J), Ruth 3:15; Zechariah 11:12 (pirce); of giving (i.e. causing to come forth, in deciding by lot) Urim and Thummim 1 Samuel 14:41 (twice in verse) (ᵐ5 We Dr, see אוּרִים); followed by accusative of thing + לִי Genesis 30:1(E), Judges 1:15; accusative of thing + לָנוּ Genesis 47:15 (J), Psalm 60:13 = Psalm 108:13; שָהבוּ לִ֑י Job 6:22 (no accusative expressed); absolute שַה֫ב "" הַ֤ב Proverbs 30:15.

2 = set, followed by accusative (Uriah) + אֶלמֿוּל מְּנֵי הַמִּלְחָמָה 2 Samuel 11:15 set Uriah in the fore-front of the battle.

3 with reflex. לִ (see ל,

5h) = provide, with accusative הָבוּ לָכֶם אֲנָשִׁים חֲכָמִים Deuteronomy 1:13; Joshua 18:4 (JE), Judges 20:7; 2 Samuel 16:20.

4 ascribe glory, etc., to ׳י (God): with כבוד לְ Psalm 29:1 (twice in verse); Psalm 29:2 = Psalm 96:7 (twice in verse); Psalm 96:8 = 1 Chronicles 16:28 (twice in verse); 1 Chronicles 16:29; גֹדֶל לאלהינו ׳ה Deuteronomy 32:3 (poem) ascribe greatness to, our God.

5 = come now (originally grant, permit), before voluntative: Genesis 11:3,4,7; Genesis 38:16 (all J), Exodus 1:10 (E).

יְהַב verb give (ᵑ7 Syriac; compare Biblical Hebrew); —

Pe`al Perfect3masculine singular ׳י Ezra 5:12 +; 2 masculine singular יְהַבְתְּ Daniel 2:23; 3masculine plural וִיהַ֫בוּ Daniel 3:28; Imperative masculine singular הַב (K^{§ 11. 3. a})) Daniel 5:17; Participle active יָהֵב Daniel 2:21, plural יָָֽהֲבִין Daniel 6:3; —

1 give, accusative of thing + ל person Daniel 2:48; Daniel 5:17, also (subject God) Daniel 2:21,23,37,38; Daniel 5:18,19; give report Daniel 6:3 (ל person); give over, accusative of person + בְּיַד (יַד

2) Ezra 5:12 (subject God); give up, surrender Daniel 3:28 (one's body, accusative).

2 place, lay foundations Ezra 5:16 (Nabataean also place Cooke^{102, 1. 6} SAC^{JQ 1904, 274}; see

2 Schulth^{Lex; and ZAW xxii (1902), 162}; compare D^{WB 171}).

Pe`il (W<sup>CG 224</sup>), be given, subject thing, with ל person: 3 masculine singular יְהִיב Ezra 7:4,6, יְהִב Ezra 7:14; Ezra 7:22, 3feminine singular יְהִיבַת Ezra 5:28; Ezra 7:12; Ezra 7:27; 3masculine plural וִיהִ֫יבוּ Ezra 5:14; be given up (ל of flame) Daniel 7:11. Hithpe`el Imperfect3masculine singular יִתְיְהֵב Daniel 4:13, 3feminine singular תִּתְיְה֑ב Ezra 6:4; 3masculine plural יִתְיַהֲבוּן Daniel 7:25; Participle מִתְיְהֵב Ezra 4:20; Ezra 6:9, feminine singular מִתְיִהֲבָא Ezra 6:8, plural בין- Ezra 7:19; —

1 be given, subject thing, ל person Daniel 4:13; Ezra 6:9; Ezra 7:19; be given over, subject person בִּידֵהּ (יַד 2) Daniel 7:25.

2 be paid, of cost Ezra 6:4 (מִן of source), Ezra 6:8 (ל person), toll Ezra 4:20 (ל person).

Definition and Scope

יָהַב (yahab) is a common Semitic verb of action and request that appears roughly thirty-three times in the Hebrew Scriptures. It carries the sense of “give,” “grant,” or “provide,” sometimes shading into “yield,” “ascribe,” or “cast.” While simple in form, its canonical usage ranges from urgent human petitions to solemn covenant obligations and calls to entrust oneself to the LORD.

Distribution Across the Old Testament Canon

• Torah – Genesis 29:21; 30:26, 28; 31:35; 34:12, and other family or tribal negotiations.
• Historical Books – Judges 1:15; 8:24; 1 Samuel 1:17; 30:22; 2 Samuel 11:15; 1 Kings 20:5–7; 2 Kings 3:15; 2 Chronicles 25:9, etc.
• Wisdom and Poetic Writings – Job 6:22; Psalm 29:1; 55:22 (via the derivative יְהַב, “burden”).
• Prophets – Hosea 10:12; Joel 2:23; Jonah 1:14; Habakkuk 2:6.

Key Theological Themes

1. Human Petition and Dependence

Ruth, Jacob, Hannah, and many others use יָהַב in direct requests, highlighting the biblical pattern of humble appeal. Jacob’s “Give me my wife” (Genesis 29:21) and Hannah’s “May the God of Israel grant your petition” (1 Samuel 1:17) show that even patriarchs and prophets recognize that needed blessings are ultimately bestowed, not seized.

2. Covenant and Obligation

In Genesis 34:12 Shechem offers, “Ask me ever so much dowry and gift, and I will give according as you say.” The verb marks legal transactions that protect families and tribes, reinforcing the covenantal fabric of society. When kings demand tribute (1 Kings 20:5–7), יָהַב demonstrates political subservience in the ancient Near East.

3. Worship: Ascribing Glory

Psalm 29:1 commands, “Ascribe to the LORD, O sons of the mighty, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength”. Here יָהַב transcends material giving; worshipers yield honor to God, acknowledging His supremacy.

4. Casting Burdens on the LORD

“Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken” (Psalm 55:22). The derivative noun draws out the pastoral dimension: believers can place (“give”) their heaviest loads onto the covenant-keeping God.

5. Prophetic Calls to Righteous Action

Hosea 10:12 urges, “Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of loving devotion, and break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the LORD until He comes and showers righteousness upon you.” The imperative “shower” (יָהַב) depicts divine generosity expected to follow sincere repentance. Joel 2:23, similarly, calls the people to rejoice as God “sends” (lit. “gives”) the former and latter rains—a tangible pledge of restoration.

Representative Occurrences

Genesis 30:28 – “Name your wages, and I will give it.”

Judges 1:15 – “Give me a blessing, for you have given me land in the Negev; now give me springs of water.”

2 Samuel 11:15 – “Place Uriah at the front where the fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him so that he will be struck down and killed.” (A dark misuse of the verb by David, illustrating the moral weight attached to any act of “giving.”)

2 Chronicles 25:9 – “Amaziah asked the man of God, ‘But what about the hundred talents I have given for the Israelite troops?’”

Habakkuk 2:6 – “Woe to him who increases what is not his—how long—and weighs himself down with many debts.” (The verb underlies the taunt concerning unjust gain.)

Historical and Cultural Context

Because ancient economies were built on barter and personal oath, יָהַב forms a linguistic bridge between material exchange and moral responsibility. Whether dowry, wages, tribute, harvest rain, or honor, the act of giving implied accountability to both covenant partner and God. Kings who abused the practice invited prophetic denunciation; humble petitioners who relied on the LORD found gracious provision.

Application for Faith and Ministry

• Prayer: The prevailing imperatives encourage believers to approach God boldly yet reverently, confident that He “gives generously without reproach” (compare James 1:5).
• Stewardship: יָהַב reminds congregations that all resources—money, talent, honor—are gifts to be redirected for God’s glory and others’ good.
• Pastoral Care: Psalm 55:22 authorizes the shepherd of souls to invite the weary to lay burdens before the Lord who sustains.
• Justice: Prophetic usages warn leaders against weaponizing “giving” for oppression; true giving aligns with righteousness, mercy, and faithfulness.

Thus יָהַב threads through Scripture as a call to receive from God, to render to others, and to rest every burden on the One who ultimately “gives life and breath and everything else” (Acts 17:25).

הַ֤ב ׀ הַ֥ב הָ֚בָה הָ֠בִי הָ֣בָה הָ֣בָה ׀ הָ֣בוּ הָ֥בָה הָֽבָה־ הָב֣וּ הָב֤וּ הָב֥וּ הָבָ֣ה הב הבה הבה־ הבו הבי hā·ḇāh hā·ḇāh- hā·ḇî hā·ḇū haḇ hāḇāh hāḇāh- hāḇî hāḇū hav Havah Havi haVuInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts