Original Word: יָסַר
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: yacar
Pronunciation: yah-SAR
Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-sar')
KJV: bind, chasten, chastise, correct, instruct, punish, reform, reprove, sore, teach
NASB: chasten, chastise, correct, discipline, disciplined, admonished, chastised
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively (with words)
2. (hence) to instruct

bind, chasten, chastise, correct, instruct, punish, reform, reprove,

A primitive root; to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively (with words); hence, to instruct -- bind, chasten, chastise, correct, instruct, punish, reform, reprove, sore, teach.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to discipline, chasten, admonish
NASB Translation
admonished (2), chasten (5), chastens (1), chastise (4), chastised (2), correct (4), corrects (1), discipline (4), disciplined (4), disciplined me severely (1), disciplines (1), disciplining (1), gave instruction (1), instructed (2), instructs (2), punish (2), take warning (1), taught (1), trained (1), turned (1), warned (1).

[יָסַר] verb discipline, chasten, admonish (Talmud ᵑ7 יִ(י)סּוֺר chastisement; but Aramaic יְסַר is bind ) —

Qal Imperfect3masculine suffix וְיִסְּרֵנִי Isaiah 8:11 (Di De SS see Bo^{§ 1103} Ew^{§ 249 d}, but Thes MV Che and others

Pi`el Perfect); 1 singular suffix וְאֶסְֳּרֵם Hosea 10:10 (Ges^{§ 71}); Infinitive absolute יָסֹר 1 Chronicles 15:22 (noun Ke, point as participle Öttli); Participle יֹסֵר Proverbs 9:7; Psalm 94:10; יסורי Jeremiah 17:13 Kt see סוּר; —

1 admonish Isaiah 8:11 (followed by suffix + מִלֶּכֶת away from walking, i. e. not to walk), Proverbs 9:7 ("" מוֺכִיחַ).

2 instruct, 1 Chronicles 15:22.

3 discipline, of God Hosea 10:10; Psalm 94:10.

Niph`al Imperfect יִוָּ֫סֶר עֶ֫בֶד Proverbs 29:19; אִוָּסֵר Jeremiah 31:18; תִּוָּ˜סְרוּ Leviticus 26:23; Imperative feminine הִוָּ˜סְרִי Jeremiah 6:8; masculine plural הִיָסְרוּ Psalm 2:10; — (Niph`al tolerate., Ges^{§ 51}. 2), let oneself be corrected, admonished by words of man Psalm 2:10; Proverbs 29:19); let oneself be chastened by discipline of God Jeremiah 6:8; Jeremiah 31:18; Leviticus 26:23.

Pi`el Perfect יִסַּר 1 Kings 12:11 3t.; suffix יִסְּרַנִּי Psalm 118:18; יִסְּרוֺ Isaiah 28:26; 3feminine suffix יִסְּרַתּוּ Proverbs 31:1; 2masculine יִסַּרְתָּ Psalm 39:12; Job 4:3, etc. + 8 t. Perfect; Imperfect יְיַסֵּר Deuteronomy 8:5; 2masculine suffix תְּיַסְּרֶנּוּ Psalm 94:12, etc. + 5 t. Imperfect; Imperative יַסֵּר Proverbs 19:18; Proverbs 29:17; suffix יַסְּרֵנִי Jeremiah 10:24; Infinitive absolute יַסֹּר Psalm 118:18; construct יַסְּרָה Leviticus 26:18; suffix יַסְּרֶ֑ךָּDeuteronomy 4:36; Participle מְיַסְּרֶ֑ךָּ Deuteronomy 8:5; —

1 discipline, correct (the moral nature, with more or less severity according to circumstances):

a. of God, with accusative Hosea 7:15 (of training arms), Deuteronomy 4:36 (see Dr), Deuteronomy 8:5 (Israel as son), Isaiah 28:26, happy the man אשׁר תיסרנו יהּ Psalm 94:12 Psalm 118:18 (twice in verse)

b. of man, with accusative Deuteronomy 8:5; Proverbs 19:18; Proverbs 29:17 (all of a father his son), Job 4:3; Proverbs 31:1; Psalm 16:7 my reins (the emotions of my own heart) correct, admonish me.

2 more severely, chasten, chastise:

a. of God, followed by accusative of person, Jeremiah 31:18; אַלבַּֿחֲמָֽתְךָ תְיַסְּרֵנִי Psalm 6:2; Psalm 38:2; בְּמשׁפט אל באף Jeremiah 10:24; למשׁפט Jeremiah 30:11 = Jeremiah 46:28; על חטאת Leviticus 26:18,28; בתוכחות על עון Psalm 39:12.

b. of man, a father his son Deuteronomy 21:18; elders a man Deuteronomy 22:18 (including, as perhaps Deuteronomy 21:18, bodily chastisement); a king his subjects בַּשּׁוֺטִים and בָּעַקְרַבִּים 1 Kings 12:11,14 2Chronicles 10:11,14.

c. תְּיַסְּרֵךְ רָֽעָתֵךְ Jeremiah 2:19 thy badness will chastise thee.

Nithp. Perfect נִוַּסְּרוּ Ezekiel 23:48 (for נִתְוַסְּרוּ Ges^{§ 55} R. 7); passive be disciplined, corrected.

Hiph`il Imperfect1singular suffix אַיְסִירֵם (Ew^{§ 131 c}, but error for אֲיַסְּרֵם Bö^{§ 437 f} SS), with accusative chasten Hosea 7:12.

Definition within Scripture’s Storyline

יָסַר describes the active process by which God or His appointed agents correct, train, admonish, chasten, or educate so that the recipient is restored to covenant faithfulness and brought to maturity. The term is always relational; the one who disciplines does so because he already possesses rightful authority over the one disciplined.

Occurrences and Literary Distribution

Approximately forty-three times the verb is used, appearing in every major section of the Old Testament:
• Pentateuch (Deuteronomy)
• Historical Books (2 Samuel)
• Wisdom Literature (Job, Psalms, Proverbs)
• Major Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel)
• Minor Prophets (Hosea, Zephaniah)

Divine Fatherhood and Covenant Love

Deuteronomy links Israel’s formative wilderness experience to the loving correction of a father: “So know in your heart that just as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you” (Deuteronomy 8:5). The parallel with human parenting shows that God’s chastening is not capricious punishment but purposeful nurture for a covenant people.

Royal and Messianic Context

In the Lord’s oracle to David concerning Solomon—ultimately foreshadowing Messiah—discipline forms part of the royal covenant: “I will be his father, and he will be My son. When he does wrong, I will discipline him with the rod of men” (2 Samuel 7:14). The promise affirms that kingship under Yahweh includes accountability; the rod that corrects also protects the permanence of the Davidic line fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Formation of Character in Wisdom Literature

Proverbs develops יָסַר as the indispensable path to wisdom:
• Proverbs 3:11–12 unites fatherly discipline with divine delight.
• Proverbs 12:1 declares, “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge.”
• Proverbs 13:24 identifies loving parenthood with timely chastening.

The Psalms personalize the theme. David begs, “O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger, nor discipline me in Your wrath” (Psalm 6:1), revealing that discipline may be severe yet is sought on the grounds of covenant mercy. Psalm 118:18 celebrates deliverance after correction: “The LORD disciplined me severely, but He has not given me over to death.”

Prophetic Indictments and National Reproof

The prophets expose Israel’s refusal to accept יָסַר:
• “In vain I have struck your children; they accepted no discipline” (Jeremiah 2:30).
• “She heeded no voice; she accepted no discipline” (Zephaniah 3:2).

Yahweh’s chastening preserves His righteousness while inviting repentance. When rejected, judgment intensifies (Hosea 10:10). Yet even punitive measures hold out the hope of restoration (Isaiah 26:16).

Means of Discipline

Scripture portrays multiple instruments:

1. The spoken or written word of God (Deuteronomy 4:36; Jeremiah 32:33).
2. Providential hardship such as famine, exile, or sickness (Job 33:19; Ezekiel 5:15).
3. The parental “rod,” an emblem of measured corporal correction (Proverbs 22:15; 23:13).

Historical and Cultural Background

Ancient Near Eastern treaties assumed a suzerain’s right to correct vassals. Israel reinterprets the concept theologically: covenant law is a schoolmaster, and chastisement serves redemptive purposes rather than mere political control. Archaeological records of instructional texts (e.g., Egyptian “Instructions of Amenemope”) show similar vocabulary for discipline, yet Scripture uniquely grounds correction in the personal holiness and steadfast love of the LORD.

New Testament Resonance

The Greek writers draw upon the Septuagint’s paideuō—often translating יָסַר—to explain sanctification. Hebrews 12:5–11 cites Proverbs 3, teaching that believers’ trials are paternal discipline that yields “the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” Revelation 3:19 echoes the principle: “Those I love, I rebuke and discipline.” Thus the Old Testament foundation of יָסַר continues unbroken into apostolic teaching.

Practical Ministry Application

• Pastoral Care: Shepherds model God’s character when corrective measures are compassionate and restorative (Galatians 6:1).
• Family Discipleship: Parents are instructed to discipline consistently and lovingly, mirroring the divine pattern, guarding against both permissiveness and provocation (Ephesians 6:4).
• Church Discipline: Congregational accountability echoes Old Testament precedent, aiming for repentance and reconciliation (Matthew 18:15–17; 2 Corinthians 2:5–11).

Theological Summary

יָסַר reveals God as a Father who refuses to abandon His people to their folly. Rather than contradicting divine love, chastening demonstrates it. The same word that ordered creation orders the hearts of His children. Properly received, discipline opens the door to wisdom, holiness, and renewed fellowship, preparing the covenant community—ultimately the Church—for the glorious inheritance promised in Christ.

אֲיַסֵּ֥ר אַיְסִרֵ֕ם איסר איסרם הֲיֹסֵ֣ר הִ֝וָּסְר֗וּ הִוָּסְרִי֙ הוסרו הוסרי היסר וְאֶסֳּרֵ֑ם וְיִסְּר֖וּ וְיִסְּר֣וּ וְיִסְּר֥וֹ וְיִסְּרֵ֕נִי וְיִסַּרְתִּ֙יךָ֙ וְיִסַּרְתִּ֤י וְנִֽוַּסְּרוּ֙ וָֽאִוָּסֵ֔ר ואוסר ואסרם ויסרו ויסרני ויסרתי ויסרתיך ונוסרו יְיַסֵּ֥ר יִוָּ֣סֶר יִסְּר֥וּנִי יִסְּרַ֣נִּי יִסְּרַ֥תּוּ יִסַּ֔רְתִּי יִסַּ֣רְתָּ יִסַּ֤ר יִסַּ֬רְתָּ יִסַּרְתַּ֙נִי֙ יַסְּרֵ֥נִי יַסֵּ֣ר יַסֹּ֣ר יָסֹר֙ יֹ֤סֵ֨ר ׀ יוסר ייסר יסר יסרוני יסרני יסרת יסרתו יסרתי יסרתני לְיַסְּרֶ֑ךָּ לְיַסְּרָ֣ה ליסרה ליסרך מְיַסְּרֶֽךָּ׃ מיסרך׃ תְּיַסְּרֵ֣ךְ תְּיַסְּרֶ֣נּוּ תְיַסְּרֵֽנִי׃ תִוָּסְר֖וּ תוסרו תיסרך תיסרנו תיסרני׃ ’ă·yas·sêr ’ay·si·rêm ’ăyassêr ’aysirêm ayasSer aysiRem hă·yō·sêr hayoSer hăyōsêr hivvaseRi hivvaseRu hiw·wā·sə·rî hiw·wā·sə·rū hiwwāsərî hiwwāsərū lə·yas·sə·rāh lə·yas·sə·re·kā leyasseRah ləyassərāh leyasseReka ləyassərekā mə·yas·sə·re·kā meyasseReka məyassərekā ṯə·yas·sə·rê·nî tə·yas·sə·rêḵ tə·yas·sə·ren·nū teyasseRech təyassərêḵ teyasseReni ṯəyassərênî teyasseRennu təyassərennū tivvasRu ṯiw·wā·sə·rū ṯiwwāsərū vaivvaSer veessoRem venivvasseRu veyissarTi veyissarTicha veyisseReni veyisseRo veyisseRu wā’iwwāsêr wā·’iw·wā·sêr wə’essorêm wə·’es·so·rêm wə·niw·was·sə·rū wə·yis·sar·tî wə·yis·sar·tî·ḵā wə·yis·sə·rê·nî wə·yis·sə·rōw wə·yis·sə·rū wəniwwassərū wəyissartî wəyissartîḵā wəyissərênî wəyissərōw wəyissərū yā·sōr yas·sə·rê·nî yas·sêr yas·sōr yaSor yāsōr yasSer yassêr yasseReni yassərênî yasSor yassōr yə·yas·sêr yeyasSer yəyassêr yis·sar yis·sar·tā yis·sar·ta·nî yis·sar·tî yis·sə·ran·nî yis·sə·rat·tū yis·sə·rū·nî yissar yisSarta yissartā yissarTani yissartanî yisSarti yissartî yisseRanni yissərannî yisseRattu yissərattū yisseRuni yissərūnî yivVaser yiw·wā·ser yiwwāser yō·sêr yoSer yōsêrInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts