Original Word: יְתִב
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: ythiyb
Pronunciation: yeh-TEEB
Phonetic Spelling: (yeth-eeb')
KJV: dwell, (be) set, sit
NASB: live, sat, settled, sit, took his seat
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) corresponding to H3427 (יָשַׁב - inhabitants)]

1. to sit or dwell

dwell

(Aramaic) corresponding to yashab; to sit or dwell:

see HEBREW yashab

Word Origin
(Aramaic) corresponding to yashab
Definition
to sit, dwell
NASB Translation
live (1), sat (1), settled (1), sit (1), took his seat (1).

יְתִב (K^{§ 25 a}) β))

verb sit, dwell (ᵑ7 Syriac; see Biblical Hebrew ישׁב); —

Pe`al 1. sit, be seated: Perfect3masculine singular יְתִב Daniel 7:9 and (of judgment = the judge) Daniel 7:10, so Imperfect3masculine singular יִתִּ֑ב (K^{§ 43.1.Beisp. b}), compare Biblical Hebrew יֵשֵׁב) Daniel 7:26.

2 dwell, Participle plural absolute יָתְבִין Ezra 4:17 (ב location).

Haph`el cause to dwell: Perfect3masculine singular הוֺתֵב Ezra 4:10 (accusative + ב location).

Background and Literary Setting

יְתִב appears exclusively in the Aramaic portions of Ezra and Daniel, two books that record events during and after the Babylonian exile. In each case the term conveys the idea of being seated, dwelling, or being set in place, whether of people in a land or of God in supreme judgment.

Occurrences

• Ezra 4:10
• Ezra 4:17
• Daniel 7:9
• Daniel 7:10
• Daniel 7:26

Sociopolitical Usage in Ezra 4

In Ezra 4:10 Artaxerxes is reminded of “the rest of the peoples that the great and noble Osnappar deported and settled in the city of Samaria and elsewhere west of the Euphrates River”. Here יְתִב underlines how imperial power forcibly “seated” foreign populations in Samaria. The same letter (Ezra 4:17) is addressed to officials “living in Samaria,” again using the term for those now fixed in the land. These two uses frame the resistance faced by the returning Judeans: those who had been seated by human authority opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem, foreshadowing the later Samaritan–Jewish tensions recorded in the Gospels (John 4:9).

Heavenly Courtroom Usage in Daniel 7

Daniel’s vision elevates יְתִב from earthly settlement to transcendent majesty.

• Daniel 7:9 – “Thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat.” The seating of God conveys both regal repose and unchallengeable sovereignty.

• Daniel 7:10 – “The court was convened, and the books were opened.” The divine tribunal is pictured as seated and ready for judgment, emphasizing order and deliberation in God’s justice.

• Daniel 7:26 – “But the court will convene, and his dominion will be taken away and annihilated and destroyed forever.” The same seated court decisively ends the blasphemous rule of the little horn, assuring believers of the ultimate victory of righteousness.

Thematic Connections

1. Authority Established: Whether emperors relocating populations or the Ancient of Days establishing His court, יְתִב marks the point at which authority is fixed and action proceeds.
2. Rest and Permanence: The seated position contrasts with restless earthly powers (Daniel 7:17, 23) and reminds readers that only God’s throne is truly unshakable (Psalm 29:10; Hebrews 1:3).
3. Judgment Rendered: The convened court in Daniel parallels later eschatological scenes where books are opened and eternal destinies set (Revelation 20:11–12).
4. Covenant Hope: Exiles who read Daniel could trust that the same God who allowed foreign kings to “seat” captives would ultimately seat Himself to reverse unjust rule.

Doctrinal and Ministry Implications

• Divine Sovereignty: יְתִב in Daniel anchors faith in a God who is already enthroned and needs no struggle to assert dominion.
• Encouragement in Opposition: Ezra’s readers faced entrenched adversaries “settled” by mighty emperors; Daniel reminds them that human settlements are temporary before the seated Judge.
• Assurance of Final Justice: The convening of the heavenly court guarantees redress for persecuted saints (Daniel 7:21–22).
• Identity and Mission: Believers today are said to be “seated with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6), moving the truth of יְתִב from vision to present reality and calling the church to live out an already-secure position.

Typological and Christological Reflections

The Ancient of Days taking His seat anticipates the Son of Man who “sat down at the right hand of God” after providing purification for sins (Hebrews 1:3). The convergence of Father and Son enthroned assures the church of a completed redemption and a coming consummation when every rebellious throne will fall (1 Corinthians 15:24–25).

Practical Application

• Rest in God’s settled rule when confronted by the seeming permanence of worldly systems.
• Approach life and ministry with the confidence that judgment is not arbitrary; the books are opened in the presence of a seated, holy Judge.
• Engage cultures and lands of exile (Jeremiah 29:7) knowing that ultimate settlement belongs to God, who will finally plant His people in an unshakable kingdom (Hebrews 12:28).

וְהוֹתֵ֣ב והותב יְתִ֑ב יְתִ֖ב יִתִּ֑ב יָתְבִ֖ין יתב יתבין vehoTev wə·hō·w·ṯêḇ wəhōwṯêḇ yā·ṯə·ḇîn yāṯəḇîn yateVin yə·ṯiḇ yəṯiḇ yeTiv yit·tiḇ yittiḇ yitTivInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts