Lexical Summary uth: to consent, to agree, to be willing Original Word: אוּת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance consent A primitive root; properly, to come, i.e. (implied) to assent -- consent. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to consent, agree NASB Translation agreed (1), consent (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs [אוּת] verb only Niph`al Imperfect consent, agree (compare Rab. נֵיאוֺת Niph`al Participle especially enjoying NHWB48) followed by לְ Genesis 34:22 יֵאֹתוּ לָנוּ; Genesis 34:15 נֵאוֺת לָכֶם; Genesis 34:23 נֵאוֺתָה לָהֶם; followed by Infinitive 2 Kings 12:9 וַיֵּאֹתוּ הַכֹּהֲנִים לְבִלְתִּי קְחַתכֶּֿסֶף. אוֺת see אוה. Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Hebrew 225 אוּת appears in four Old Testament verses and conveys the notion of “giving assent,” “agreeing,” or “consenting” to a proposal. While the word is rare, the concept it expresses—voluntary alignment of will with a stated condition—plays a vital supporting role in the biblical themes of covenant, obedience, and communal integrity. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Genesis 34:15, 22, 23 record negotiations between Jacob’s sons and the men of Shechem. The Shechemites must “consent” to circumcision before intermarriage is permitted. Cultural and Historical Context In patriarchal and monarchic Israel, covenants and contracts hinged on explicit consent. Whether sealed by sacrifice, oath, or a physical sign such as circumcision, agreement validated obligations between parties. Genesis 34 shows covenant language being co-opted for ulterior motives; the outward sign of circumcision is demanded, yet the sons of Jacob never intend genuine fellowship. The tragic result underscores that mere verbal or ritual assent, detached from righteousness, breeds violence and disunity. During the reign of King Jehoash (2 Kings 12), priestly consent corrects fiscal mismanagement in Temple repairs. Their agreement exemplifies institutional accountability: leadership willingly submits to reform for the sake of God’s house. Unlike the deceit at Shechem, this consent fosters restoration and trust. Theological Significance 1. Covenant Integrity The Scripture repeatedly portrays God as the initiator of covenants; human response must therefore involve authentic consent. The Shechem narrative warns against hollow agreement that seeks personal gain while ignoring divine standards. Throughout redemptive history, God invites rather than coerces. The rare occurrences of אוּת highlight a moment when human agents openly align (or claim to align) their will with stated requirements. The lesson carries forward into calls for repentance and faith in the New Testament, where the believer’s heartfelt assent to the gospel defines true conversion (Romans 10:9-10). In 2 Kings 12, priestly consent models humble acceptance of correction. Biblical leadership remains accountable to God’s purposes; agreement to change demonstrates reverence for holiness over personal privilege. Implications for Ministry • Gospel Invitations: Evangelism rests on presenting clear terms of peace with God through Christ, trusting the Spirit to elicit sincere assent rather than coerced profession. Connection to the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:33 anticipates a covenant written on the heart, ensuring internal agreement with divine law. This promise culminates in Jesus Christ, whose invitation—“Come, follow Me” (Matthew 19:21)—still requires personal assent. Yet unlike the fragile arrangements in Genesis 34, the New Covenant is secured by Christ’s blood, empowering believers by the Holy Spirit to live out their consent faithfully (Hebrews 13:20-21). Related Concepts • Circumcision of the heart (Deuteronomy 30:6; Romans 2:29) Summary אוּת may appear only four times, but it amplifies a foundational principle: genuine consent is indispensable to covenant life. Whether exposing deception at Shechem or advancing reform under Jehoash, Scripture portrays agreement as a moral act demanding integrity. In Christ, God secures the believer’s eternal “Amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20), transforming formal assent into joyful obedience for His glory. Forms and Transliterations וַיֵּאֹ֖תוּ ויאתו יֵאֹ֨תוּ יאתו נֵא֣וֹת נֵא֣וֹתָה נאות נאותה nê’ōwṯ nê’ōwṯāh nê·’ō·w·ṯāh nê·’ō·wṯ neot neotah vaiyeOtu way·yê·’ō·ṯū wayyê’ōṯū yê’ōṯū yê·’ō·ṯū yeOtuLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 34:15 HEB: אַךְ־ בְּזֹ֖את נֵא֣וֹת לָכֶ֑ם אִ֚ם NAS: on this [condition] will we consent to you: if KJV: But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we [be], that every male INT: Only this consent if will become Genesis 34:22 Genesis 34:23 2 Kings 12:8 4 Occurrences |
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