Lexical Summary yaal: To profit, to benefit, to be of use Original Word: יַעַל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance set forward, can do good, be, have profit, able A primitive root; properly, to ascend; figuratively, to be valuable (objectively: useful, subjectively: benefited) -- X at all, set forward, can do good, (be, have) profit, (able). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to confer or gain profit or benefit NASB Translation avail (1), furnish the slightest (1), gain (1), profit (17), profitable (1), slightest benefit (1), things of profit (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. [יָעַל] verb only Hiph`il profit, avail, benefit; — Hiph`il Perfect הוֺעִיל Habakkuk 2:18; Imperfect יוֺעִיל Jeremiah 2:11 2t.; אֹעִיל Job 35:3; יוֺעִילוּ 1 Samuel 12:21 6t.; יוֺעִ֫לוּ Jeremiah 2:8; Jeremiah 12:13; יוֺעִילוּךְ Isaiah 57:12; נוֺעִיל Job 21:15; Infinitive absolute הוֺעֵיל Jeremiah 23:22; construct הוֺעִיל Jeremiah 7:8 4t.; Participle מוֺעִיל Jeremiah 16:19; — profit, avail, benefit, always (except Job 30:13 where in bad sense, Isaiah 47:12) with negative, or in question implying negative; especially of idols or false gods (as unprofitable), so Habakkuk 2:18; Isaiah 44:9,10; Isaiah 57:12; Jeremiah 2:8 אחרי לא יועילו הלבו, Jeremiah 2:11 המיר כבידו בלוא יועיל, Jeremiah 16:19 ואין בם מועיל, 1 Samuel 12:21, of vain confidences Jeremiah 7:8, or promises Jeremiah 23:32 (twice in verse) (followed by לְ); of Egypt as ally Isaiah 30:5 (followed by לְ), Isaiah 30:5; Isaiah 30:6; of wickedness Proverbs 10:2; wealth Proverbs 11:4; worthless men Job 30:13 (לְהַוָּתִי יועִילוּ i.e. promote it); of words Job 15:3 ("" דָּבָר לֹא יִסְכּוֺן); in General gain profit Isaiah 47:12; Isaiah 48:17; Jeremiah 12:13; Job 21:15; Job 35:3. Topical Lexicon יַעַל (yā‛al) Overview יַעַל frames the biblical question of what truly “profits” a person, a nation, or a work. Across its twenty-three appearances the verb measures everything—treasures, words, idols, religious activity—against the living God, exposing what is worthless and affirming what genuinely benefits His people. Primary Old Testament Settings • Historical narrative: 1 Samuel 12:21 warns Israel after the monarchy’s inauguration not to “turn aside after worthless things which cannot profit or deliver.” Futility of Idolatry and False Religion Idols and the systems built around them are repeatedly branded “no profit.” The prophets thereby confront every generation with the emptiness of trusting any substitute for the covenant God. Riches versus Righteousness Proverbs contrasts material gain with moral standing: What appears advantageous now offers no leverage when divine judgment arrives; only right standing with God avails. False Speech and Empty Counsel Job laments advisers whose words are “not profitable” (Job 15:3). Jeremiah echoes the theme: “You keep trusting in deceptive words that are worthless” (Jeremiah 7:8). Scripture thus links profitless speech with spiritual peril, urging discernment in both giving and receiving counsel. Political Alliances that Cannot Save Isaiah condemns Judah’s appeal to Egypt: “Egypt’s help is utterly worthless; therefore I call her Rahab Who Sits Still” (Isaiah 30:7, implicit after verses 5-6). The same verb underscores that geopolitical strategies divorced from faith are futile. Divine Instruction that Truly Profits Against the backdrop of failure, Isaiah 48:17 stands out: “Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the LORD your God who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go.’” The Lord Himself grants benefit—covenant wisdom, moral formation, and eventual restoration—showing that profit is relational before it is material. Ministry Implications 1. Preaching and Teaching: Proclaim the insufficiency of idols—ancient or modern—and the sufficiency of God’s redemptive instruction. Christological Perspective The New Testament amplifies the theme: “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36). Jesus embodies Isaiah 48:17, leading His followers into the only lasting benefit—reconciliation with God (1 Peter 3:18). Contemporary Relevance Modern culture prizes productivity and return on investment. יַעַל calls the church to re-evaluate success by eternal standards, measuring every pursuit—technology, wealth, entertainment, even religious activity—by whether it brings genuine advantage in God’s sight. Summary יַעַל exposes the bankruptcy of idols, ill-gotten gain, and deceitful words, while exalting the Lord who alone “teaches us to profit.” Its message unites law, wisdom, and prophecy in one continuous summons: seek the benefit that comes from knowing and obeying the living God. Forms and Transliterations אֹ֝עִ֗יל אעיל הוֹעִ֖יל הוֹעִ֣יל הוֹעִֽיל׃ הועיל הועיל׃ וְהוֹעֵ֛יל והועיל י֭וֹעִילוּ יֹעִ֑ילוּ יוֹעִ֑ילוּ יוֹעִ֑לוּ יוֹעִ֖לוּ יוֹעִ֛ילוּ יוֹעִ֣יל יוֹעִ֣ילוּ יוֹעִ֥יל יוֹעִ֥ילוּ יוֹעִֽיל׃ יוֹעִֽילוּ׃ יוֹעִילֽוּךְ׃ יועיל יועיל׃ יועילו יועילו׃ יועילוך׃ יועלו יעילו לְהוֹעִ֔יל להועיל מוֹעִֽיל׃ מועיל׃ נּ֝וֹעִ֗יל נועיל ’ō‘îl ’ō·‘îl hō·w·‘îl hoIl hōw‘îl lə·hō·w·‘îl lehoIl ləhōw‘îl mō·w·‘îl moIl mōw‘îl nō·w·‘îl noIl nōw‘îl oIl vehoEil wə·hō·w·‘êl wəhōw‘êl yō‘îlū yō·‘î·lū yō·w·‘i·lū yō·w·‘î·lū yō·w·‘î·lūḵ yō·w·‘îl yoIl yoIlu yoiLuch yōw‘îl yōw‘ilū yōw‘îlū yōw‘îlūḵLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 12:21 HEB: אֲשֶׁ֧ר לֹֽא־ יוֹעִ֛ילוּ וְלֹ֥א יַצִּ֖ילוּ NAS: which can not profit or deliver, KJV: vain [things], which cannot profit nor deliver; INT: which not profit or deliver Job 15:3 Job 21:15 Job 30:13 Job 35:3 Proverbs 10:2 Proverbs 11:4 Isaiah 30:5 Isaiah 30:5 Isaiah 30:6 Isaiah 44:9 Isaiah 44:10 Isaiah 47:12 Isaiah 48:17 Isaiah 57:12 Jeremiah 2:8 Jeremiah 2:11 Jeremiah 7:8 Jeremiah 12:13 Jeremiah 16:19 Jeremiah 23:32 Jeremiah 23:32 Habakkuk 2:18 23 Occurrences |
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