3336. yetser

Lexicon

yetser: Inclination, imagination, mind, purpose, framework

Original Word: יֵצֶר
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: yetser
Pronunciation: yay'-tser
Phonetic Spelling: (yay'-tser)
Definition: Inclination, imagination, mind, purpose, framework
Meaning: a form, conception

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

frame, thing framed, imagination, mind, work

From yatsar; a form; figuratively, conception (i.e. Purpose) -- frame, thing framed, imagination, mind, work.

see HEBREW yatsar

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from yatsar
Definition
a form, framing, purpose
NASB Translation
formed (1), frame (1), handiwork (1), intent (4), intentions* (1), mind (1), what (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

I. יֵ֫צָר noun masculine^{Isaiah 26:3} form, framing, purpose; — ׳י Genesis 6:5 5t.; יִצְדוֺ Deuteronomy 31:21; Habakkuk 2:18; יִצְרֵנוּ Psalm 103:14; —

1 pottery, formed by the potter Isaiah 29:16.

2 form of a graven image Habakkuk 2:18.

3 form of man as made of the dust Psalm Hab 103:14.

4 of what is framed in the mind (compare יָצַר

1c, 2 b), imagination, device, purpose: יצר מחשׁב(ו)ת לב(בׅ Genesis 6:5 (J), 1 Chronicles 29:18; מחשׁבות ׳י 1 Chronicles 28:9; לב ׳י Genesis 8:21 (J); יֵצֶר alone Deuteronomy 31:21 (J); יֵצֶר סָמוּךְ Isaiah 26:3 a stedfast purpose (or frame of mind). (In Late Hebrew יֵצֶר is common in sense of impulse: יצר הטוב and יצר הרע of good and bad tendency in man.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the root יָצַר (yatsar), meaning "to form" or "to fashion."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G4110 (πλάσμα, plasma): Refers to something formed or molded, akin to the concept of a physical form or creation.
• G4189 (πονηρία, poneria): While not a direct translation, this term relates to wickedness or evil, reflecting the negative inclinations or thoughts that "yetser" can describe in a moral context.

The concept of "yetser" in the Hebrew Bible provides a profound insight into the human condition, emphasizing the creative power of God and the moral complexities of human thought and intention.

Usage: The word "yetser" is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe both the physical act of forming or shaping and the abstract concept of thoughts or inclinations, particularly those of the human heart or mind.

Context: • The term יֵצֶר (yetser) appears in various contexts within the Hebrew Scriptures, often highlighting the dual nature of human inclinations and the creative acts of God. In Genesis 6:5, it is used to describe the wicked inclinations of humanity: "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time" (BSB). This usage underscores the moral and ethical dimensions of human thought and intention.
• In Genesis 8:21, after the flood, God acknowledges the persistent inclination of the human heart: "The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in His heart, 'Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from his youth'" (BSB). Here, "yetser" reflects the inherent tendencies within human nature.
• The term also appears in Isaiah 26:3, where it conveys a sense of mental steadfastness: "You will keep in perfect peace the steadfast of mind, because he trusts in You" (BSB). In this context, "yetser" is associated with a firm and unwavering mindset.
• Theologically, "yetser" is significant in discussions about the nature of humanity, free will, and moral responsibility. It highlights the internal struggles between good and evil inclinations, a theme explored in Jewish and Christian thought.

Forms and Transliterations

וְיֵ֛צֶר ויצר יִצְר֗וֹ יִצְרֵ֑נוּ יֵ֙צֶר֙ יֵ֣צֶר יֵ֥צֶר יֹֽצְר֔וֹ יצר יצרו יצרנו לְיֵ֥צֶר ליצר lə·yê·ṣer ləyêṣer leYetzer veYetzer wə·yê·ṣer wəyêṣer yê·ṣer yêṣer yetzer yiṣ·rê·nū yiṣ·rōw yiṣrênū yiṣrōw yitzRenu yitzRo yō·ṣə·rōw yōṣərōw yotzeRo

Englishman's Concordance

Genesis 6:5
HEB: בָּאָ֑רֶץ וְכָל־ יֵ֙צֶר֙ מַחְשְׁבֹ֣ת לִבּ֔וֹ
NAS: and that every intent of the thoughts
KJV: in the earth, and [that] every imagination of the thoughts
INT: the earth every intent of the thoughts of his heart

Genesis 8:21
HEB: הָֽאָדָ֔ם כִּ֠י יֵ֣צֶר לֵ֧ב הָאָדָ֛ם
NAS: of man, for the intent of man's
KJV: sake; for the imagination of man's
INT: of man for the intent heart of man's

Deuteronomy 31:21
HEB: יָדַ֣עְתִּי אֶת־ יִצְר֗וֹ אֲשֶׁ֨ר ה֤וּא
NAS: for I know their intent which
KJV: for I know their imagination which they go about,
INT: when know their intent which they

1 Chronicles 28:9
HEB: יְהוָ֔ה וְכָל־ יֵ֥צֶר מַחֲשָׁב֖וֹת מֵבִ֑ין
NAS: every intent of the thoughts.
KJV: and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts:
INT: the LORD every intent of the thoughts and understands

1 Chronicles 29:18
HEB: זֹּ֣את לְעוֹלָ֔ם לְיֵ֥צֶר מַחְשְׁב֖וֹת לְבַ֣ב
NAS: forever in the intentions of the heart
KJV: this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts
INT: likewise forever the imagination of the thoughts of the heart

Psalm 103:14
HEB: ה֖וּא יָדַ֣ע יִצְרֵ֑נוּ זָ֝כ֗וּר כִּי־
NAS: knows our frame; He is mindful
KJV: For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth
INT: Himself knows our frame is mindful for

Isaiah 26:3
HEB: יֵ֣צֶר סָמ֔וּךְ תִּצֹּ֖ר
NAS: The steadfast of mind You will keep
KJV: peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed
INT: of mind the steadfast will keep

Isaiah 29:16
HEB: לֹ֣א עָשָׂ֔נִי וְיֵ֛צֶר אָמַ֥ר לְיוֹצְר֖וֹ
NAS: He did not make me; Or what is formed
KJV: it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say
INT: has no make what say is formed

Habakkuk 2:18
HEB: כִּ֤י פְסָלוֹ֙ יֹֽצְר֔וֹ מַסֵּכָ֖ה וּמ֣וֹרֶה
NAS: trusts in his [own] handiwork When he fashions
KJV: that the maker of his work trusteth
INT: when has carved his handiwork it an image A teacher

9 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 3336
9 Occurrences

lə·yê·ṣer — 1 Occ.
wə·yê·ṣer — 1 Occ.
yê·ṣer — 4 Occ.
yiṣ·rê·nū — 1 Occ.
yiṣ·rōw — 1 Occ.
yō·ṣə·rōw — 1 Occ.