Lexical Summary yarat: To tremble, to be afraid, to be in awe Original Word: יָרַט Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be perverse, turn over A primitive root; to precipitate or hurl (rush) headlong; (intransitively) to be rash -- be perverse, turn over. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to be precipitate, to precipitate NASB Translation contrary (1), tosses (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs יָרַט verb be precipitate, precipitate (transitive) (compare Arabic  conjecit, praecipitem dedit in puteum, exitium, Frey.) — Qal Perfect יָרַט Numbers 22:32, app. with subject הַדֶּרֶךְ; the way is precipitate, (RVm headlong) before me, but transitive עליֿדי רשׁעים ירטני Job 16:11 into the hands of wicked men he precipitates me (see Di; יִרְטֵנִי = יִָֽרְטֵנִי; Baer's text יִרְטֵנִי points to √ רטה q. v.); hence perhaps read יָרַטְתָּ Numbers 22:32; thou hast precipitated the journey in front of me, i.e. rushed recklessly in front of me; see Di; KauAT leaves untransl. [רָטָה] verb (dubious) wring out (Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew (si vera lectio, see LevyNHWB iv. 444 and references)); — Qal Imperfect3masculine singular suffix יִרְטֵנִי Job 16:11 upon the hands of wicked men he wrings me out, but read probably ׳יִָֽרְ √ יָרַט (Di Bu Du and others), q. v. רטט (Aramaic רְטֵט tremble, rare, derived species). Topical Lexicon Lexical Nuance יָרַט (yarat) conveys the idea of hostile opposition, reckless defiance, or violent casting down. Though rare, it portrays decisive, confrontational action that interrupts or overturns another’s course. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Numbers 22:32 – The Angel of the LORD confronts Balaam: “Behold, I have come out to oppose you because your path is reckless before Me.” Contextual Insights • Balaam’s Perverse Journey (Numbers 22) Balaam sets out to curse Israel for Balak’s reward, yet claims to speak only what God permits. The angel’s declaration that Balaam’s way “is reckless” exposes the prophet’s duplicity. יָרַט underscores divine hostility toward any path that pretends obedience while craving personal gain. The donkey’s restraint and the angel’s sword reveal that the LORD will forcibly block a course that endangers His covenant purposes. • Job’s Cry of Abandonment (Job 16) Job, stripped of health, children, and reputation, feels violently hurled into enemy hands. By choosing יָרַט, Job depicts God as an active combatant who has “cast” him to the wicked. The verb intensifies the depth of suffering without denying God’s sovereignty; Job’s faith wrestles with the mystery of divine opposition that is neither arbitrary nor malicious, but beyond human calculation. Theological Themes • Divine Opposition to Perverse Ways Yarat teaches that God does not merely disapprove of sin; He confronts it. Balaam’s experience illustrates Numbers 32:23, “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Modern ministry must warn that secret compromise invites dramatic divine resistance. • The Righteous Under Hostile Forces Job’s usage affirms that even the faithful may endure seasons where God seems to “hand them over.” Yet the larger narrative (Job 42:12) confirms ultimate vindication. Yarat, therefore, serves both as a caution to the unrighteous and a comfort to sufferers that present hostility is not final. • Sovereign Intervention and Human Freedom In both texts human plans collide with divine prerogative. Whether thwarting greed or refining faith, the LORD intervenes. Such sovereignty upholds passages like Proverbs 16:9 and James 4:13-16: God alone directs the outcome of human intentions. Ministry Applications 1. Warning Against Compromise Pastors and teachers can employ Balaam’s account to address materialism, syncretism, and the subtle allure of honorariums that tempt servants of God to dilute truth. 2. Comfort for the Afflicted Job shows believers that feeling “cast” away does not equal divine rejection. Lament can coexist with trust. Ministries to the suffering should echo Job 23:10, pointing saints to the refinement awaiting them. 3. Discernment in Spiritual Warfare Yarat reminds the church that divine opposition may sometimes manifest through providential hindrances, illness, or closed doors. Prayerful evaluation asks whether resistance is satanic or a merciful blockade from God. Historical Reflections Rabbinic commentators linked Balaam’s יָרַט to arrogance that blinds. Early Christian writers used Balaam as a prototype of false teachers (2 Peter 2:15; Jude 11; Revelation 2:14), emphasizing that God will confront those who exploit the flock. In Job, the Fathers saw a foreshadowing of Christ, who was “delivered into the hands of sinful men” (Luke 24:7), yet overcame. Christological Considerations Jesus alone walked a path entirely pleasing to the Father, yet still experienced being “handed over” (paradidōmi) to the wicked—echoing Job’s lament. At the cross, divine opposition fell upon the sin-bearer so that believers would never finally be cast off. Thus יָרַט indirectly magnifies the gospel’s substitutionary core. Cross-References • God opposing: Proverbs 14:12; Isaiah 63:10; Acts 5:39 In its two appearances, יָרַט stands as a sober reminder that the Holy One actively confronts human perversity while mysteriously permitting the trials that refine the righteous. Forms and Transliterations יִרְטֵֽנִי׃ יָרַ֥ט ירט ירטני׃ yā·raṭ yaRat yāraṭ yir·ṭê·nî yirTeni yirṭênîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 22:32 HEB: לְשָׂטָ֔ן כִּֽי־ יָרַ֥ט הַדֶּ֖רֶךְ לְנֶגְדִּֽי׃ NAS: because your way was contrary to me. KJV: thee, because [thy] way is perverse before me: INT: an adversary because was contrary your way about Job 16:11 2 Occurrences |
    |