Lexical Summary yasam: To put, place, set Original Word: יָשַׂם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be put set A prim root; to place; intransitively, to be placed -- be put (set). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originthe same as sum, q.v. Brown-Driver-Briggs [יָשַׂם] verb Imperfect וַיִּישֶׂם Genesis 50:26, and so Genesis 24:33 Kt, see שׂום, שׂים. Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope of Usage Yāsam appears twice in the Hebrew Bible and describes the deliberate placing of something or someone. Though limited in frequency, the verb portrays purposeful action under God’s overarching sovereignty, illustrating how human deeds of setting or positioning align with divine intent. Narrative Contexts 1. Genesis 24:33 – Abraham’s servant has “food … set before him”, yet he postpones eating until his commission concerning Rebekah is declared. The placement of the meal highlights near-Eastern hospitality while underscoring the servant’s prioritization of mission over personal need. Theological Themes • Purposeful Action under Providence Both settings are mundane acts—serving a meal and positioning a coffin—yet Scripture records them because they advance redemptive history. The servant’s refusal to eat illustrates faithful urgency; the coffin’s placement preserves a tangible hope for Israel’s deliverance. God works through commonplace gestures to fulfill covenant promises (compare Romans 8:28). • Mission before Appetite Genesis 24:33 reflects a principle later echoed by Jesus: “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me” (John 4:34). Yāsam depicts a table prepared, but the servant withholds participation until obedience is complete. Discipleship often involves subordinating legitimate appetites to the call of God. • Burial as Promise Joseph’s coffin, intentionally positioned in Egypt, embodies eschatological expectation. Hebrews 11:22 recognizes Joseph’s instructions about his bones as an act of faith, anticipating the Exodus centuries before it happened. The verb yāsam marks the coffin as both memorial and prophecy. Intertextual Connections • Hospitality and Revelation – The meal in Genesis 24 parallels Luke 24:30-32, where Jesus “took the bread and blessed it,” revealing Himself in the breaking of bread. In both accounts, a table setting becomes the scene of divine disclosure. Historical Significance Archaeological findings confirm that embalming and coffin use were widespread in Egypt’s Middle Kingdom, aligning with Genesis 50’s timeframe. The narrator’s precise use of yāsam points to accurate cultural detail while stressing Israel’s distinct destiny within that setting. Ministry Application • Prioritize God’s Commission – Ministry often confronts the tension between personal comfort and divine assignment. Like Abraham’s servant, leaders should be ready to “forsake meals” metaphorically—setting aside leisure—until the message is delivered. Summary Though yāsam occurs only twice, its contexts reveal meals postponed for mission and coffins positioned for covenant fulfillment. Each usage testifies that even the smallest human actions are woven into God’s redemptive tapestry, calling believers to intentional living that mirrors His purposeful placement of all things. Forms and Transliterations וַיִּ֥ישֶׂם וַיּוּשַׂ֤ם ויושם ויישם vaiYisem vaiyuSam way·yî·śem way·yū·śam wayyîśem wayyūśamLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 24:33 HEB: [וַיִּישֶׂם כ] (וַיּוּשַׂ֤ם ק) לְפָנָיו֙ INT: be put before to eat Genesis 50:26 2 Occurrences |
    |