The meaning of “יָשַׁב”
Understanding yâshab reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
(make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation...
יָשַׁב
(make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. - properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet) - by implication, to dwell, to remain - causatively, to settle, to marry 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 26:17 | “And Isaac departed thence, and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar, and dwelt there.” Word: יָשַׁב (yâshab) | |
| Ruth 3:18 | “Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day. ” Word: יָשַׁב (yâshab) | |
| Ezra 10:9 | “Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem within three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month; and all the people sat in the street of the house of God, trembling because of this matter, and for the great rain.” Word: יָשַׁב (yâshab) | |
| Song of Solomon 5:12 | “His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set.” Word: יָשַׁב (yâshab) | |
| Joel 2:1 | “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand;” Word: יָשַׁב (yâshab) |
Usage Statistics
Related Words
Cross-referenced Strong's numbers with semantic or etymological connections.
Theological Word Study: Dwell
Old Testament Usage
Meaning: To dwell, tabernacle, sit
The Hebrew shakan (שָׁכַן) means to dwell or tabernacle—the root of Shekinah (divine presence). God promised 'I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God' (Exodus 29:45).
New Testament Usage
Meaning: To dwell, remain, abide
The Greek katoikeo (κατοικέω) means to dwell or settle. 'In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily' (Colossians 2:9). Christ dwells in believers' hearts by faith (Ephesians 3:17).