ESTUDIO DE LA PALABRA HEBREA
Yatsa — Meaning & Usage in the Bible
Yatsa (יָצָא) is a foundational Hebrew verb meaning 'to go out' or 'to bring out,' used literally and figuratively across the Old Testament.
Significado de la palabra
Yatsa (יָצָא, H3318) is one of the most common verbs in the Hebrew Bible, rendered in English translations as 'to go out,' 'to come out,' 'to go forth,' or 'to bring forth.' Its basic sense is movement out of a place—from a city, a tent, a region, or a condition. The verb covers both voluntary departure (someone leaving) and directed emergence (something producing or issuing forth).
The lexicon entry identifies three principal stems. In Qal (simple active), yatsa describes going or coming out, proceeding forward, or issuing from something. In Hiphil (causative), it means 'to cause to go out'—to bring out, lead out, or deliver. In Hophal (passive), the subject is brought or led out by someone else. The KJV usage list shows how widely the term stretches: appear, bear out, break out, carry out, deliver, escape, fetch, lead out, proceed, spring out, and many more.
Uso en las Escrituras
In the early chapters of Genesis, yatsa structures the creation and re-creation narratives. The earth 'brings forth' vegetation (Gen 1:12) and living creatures (Gen 1:24); a river 'goes out of' Eden to water the garden (Gen 2:10). After the flood, Noah and every living thing are commanded to 'go forth from the ark' (Gen 8:16–17) and 'went forth out of the ark' (Gen 8:18–19). The verb also marks separation from God's presence, as when Cain 'went out from the presence of Jehovah' (Gen 4:16).
Because of its range, yatsa is used for human departure (sending, fleeing, marching out to war), for natural phenomena (sprouting, flowing, dawning), and for God's acts of bringing Israel out of Egypt (the Exodus motif). The Hiphil 'bring out' is especially important in covenant history: God brings his people out, leads them out, and delivers them.
La palabra en detalle
- H3318 yâtsâʼ (יָצָא): a common verb 'to go out / bring out.' Occurs ~491 times in ~470 verses. Used in Qal (going/coming out), Hiphil (causing to go out, leading out, delivering), and Hophal (being brought out).
Versículos de ejemplo
- Genesis 1:12 Hiphil participle 'brought forth': the earth is personified as producing vegetation at God's command.
- Genesis 2:10 Qal 'flowed': a river issuing from Eden—yatsa used for natural movement outward from a source.
- Genesis 4:16 'Went out from the presence of Jehovah': yatsa marks theological separation from God's face.
- Genesis 8:16 Imperative 'Go forth from the ark': God's command to Noah uses yatsa to signal transition into a new world.
Preguntas frecuentes
What does yatsa mean in Hebrew?
Yatsa (יָצָא) means 'to go out' or 'to bring out.' It is used both for someone or something moving out of a place and for causing something to come out (as in 'bring forth' vegetation).
How many times does yatsa appear in the Bible?
According to the lexicon data, yatsa occurs about 491 times in roughly 470 distinct verses across the Hebrew Bible.
What is the difference between Qal and Hiphil forms of yatsa?
Qal yatsa describes the action itself—someone or something going or coming out. Hiphil adds causation: 'to cause to go out,' i.e., to bring out, lead out, or deliver. So 'Noah went out of the ark' (Qal) versus 'Bring out the living creatures' (Hiphil).