יַת

a sign of the object of a verb

Definition

The Aramaic word יַת (yath) is a particle that functions as a direct object marker. It is placed before a noun or pronoun to indicate that it is the specific object receiving the action of the verb. This grammatical function is similar to the Hebrew אֵת (H853). It appears only once in the biblical text, in Daniel 3:12, where it precedes the pronoun 'you' to clearly mark the accused individuals as the direct objects of the king's decree.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Daniel. Its single occurrence is in Daniel 3:12: '...whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon...' (KJV). Here, it marks 'you' (referring to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) as the direct object of the verb 'set.' Its usage is purely grammatical, serving to clarify sentence structure in Aramaic, just as its Hebrew counterpart does.

Etymology

יַת (yath) is an Aramaic word, directly corresponding to the Hebrew direct object marker אֵת (H853). It is a grammatical particle, not derived from a verbal root. Its function was a standard feature of Aramaic grammar during the biblical period, used to explicitly mark the accusative case for definite direct objects.

Semantic Range

As a standard grammatical particle in Imperial Aramaic, the language of diplomacy and administration in the Babylonian and Persian empires, its use in Daniel reflects the historical setting of the book. Its presence is a linguistic detail confirming the Aramaic sections were written in the vernacular of the time, but it carries no distinct cultural meaning beyond its syntactic role.

אֵת ('eth, H853) — The direct object marker in Biblical Hebrew, functionally identical to the Aramaic יַת.

Word Details

Scripture References