יָצָא
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.
Definition
The verb יָצָא (yâtsâʼ) is a foundational Hebrew word meaning 'to go out' or 'to bring out,' with a vast range of literal and figurative applications. Literally, it describes physical departure or emergence, such as Abram leaving Ur (Genesis 11:31) or plants sprouting from the earth (Genesis 1:12). Causatively (Hiphil stem), it means 'to bring out' or 'to lead out,' most famously in God's declaration, 'I am the LORD who brought you out (הוֹצֵאתִי) of Egypt' (Exodus 20:2). Figuratively, it extends to concepts like issuing a command (the word 'goes out,' e.g., Genesis 45:21), a legal verdict being rendered (Deuteronomy 25:7), or the rising of the sun (Judges 5:31).
Biblical Usage
יָצָא is used nearly 1,000 times across all Old Testament genres, making it one of the most common verbs. It frequently appears in historical narratives of journey and exodus (e.g., the Exodus story), in legal texts regarding the execution of commands, and in poetic/prophetic literature for metaphorical departures. A key pattern is its use in the Hiphil stem to describe God's redemptive act of bringing His people out of bondage, establishing a core theme of deliverance. Other common uses include describing the issuing of water from a source (Genesis 2:10), an army going to war, and a person departing from God's presence (Genesis 4:16).
Etymology
It is a primitive root, meaning its origin is not derived from another Hebrew verb. Cognates exist in related Semitic languages like Ugaritic and Akkadian with similar meanings of 'going/coming out.' The root conveys a basic sense of motion from an interior or constrained space to an exterior or open one, a concept that naturally expanded into its wide figurative usage.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically central, especially in its causative form. It defines God's identity as the deliverer in the Exodus, the foundational salvation event of the Old Testament (Exodus 20:2). This act of 'bringing out' establishes the paradigm for God's redemptive work, moving people from slavery to freedom, from darkness to light. Understanding this verb enriches reading by highlighting that salvation is not just a static state but a dynamic, purposeful movement initiated by God. It also frames prophetic hope, as seen in promises of a future exodus from exile (e.g., Isaiah 48:20).
In an ancient agrarian and pastoral society, the concept of 'going out' was tied to daily survival—going out to work the fields, herd flocks, fetch water, or go to war. The 'going out' of the sun marked the day, and the 'going out' of a word from a king was an irrevocable decree. This tangible, physical understanding grounds its many metaphorical extensions, which would have been immediately relatable to the original audience.
הָלַךְ (hālak, H1980) — emphasizes the process of walking or journeying, while יָצָא focuses on the point of departure or emergence. בּוֹא (bôʼ, H935) — means 'to come in' or 'enter,' often acting as a conceptual opposite. עָזַב (ʿāzab, H5800) — means 'to leave' or 'forsake,' with a stronger connotation of abandonment, whereas יָצָא is more neutral regarding the relationship to what is left.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
Full methodology & sources →