Lexical Summary yaah: To be suitable, to be fitting, to be proper Original Word: יָאָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance appertain A primitive root; to be suitable -- appertain. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to befit, be befitting NASB Translation due (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [יָאָה] verb befit, be befitting (Late Hebrew ᵑ7 יָאֵי, יָאֶה adjective worthy, fitting, fine; יָאוּת adverb right, well; Phoenician יא fair; Syriac  adjective for נאוה Psalm 33:1, πρέπει Matthew 3:15) — Qal Perfect לְךָ יָאָ֑תָה Jeremiah 10:7, for thee it (i.e. fear) is befitting, late Aramaism. יְאוֺר see יְאֹר. יַאֲזַנְיָ֫הוּ, יַאֲזַנְיָה see below אזן above יָאִיר, יָאִירִי see below אור above Topical Lexicon Meaning and Semantic Range The verb expresses what is suitable, fitting, or appropriate to the subject in view. In its single biblical occurrence it designates what is rightly due to the Lord—reverence that accords with His unrivaled majesty. Canonical Occurrence (Jeremiah 10:7) “Who would not fear You, O King of the nations? For it is Your due. For among all the wise men of the nations and in all their kingdoms, there is none like You.” (Berean Standard Bible) Set in a prophetic denunciation of idolatry, the word underscores that fearing the Lord is not optional but the only response that aligns with reality. In Jeremiah’s polemic, idols are powerless and fashioned by human hands, whereas the living God is Creator, Sovereign, and Judge. Therefore, it is “fitting” that He alone receive awe and worship. Theological Significance 1. Exclusivity of Divine Worthiness: The term strengthens the biblical insistence that worship must be directed only to God (Exodus 20:3; Matthew 4:10). Comparative Scriptural Themes • “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name” (Psalm 29:2). The isolated Hebrew verb thus belongs to a wider biblical vocabulary declaring that God and His Messiah deserve exclusive honor. Historical Background in Jeremiah Written in the late seventh to early sixth century B.C., Jeremiah 10 addresses Judah’s temptation to imitate surrounding nations. Craftsmen shape idols, overlay them with precious metal, secure them with nails, and then revere what they have made. The prophet contrasts this folly with the living God who rules all nations. The singular verb punctuates his argument: only One is entitled to fear. Implications for Worship and Ministry • Worship Planning: Music, liturgy, and prayer should aim at magnifying the uniqueness of God rather than catering to human preference. Christological Perspective The New Testament transfers divine prerogatives to Jesus Christ. Philippians 2:10–11 envisions every knee bowing to Him, the act that Jeremiah says is fitting for God alone. Hebrews 2:10 likewise calls it “fitting” that God should perfect salvation through the sufferings of Christ, uniting divine worthiness with redemptive purpose. Thus the Old Testament assertion of Yahweh’s exclusive right to fear finds its fullest expression in the exaltation of the Son. Devotional and Pastoral Applications • Examine the heart for rival allegiances; any trust or delight that eclipses God is unfitting. The solitary appearance of this verb in Jeremiah distills a timeless truth: acknowledging God’s unrivaled greatness is not merely advisable; it is the only response that truly befits Him. Forms and Transliterations יָאָ֑תָה יאתה yā’āṯāh yā·’ā·ṯāh yaAtahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Jeremiah 10:7 HEB: כִּ֥י לְךָ֖ יָאָ֑תָה כִּ֣י בְכָל־ NAS: Indeed it is Your due! For among all KJV: of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise INT: of the nations for is your due among all 1 Occurrence |
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