Lexical Summary yaats: To advise, counsel, consult, determine Original Word: יָעַץ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance advertise, take advise, advise well, consult, give, take counsel, determine, devise, A primitive root; to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve -- advertise, take advise, advise (well), consult, (give, take) counsel(-lor), determine, devise, guide, purpose. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to advise, counsel NASB Translation advise (1), advisers (1), conspire (1), conspired (1), consult (2), consulted (8), counsel (4), counsel do you give (2), counsel you have given (1), counseled (7), Counselor (1), counselor (10), counselors (11), decided (3), devised (2), devises (2), formed (1), gave (1), give (2), give you advice (1), give you counsel (1), given (4), planned (8), purposed (1), purposing (1), receive counsel (1), take counsel (1), took counsel (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs יָעַץ verb advise, counsel (only twice in Hexateuch) (Aramaic יְעט; Arabic ![]() Qal Perfect3masculine singular יָעַץ Isaiah 7:5 11t.; יָעָ֑ץ Isaiah 14:27 2t.; suffix יְעָצָ֑נִי Psalm 16:7; יְעָצָהּ Isaiah 23:9 + יְעָצָהוּ Baer 2 Chronicles 10:8; 3 plural יָָֽעֲצוּ Psalm 62:5; suffix יְעָצֻהוּ 1 Kings 12:8 2t. (including 2 Chronicles 10:8, Baer יְעָצָ֑הוּ); etc.; Imperfect אִיעֲצָה Psalm 32:8 (Ol Che אִיעָֽצְךָ); אִיעָֽצְךָ Exodus 18:19; Numbers 24:14 (not elsewhere Hexateuch), Jeremiah 38:15, compare also foregoing; אִיעָצֵךְ 1 Kings 1:12; Participle active יוֺעֵץ Isaiah 3:3 9t.; construct יֹעֵץ Nahum 1:11, יוֺעֵץ 2 Samuel 15:2; יוֺעֲצֵךְ Micah 4:9; plural יוֺעֲצִים Job 12:17 3t.; יֹעֲצִים Ezekiel 11:2; construct יֹעֲצֵי Isaiah 19:11 2t., etc.; feminine singular suffix יוֺעַצְתּוֺ2Chronicles 22:3; Passive participle feminine יְעוּצָה Isaiah 14:26; — advise, counsel, with accusative Isaiah 32:7,8; Isaiah 23:9 (subject ׳י) Micah 6:5; followed by בְּלִיַּ֫עַל Nahum 1:11; Nah 7:5 (followed by עַל = against), Nah 19:12 (followed by id.), Nah 23:8 (followed by id.), Habakkuk 2:10 (followed by לְ); often with accusative of congnate meaning with verb 2 Samuel 16:23; 2 Samuel 17:7; Ezekiel 11:2; followed by אֶל against Jeremiah 49:20; Jeremiah 50:45 (in both of ׳י); followed by עַל against Jeremiah 49:30; Isaiah 19:17 (of ׳י); compare passive participle Isaiah 14:26; with accusative of congnate meaning with verb + suffix person 1 Kings 12:8,12,13; 2Chronicles 10:8; with accusative of person 2 Samuel 17:15; Psalm 16:7; Exodus 18:19; Numbers 24:14 (+ rel. clause) Jeremiah 38:15; absolute (of ׳י) Isaiah 14:24 (c. adverb כאשׁר), Isaiah 14:27; of man 2 Samuel 17:15 (כזאת וכזאת), 2 Samuel 17:21 (ככה + על); followed by infinitive Psalm 62:5; 2Chronicles 25:16 (of אלהים); followed by clause without connective 2 Samuel 17:11; followed by לְלֹא חָכְמָה Job 26:3; — אִיעֲצָה עליך עיני Psalm 32:8 (see above). — Participle active as substantive = counseller, king's adviser 2 Samuel 15:12; 1 Chronicles 27:33; 2Chronicles 22:4; 25:16; Ezra 7:28; Ezra 8:25; Isaiah 19:11; so feminine 2Chronicles 22:3; probably also 1 Chronicles 27:32 ("" אִישׁ מֵבִין יְסוֺפֵר); compare Micah 4:9, also Isaiah 1:26 ("" שֹׁפְטִים), Job 12:17 ("" id.); — in these three, of importance for people; so also Isaiah 3:3; Proverbs 11:4 = Proverbs 24:6; compare Job 3:14, and particularly מֶּלֶא יוֺעֵץ Isaiah 9:5 wonder of a counsellor, of the ideal ruler predicated. More Generally, counsellor, adviser Proverbs 15:22; בְּשֶׂכֶל ׳יו 1 Chronicles 26:14 (specific reason for title unknown); ׳יֹעֲ שָׁלוֺם Proverbs 12:20; = prophet Isaiah 41:28, nearly = agents (hired by adversaries of Judah) Ezra 4:5. Niph`al (reflexive or reciprocal) Perfect נוֺעַץ Isaiah 40:14; נוֺעֲצוּ Psalm 71:10; Psalm 83:6; Imperfect וַיִּוָּעַץ 1 Kings 12:6 10t.; יִוָָּֽעֲצוּ Isaiah 45:21; וַיִּוָָּֽעֲצוּ2Chronicles 30:23; נִוָָּֽעֲצָה Nehemiah 6:7; Participle plural נוֺעָצִים 1 Kings 12:6 4t.; — consult together, exchange counsel, of king with advisers, followed by אֶתֿ 1 Kings 12:6,8 2Chronicles 10:6,8; and so of ׳י Isaiah 40:14; followed by אֶלֿ 2 Kings 6:8; 2Chronicles 20:21; followed by עִם 1 Chronicles 13:1; 2Chronicles 32:3; absolute consider 1 Kings 12:28; 2Chronicles 25:17; 30:2; compare 1 Kings 12:6 (followed by infinitive) = 2 Chronicles 10:6; 1 Kings 12:9 (followed by Imperfect + ו subordinate) = 2 Chronicles 10:9; in General consult, take counsel, absolute Proverbs 13:10; יַחְדָּו Psalm 71:10; Nehemiah 6:7; Isaiah 45:21; followed by לֵב יַחְדָּו (with heart together) Psalm 83:6 nearly = determine, followed by infinitive 2 Chronicles 30:23. Hithpa`el Imperfect יִתְיָעֲצוּ Psalm 83:4 conspire against, followed by עַל ("" יַעֲרִימוּ סוֺד על). Topical Lexicon Overview of Scriptural UsageThe verb יָעַץ occurs about seventy-eight times across the Old Testament and ranges in meaning from “advise, counsel, purpose, plan, devise” to “determine.” The contexts span personal relationships, national policy, prophetic declarations, and divine self-revelation. In every sphere Scripture presents counsel as morally weighty, either reflecting the steadfast wisdom of God or the fragile, often destructive, reasoning of fallen humanity. Counsel as Divine Attribute 1. God’s counsel is eternal and irresistible. “The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the purposes of His heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:11). Isaiah repeatedly emphasizes that no power can frustrate what God has purposed (Isaiah 14:24-27; 46:10-11; 48:14-15). Human Counsel—Wise and Foolish 1. Godly counsel fosters life and stability. Jethro’s advice to Moses (Exodus 18:19-24) preserved the leader’s strength and served the people. Ezra’s reform relied on collective counsel rooted in Scripture (Ezra 10:3-5). Proverbs celebrates wise advisers: “With guidance a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance” (Proverbs 11:14; see also 15:22; 24:6). Messianic and Prophetic Connections The noun form appears in Isaiah 9:6, naming Messiah “Wonderful Counselor,” but the verb יָעַץ also undergirds messianic hope. Isaiah foretells a day when “He will be called… Wonderful Counselor” precisely because He embodies the flawless counsel already witnessed in the divine verb usage. The Servant of Isaiah 11:2 will possess “the Spirit of counsel and strength,” assuring believers that the same counsel guiding Israel’s history culminates in Christ’s redemptive reign. Implications for Ministry 1. Preaching and Teaching: Pastors and teachers must anchor counsel in God’s revealed Word, confident that His purposes endure when human plans fail (Proverbs 19:21). Warnings and Encouragements • Test every plan against God’s Word; counsel contrary to Scripture is ultimately futile (Isaiah 8:20). Selected Key References Exodus 18:19-24; Numbers 24:14; 2 Samuel 17:14; 1 Kings 12:6-15; 2 Chronicles 25:17; Ezra 10:3; Job 12:13; Psalm 16:7; Psalm 33:11; Psalm 73:24; Proverbs 11:14; Proverbs 15:22; Isaiah 8:10; Isaiah 14:24-27; Isaiah 19:11; Isaiah 46:10-11; Jeremiah 7:24; Jeremiah 18:18; Jeremiah 50:45; Micah 4:12; Nahum 1:11. Conclusion The verb יָעַץ presents counsel as a decisive force in Scripture, displaying the contrast between the flawless purpose of God and the precarious schemes of humanity. Believers are summoned to align every plan, personal and corporate, with the everlasting counsel revealed in the Word and fulfilled in Christ. Forms and Transliterations אִֽיעֲצָ֖ה אִיעָ֣צְךָ֔ אִיעָצֵ֥ךְ איעצה איעצך הַלְיוֹעֵ֤ץ הליועץ וְ֝יִתְיָעֲצ֗וּ וְהַיֹּעֲצִ֥ים וְיֹ֣עֲצֵי וְיֹעֲצַ֖יִךְ וְיֹעֲצָ֣יו וְיֽוֹעֲצָ֔יו וְיוֹעֵ֛ץ וְנִֽוָּעֲצָ֖ה וַיִּוָּֽעֲצוּ֙ וַיִּוָּעַ֗ץ וַיִּוָּעַ֞ץ וַיִּוָּעַ֣ץ וַיִּוָּעַ֨ץ וַיִּוָּעַץ֙ וּֽלְיֹעֲצֵ֖י והיעצים ויועץ ויועצו ויועציו ויעצי ויעציו ויעציך ויתיעצו וליעצי ונועצה יְעָצָ֑הּ יְעָצָ֑נִי יְעָצֻ֑הוּ יְעָצֻֽהוּ׃ יִֽוָּעֲצ֖וּ יָּ֭עַצְתָּ יָּעַ֗ץ יָּעַ֛ץ יָעֲצ֣וּ יָעַ֖צְתִּי יָעַ֗צְתִּי יָעַ֣ץ יָעַ֤ץ יָעַ֥ץ יָעַ֥צְתִּי יָעַ֥צְתָּ יָעַ֨ץ יָעַץ֙ יָעָ֑ץ יָעָ֔ץ יָעָ֖ץ יֹעֵ֖ץ יֽוֹעֲצִ֗ים יֽוֹעַצְתּ֖וֹ יוֹעֲצִ֖ים יוֹעֲצִ֣ים יוֹעֲצֵךְ֙ יוֹעֵ֑ץ יוֹעֵ֔ץ יוֹעֵ֣ץ יוֹעֵ֣ץ ׀ יוֹעֵ֥ץ יוֹעֵֽץ׃ יוֹעֵץ֙ יועץ יועץ׃ יועצו יועצים יועצך יועצתו יעץ יעצה יעצהו יעצהו׃ יעצו יעצני יעצת יעצתי נ֖וֹעָצִ֣ים נֽוֹעָצִ֔ים נוֹעֲצ֣וּ נוֹעֲצ֥וּ נוֹעָץ֙ נועץ נועצו נועצים ’î‘ăṣāh ’î‘āṣêḵ ’î‘āṣəḵā ’î·‘ă·ṣāh ’î·‘ā·ṣə·ḵā ’î·‘ā·ṣêḵ hal·yō·w·‘êṣ halyoEtz halyōw‘êṣ iaTzah iaTzech iAtzecha nō·w·‘ā·ṣîm nō·w·‘ă·ṣū nō·w·‘āṣ noAtz noaTzim noaTzu nōw‘āṣ nōw‘āṣîm nōw‘ăṣū ū·lə·yō·‘ă·ṣê ūləyō‘ăṣê uleyoaTzei vaiyivvaAtz vaiyivvaaTzu vehaiyoaTzim venivvaaTzah veyityaaTzu veyoaTzav veyoaTzayich veYoatzei veyoEtz way·yiw·wā·‘ă·ṣū way·yiw·wā·‘aṣ wayyiwwā‘aṣ wayyiwwā‘ăṣū wə·hay·yō·‘ă·ṣîm wə·niw·wā·‘ă·ṣāh wə·yiṯ·yā·‘ă·ṣū wə·yō·‘ă·ṣa·yiḵ wə·yō·‘ă·ṣāw wə·yō·‘ă·ṣê wə·yō·w·‘ă·ṣāw wə·yō·w·‘êṣ wəhayyō‘ăṣîm wəniwwā‘ăṣāh wəyiṯyā‘ăṣū wəyō‘ăṣāw wəyō‘ăṣayiḵ wəyō‘ăṣê wəyōw‘ăṣāw wəyōw‘êṣ yā‘aṣ yā‘āṣ yā‘aṣtā yā‘aṣtî yā‘ăṣū yā·‘ă·ṣū yā·‘aṣ yā·‘āṣ yā·‘aṣ·tā yā·‘aṣ·tî yaAtz Yaatzta yaAtzti yaaTzu yə‘āṣāh yə‘āṣānî yə‘āṣuhū yə·‘ā·ṣā·nî yə·‘ā·ṣāh yə·‘ā·ṣu·hū yeaTzah yeaTzani yeaTzuhu yivvaaTzu yiw·wā·‘ă·ṣū yiwwā‘ăṣū yō‘êṣ yō·‘êṣ yō·w·‘ă·ṣêḵ yō·w·‘ă·ṣîm yō·w·‘aṣ·tōw yō·w·‘êṣ yoatzeCh yoaTzim yoatzTo yoEtz yōw‘ăṣêḵ yōw‘ăṣîm yōw‘aṣtōw yōw‘êṣLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 18:19 HEB: שְׁמַ֤ע בְּקֹלִי֙ אִיעָ֣צְךָ֔ וִיהִ֥י אֱלֹהִ֖ים NAS: listen to me: I will give you counsel, and God KJV: now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God INT: listen my voice will give shall be and God Numbers 24:14 2 Samuel 15:12 2 Samuel 16:23 2 Samuel 17:7 2 Samuel 17:11 2 Samuel 17:15 2 Samuel 17:15 2 Samuel 17:21 1 Kings 1:12 1 Kings 12:6 1 Kings 12:6 1 Kings 12:8 1 Kings 12:8 1 Kings 12:9 1 Kings 12:13 1 Kings 12:28 2 Kings 6:8 1 Chronicles 13:1 1 Chronicles 26:14 1 Chronicles 27:32 1 Chronicles 27:33 2 Chronicles 10:6 2 Chronicles 10:6 2 Chronicles 10:8 78 Occurrences |