יָכַח
ya.khach (H3198)
to rebuke
AI Word Study
# Analysis of יָכַח (yakhaḥ) — "to rebuke" The Hebrew verb יָכַח appears 59 times throughout the biblical text, establishing it as a moderately frequent term with consistent semantic range. The lemma carries the primary meaning "to rebuke," which denotes a verbal act of correction or reproof directed at another person. This is not merely criticism but carries an element of formal disapproval or censure, suggesting a speaker with some standing or authority addressing wrongdoing or error in the addressee. The frequency of occurrence—appearing in 59 separate biblical passages—indicates that rebuke was a recognized and recurring communicative practice within ancient Israelite culture. The word's consistency in meaning across these 59 instances suggests it occupied a stable place in the vocabulary of moral and social correction. The term encompasses both interpersonal rebuke and, importantly, divine rebuke of human conduct, making it significant for understanding how the biblical text portrays accountability and correction across different contexts and relationships. Understanding יָכַח as "to rebuke" rather than simply "to speak against" highlights the purposeful, corrective dimension of the action. It represents a speech act embedded within social structures where criticism serves a normative function—pointing out fault with the implied expectation of amendment or acknowledgment of error.
AI synthesis uses only provided lexicon data -- never training knowledge.
To Sarah he said, “Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. Behold, it is for you a covering of the eyes to all that are with you. In front of all you are vindicated.”
Abraham complained to Abimelech because of a water well, which Abimelech’s servants had violently taken away.
Let it happen, that the young lady to whom I will say, ‘Please let down your pitcher, that I may drink,’ then she says, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink,’—let her be the one you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.”
then she tells me, “Drink, and I will also draw for your camels,”—let her be the woman whom Yahweh has appointed for my master’s son.’
Now that you have felt around in all my stuff, what have you found of all your household stuff? Set it here before my relatives and your relatives, that they may judge between us two.
Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night.”
“ ‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.
I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men;
It may be Yahweh your God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master has sent to defy the living God, and will rebuke the words which Yahweh your God has heard. Therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.’ ”
David went out to meet them, and answered them, “If you have come peaceably to me to help me, my heart will be united with you; but if you have come to betray me to my adversaries, since there is no wrong in my hands, may the God of our fathers see this and rebuke it.”
He allowed no man to do them wrong. Yes, he reproved kings for their sakes,
“Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects. Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.
How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what does it reprove?
Do you intend to reprove words, since the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?
There is no umpire between us, that might lay his hand on us both.
“Surely I would speak to the Almighty. I desire to reason with God.
He will surely reprove you if you secretly show partiality.
Behold, he will kill me. I have no hope. Nevertheless, I will maintain my ways before him.
Should he reason with unprofitable talk, or with speeches with which he can do no good?
that he would maintain the right of a man with God, of a son of man with his neighbor!
If indeed you will magnify yourselves against me, and plead against me my reproach,
Is it for your piety that he reproves you, that he enters with you into judgment?
There the upright might reason with him, so I should be delivered forever from my judge.
Yes, I gave you my full attention, but there was no one who convinced Job, or who answered his words, among you.
He is chastened also with pain on his bed, with continual strife in his bones,
“Shall he who argues contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.”
Yahweh, don’t rebuke me in your anger, neither discipline me in your wrath.
Yahweh, don’t rebuke me in your wrath, neither chasten me in your hot displeasure.
I don’t rebuke you for your sacrifices. Your burnt offerings are continually before me.
You have done these things, and I kept silent. You thought that I was just like you. I will rebuke you, and accuse you in front of your eyes.
He who disciplines the nations, won’t he punish? He who teaches man knows.
He allowed no one to do them wrong. Yes, he reproved kings for their sakes,
Let the righteous strike me, it is kindness; let him reprove me, it is like oil on the head; don’t let my head refuse it; Yet my prayer is always against evil deeds.
for whom Yahweh loves, he corrects, even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights.
One who corrects a mocker invites insult. One who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
Don’t reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise person, and he will love you.
Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them.
As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue.
Don’t you add to his words, lest he reprove you, and you be found a liar.
“Come now, and let’s reason together,” says Yahweh: “Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
He will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
His delight will be in the fear of Yahweh. He will not judge by the sight of his eyes, neither decide by the hearing of his ears;
but he will judge the poor with righteousness, and decide with equity for the humble of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; and with the breath of his lips he will kill the wicked.
who cause a person to be indicted by a word, and lay a snare for the arbiter in the gate, and who deprive the innocent of justice with false testimony.
It may be Yahweh your God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master has sent to defy the living God, and will rebuke the words which Yahweh your God has heard. Therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.’ ”
“Your own wickedness will correct you, and your backsliding will rebuke you. Know therefore and see that it is an evil and bitter thing, that you have forsaken Yahweh your God, and that my fear is not in you,” says the Lord, Yahweh of Armies.
I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth, that you will be mute, and will not be able to correct them; for they are a rebellious house.
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