יָבַב (ya.vav)
ya.vav
to cry
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb yabav appears only once in the Old Testament, found in Judges 5:28 within Deborah’s song. In this specific instance, it is used in the Piel stem to describe the mother of Sisera looking out her window. The word conveys a sharp, shrill cry, capturing the sudden shift from anticipation to distress as she waits for her son’s return.
Unlike general terms for weeping or mourning, yabav suggests a piercing sound, likely reflecting panic or acute anxiety. The sources highlight this distinction, noting that the mother’s cry is not one of quiet sorrow but of loud, urgent alarm. This vivid detail underscores the human cost of war, contrasting the military victory celebrated in the song with the personal devastation experienced by the enemy’s family.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word yabav appears just once in Scripture, capturing a moment of sharp, urgent alarm. In Judges 5:28, it describes the mother of Sisera crying out from her window. This is not the quiet weeping of grief, but a shrill sound of panic and anxiety as she waits for news that never comes.
This single verse reminds us that behind every grand victory or defeat are real human hearts feeling fear and loss. The text does not shy away from this pain, showing us that war leaves scars even on those who oppose God’s people. It invites us to see the full weight of conflict—not just in triumph, but in the trembling voices of those left waiting.
When we read stories like this, we are invited to reflect on how our own anxieties might look when voiced aloud. Perhaps your heart is also watching for a sign, wondering why answers seem delayed. This word gives voice to that tension, reminding us that God hears even the loudest cries of distress.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ she lamented1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וַ/תְּיַבֵּ֛ב1×
Key Verses
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Judges 5:28
“Through the window she looked out, and cried: Sisera’s mother looked through the lattice. ‘Why is his chariot so long in coming? Why do the wheels of his chariots wait?’
This is the only occurrence of yabav in the Old Testament, where it vividly portrays the mother’s panicked cry rather than quiet mourning.