יָסַר (ya.sar)
ya.sar
to discipline
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 34 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb yasār carries the dual sense of correcting through discipline and instructing through guidance. It appears thirty-four times in the Old Testament, with significant usage in Psalms, Proverbs, and Jeremiah. The word describes a process where authority figures—whether parents, God, or wise teachers—seek to shape character and behavior.
Its meaning shifts based on context, ranging from gentle admonition to severe chastisement. In Proverbs, it often refers to parental correction of children, as seen in Proverbs 19:18. When applied to God’s relationship with Israel, it can involve harsh punishment for rebellion, such as the warnings in Leviticus 26 or the lament in Jeremiah 2:19. Yet even in these difficult contexts, the goal remains restorative rather than purely punitive.
This word highlights a key aspect of biblical wisdom: correction is an act of care. It assumes that those who are disciplined can learn and change. The sources note that it is used for both physical discipline and verbal instruction, showing that true guidance involves both action and teaching. This comprehensive approach to moral formation remains central to understanding how Scripture views the process of growth and repentance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word yasār describes a process that is both corrective and instructional. It appears when parents guide children, when leaders address rebellion, and most importantly, when God shapes His people. This verb reminds us that discipline is not merely punishment but a form of care intended to restore character and behavior.
In Proverbs 19:18, we see this applied within families: "Discipline your son, for there is hope." The text assumes that correction offers a path forward rather than ending in despair. Similarly, Deuteronomy 8:5 draws a parallel between human fathers and God, noting that divine discipline mirrors the loving guidance of a parent who knows what is best for their child.
Even when the context involves severe consequences, as seen in Leviticus or Jeremiah, the underlying goal remains restorative. This word invites us to view challenges not as signs of abandonment but as opportunities for growth and deeper understanding of God's will.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 34 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he disciplined4×
- discipline2×
- and/ I will discipline/ you2×
- I will discipline2×
- ¿/ [the] discipliner of1×
- you will let yourself be disciplined1×
- you have instructed1×
- you have disciplined/ me1×
- you discipline/ him1×
- to/ discipline/ you1×
- to/ discipline1×
- they have instructed/ me1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יִסַּ֤ר4×
- יַסֵּ֣ר2×
- וְ/יִסַּרְתִּ֙י/ךָ֙2×
- אֲיַסֵּ֥ר2×
- תְּיַסְּרֶ֣/נּוּ1×
- תְּיַסְּרֵ֣/ךְ1×
- תִוָּסְר֖וּ1×
- מְיַסְּרֶֽ/ךָּ\׃1×
- לְ/יַסְּרָ֣ה1×
- לְ/יַסְּרֶ֑/ךָּ1×
- יֹ֤סֵ֨ר\׀1×
- יָסֹר֙1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 8:5
You shall consider in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so Yahweh your God disciplines you.
This verse establishes the theological foundation by comparing God's discipline to that of a human father, framing it as an act of familial love rather than arbitrary anger.
-
Proverbs 19:18
Discipline your son, for there is hope; don’t be a willing party to his death.
Here the word is linked directly to 'hope,' showing that parental correction is a proactive measure to prevent moral ruin and preserve the child's future.
-
Psalms 94:12
Blessed is the man whom you discipline, Yah, and teach out of your law,
The psalmist blesses those whom God disciplines, connecting this experience with receiving instruction from His law, which leads to spiritual stability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word yasār mean?
Is yasār only about punishment?
How does yasār relate to God's relationship with Israel?
Every Occurrence (34 verses across 11 books)
Leviticus 3 verses
“‘If you in spite of these things will not listen to me, then I will chastise you seven times more for your sins.
Leviticus 26:23“‘If by these things you won’t be turned back to me, but will walk contrary to me,
Leviticus 26:28then I will walk contrary to you in wrath. I will also chastise you seven times for your sins.