יָצָא (ya.tsa)
ya.tsa
to come out: come
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 868 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb yâtsâʾ means to go out, come out, or exit. It describes a movement from one place to another, often emphasizing the act of leaving or departing. This word appears frequently in the Old Testament, with notable occurrences in Genesis, Exodus, and Jeremiah.
Its range of meanings includes going forth to a specific location, proceeding toward something, or coming out with a particular purpose or result. In some contexts, it can refer to escaping or delivering someone from distress. The verb also has causative forms, such as bringing out or leading out, which are used in passages like Exodus 19:17 where the Israelites are led out of Egypt.
One interesting aspect of yâtsâʾ is its use in describing the origin or source of things. For example, it can refer to children going forth from the loins of a father, highlighting the idea of lineage and descent. This usage underscores the word's versatility in conveying both physical movement and abstract concepts of origin and emergence.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word yâtsâʾ describes the simple yet profound act of going out or coming forth. It captures movement from one space to another, often marking a significant transition. In Genesis, we see this verb used when rivers flow from Eden or when Noah’s family steps out of the ark into a renewed world. These moments highlight that leaving is rarely just about physical location; it is about entering a new season of life under God’s care.
For your faith, this word reminds us that God often calls us to step out in trust. Whether it is Abram leaving his homeland or the Israelites departing Egypt, the act of going out is tied to divine promise and provision. You may find comfort knowing that when you move forward in obedience, even into uncertainty, you are part of a long line of believers who trusted God’s guidance. His presence accompanies every step.
This verb also speaks to origin and emergence. Just as children go forth from their parents, our lives flow from the Creator who formed us. When you feel stuck or unsure, remember that God is the source of your strength and the one who leads you forward. You are never alone in your journey, for He goes before you and walks beside you.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 868 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ he went out85×
- and/ they went out38×
- and/ he brought out20×
- and/ it went out19×
- go out18×
- you will go out16×
- they went out16×
- and/ it goes out16×
- [one who] goes forth16×
- it will go out12×
- he brought out12×
- and/ they brought out12×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וַ/יֵּצֵ֥א25×
- יָצָ֣א20×
- וַ/יֵּצֵ֣א19×
- וַ/יֵּצֵא֙17×
- יֹצֵ֥א16×
- וַ/יֵּצֵ֤א14×
- וַ/יֵּצֵ֨א11×
- וַ/יֵּצֵ֖א11×
- וְ/יָצָ֥א9×
- תֵּצֵ֣א8×
- יֹצֵ֣א8×
- יֵצֵ֥א8×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 8:18
Noah went out, with his sons, his wife, and his sons’ wives with him.
This verse marks the pivotal moment when Noah and his family exit the ark, symbolizing a new beginning and survival after judgment.
-
Genesis 12:4
So Abram went, as Yahweh had told him. Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.
Abram’s departure from Haran demonstrates obedience to God’s call, showing that going out is an act of faith in divine promise.
-
Genesis 15:7
He said to Abram, “I am Yahweh who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give you this land to inherit it.”
God reminds Abram that He brought him out of Ur, linking the physical act of leaving with the spiritual gift of inheritance and covenant.
-
Genesis 15:4
Behold, Yahweh’s word came to him, saying, “This man will not be your heir, but he who will come out of your own body will be your heir.”
Here, yâtsâʾ refers to a heir coming from Abram’s own body, illustrating the word’s use for lineage and the emergence of future generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word yâtsâʾ mean?
How is yâtsâʾ used in the story of Noah?
Does yâtsâʾ only mean physical movement?
Why is this word important for understanding God’s promises?
Every Occurrence (868 verses across 34 books)
Genesis 75 verses
The earth yielded grass, herbs yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit, with their seeds in it, after…
Genesis 1:24God said, “Let the earth produce living creatures after their kind, livestock, creeping things, and animals of the…
Genesis 2:10A river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it was parted, and became the source of four rivers.
Genesis 4:16Cain left Yahweh’s presence, and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden.
Genesis 8:7and he sent out a raven. It went back and forth, until the waters were dried up from the earth.
Genesis 8:16“Go out of the ship, you, your wife, your sons, and your sons’ wives with you.
Genesis 8:17Bring out with you every living thing that is with you of all flesh, including birds, livestock, and every creeping…
Genesis 8:18Noah went out, with his sons, his wife, and his sons’ wives with him.
Genesis 8:19Every animal, every creeping thing, and every bird, whatever moves on the earth, after their families, went out of the…
Genesis 9:10and with every living creature that is with you: the birds, the livestock, and every animal of the earth with you, of…
Genesis 9:18The sons of Noah who went out from the ship were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Ham is the father of Canaan.
Genesis 10:11Out of that land he went into Assyria, and built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah,
Genesis 10:14Pathrusim, Casluhim (which the Philistines descended from), and Caphtorim.
Genesis 11:31Terah took Abram his son, Lot the son of Haran, his son’s son, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife.…
Genesis 12:4So Abram went, as Yahweh had told him. Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.
Genesis 12:5Abram took Sarai his wife, Lot his brother’s son, all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people whom…
Genesis 14:8The king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (also called…
Genesis 14:17The king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with…
Genesis 14:18Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High.
Genesis 15:4Behold, Yahweh’s word came to him, saying, “This man will not be your heir, but he who will come out of your own body…
Genesis 15:5Yahweh brought him outside, and said, “Look now toward the sky, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” He…
Genesis 15:7He said to Abram, “I am Yahweh who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give you this land to inherit it.”
Genesis 15:14I will also judge that nation, whom they will serve. Afterward they will come out with great wealth;
Genesis 17:6I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you. Kings will come out of you.
Genesis 19:5They called to Lot, and said to him, “Where are the men who came in to you this night? Bring them out to us, that we…
Genesis 19:6Lot went out to them through the door, and shut the door after himself.
Genesis 19:8See now, I have two virgin daughters. Please let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them what seems good to…
Genesis 19:12The men said to Lot, “Do you have anybody else here? Sons-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in…
Genesis 19:14Lot went out, and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters, and said, “Get up! Get out of this…
Genesis 19:16But he lingered; and the men grabbed his hand, his wife’s hand, and his two daughters’ hands, Yahweh being merciful to…
Genesis 19:17It came to pass, when they had taken them out, that he said, “Escape for your life! Don’t look behind you, and don’t…
Genesis 19:23The sun had risen on the earth when Lot came to Zoar.
Genesis 24:5The servant said to him, “What if the woman isn’t willing to follow me to this land? Must I bring your son again to the…
Genesis 24:11He made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time that women go out…
Genesis 24:13Behold, I am standing by the spring of water. The daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.
Genesis 24:15Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of…
Genesis 24:43behold, I am standing by this spring of water. Let it happen, that the maiden who comes out to draw, to whom I will…
Genesis 24:45Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her pitcher on her shoulder. She went down to…
Genesis 24:50Then Laban and Bethuel answered, “The thing proceeds from Yahweh. We can’t speak to you bad or good.
Genesis 24:53The servant brought out jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave…
Genesis 24:63Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the evening. He lifted up his eyes and looked. Behold, there were camels…
Genesis 25:25The first came out red all over, like a hairy garment. They named him Esau.
Genesis 25:26After that, his brother came out, and his hand had hold on Esau’s heel. He was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old…
Genesis 27:3Now therefore, please take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field, and get me venison.
Genesis 27:30As soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, and Jacob had just gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, Esau…
Genesis 28:10Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran.
Genesis 30:16Jacob came from the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, “You must come in to me; for I have…
Genesis 31:13I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar, where you vowed a vow to me. Now arise, get out from this land,…
Genesis 31:33Laban went into Jacob’s tent, into Leah’s tent, and into the tent of the two female servants; but he didn’t find them.…
Genesis 34:1Dinah, the daughter of Leah, whom she bore to Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land.
Genesis 34:6Hamor the father of Shechem went out to Jacob to talk with him.
Genesis 34:24All who went out of the gate of his city listened to Hamor, and to Shechem his son; and every male was circumcised, all…
Genesis 34:26They killed Hamor and Shechem, his son, with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem’s house, and went…
Genesis 35:11God said to him, “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations will be from you, and…
Genesis 35:18As her soul was departing (for she died), she named him Benoni, but his father named him Benjamin.
Genesis 38:24About three months later, Judah was told, “Tamar, your daughter-in-law, has played the prostitute. Moreover, behold,…
Genesis 38:25When she was brought out, she sent to her father-in-law, saying, “I am with child by the man who owns these.” She also…
Genesis 38:28When she travailed, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This came…
Genesis 38:29As he drew back his hand, behold, his brother came out, and she said, “Why have you made a breach for yourself?”…
Genesis 38:30Afterward his brother came out, who had the scarlet thread on his hand, and his name was called Zerah.
Genesis 39:12She caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me!” He left his garment in her hand, and ran outside.
Genesis 39:15When he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment by me, and ran outside.”
Genesis 40:14But remember me when it is well with you. Please show kindness to me, and make mention of me to Pharaoh, and bring me…
Genesis 41:45Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphenath-Paneah. He gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On as a wife.…
Genesis 41:46Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh,…
Genesis 42:15By this you shall be tested. By the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go out from here, unless your youngest brother comes…
Genesis 42:28He said to his brothers, “My money is restored! Behold, it is in my sack!” Their hearts failed them, and they turned…
Genesis 43:23He said, “Peace be to you. Don’t be afraid. Your God, and the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks.…
Genesis 43:31He washed his face, and came out. He controlled himself, and said, “Serve the meal.”
Genesis 44:4When they had gone out of the city, and were not yet far off, Joseph said to his steward, “Up, follow after the men.…
Genesis 44:28One went out from me, and I said, “Surely he is torn in pieces;” and I haven’t seen him since.
Genesis 45:1Then Joseph couldn’t control himself before all those who stood before him, and he called out, “Cause everyone to go…
Genesis 46:26All the souls who came with Jacob into Egypt, who were his direct offspring, in addition to Jacob’s sons’ wives, all…
Genesis 47:10Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from the presence of Pharaoh.
Genesis 48:12Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.