יָצַר (ya.tsar)
ya.tsar
be distressed
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 9 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb yatsar carries the core sense of being bound, cramped, or narrowed. In its most common usage, it describes a state of distress or straits, where one feels physically or emotionally constrained by circumstances. This word appears nine times in the Old Testament, with significant occurrences in Judges, Job, and Proverbs.
Its imagery is concrete: just as a narrow passage restricts movement, yatsar depicts life situations that press in on a person from all sides. In Judges, it often describes military sieges or physical confinement, while in Job and Proverbs, it shifts toward the internal experience of anguish or being overwhelmed by trouble. The root suggests a loss of space or freedom, leading to anxiety or fear.
Translators typically render yatsar as "distressed," "in distress," or "narrowed." This captures both the external pressure of enemies and the internal tightening of the spirit. The word reminds readers that biblical distress is not merely abstract sadness but a tangible feeling of being trapped, whether by war, poverty, or deep personal sorrow.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word yatsar paints a vivid picture of life feeling suddenly narrow. It describes the sensation of being cramped or squeezed by circumstances beyond your control. This could be the pressure of an enemy, the weight of personal grief, or the anxiety of uncertainty. The Bible does not shy away from this reality; it names the tightness we feel when freedom seems lost.
Yet, within these verses, there is a steady anchor. In 1 Samuel 30:6, David faced the threat of being stoned by his own people. He was deeply distressed, yet he chose to strengthen himself in the Lord. This shows that distress does not mean God has abandoned you. Instead, it can be the moment where we turn our eyes toward Him for strength.
When you feel trapped or overwhelmed, remember that this feeling is known and understood. You are not alone in your struggle. The same God who heard Israel in their trouble hears your cry. There is hope in knowing that even in the narrowest places, His mercy remains available to those who seek Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ it was distress4×
- you will be [too] cramped1×
- they are restricted1×
- it will be distress1×
- anyone will hinder1×
- and/ they caused distress1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תֵּצְרִ֣י1×
- יֵצַ֣ר1×
- יֵֽ֭צְרוּ1×
- יֵ֣צֶר1×
- וַ/תֵּ֨צֶר1×
- וַ/תֵּ֥צֶר1×
- וַ/יָּצֵ֖רוּ1×
- וַ/יֵּ֨צֶר1×
- וַ/יֵּ֥צֶר1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 30:6
David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the souls of all the people were grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters; but David strengthened himself in Yahweh his God.
This verse highlights the critical response to distress, showing how David strengthened himself in God despite the intense pressure of betrayal and threat.
-
Judges 2:15
Wherever they went out, Yahweh’s hand was against them for evil, as Yahweh had spoken, and as Yahweh had sworn to them; and they were very distressed.
Here the word describes the collective suffering of Israel as a direct consequence of their actions, illustrating the heavy burden of national distress.
-
Nehemiah 9:27
Therefore you delivered them into the hand of their adversaries, who distressed them. In the time of their trouble, when they cried to you, you heard from heaven; and according to your manifold mercies you gave them saviors who saved them out of the hands of their adversaries.
This passage connects human distress with divine rescue, emphasizing that God hears cries from heaven and provides deliverance through saviors.
-
Job 20:22
In the fullness of his sufficiency, distress will overtake him. The hand of everyone who is in misery will come on him.
In Job's dialogue, this term illustrates the sudden intrusion of trouble into a state of sufficiency, warning that distress can overtake anyone unexpectedly.