יָרָא (ya.ra)
ya.ra
to shoot; to show
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 66 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb yara carries a vivid physical sense of shooting or pouring, often describing the action of an archer loosing arrows. This concrete imagery appears in texts like Psalm 64:7, where God is depicted as shooting at those who plot evil, and in Job 27:20, which describes sudden destruction coming like a flood. The word’s range extends beyond warfare to include pouring out water or rain, linking physical force with natural provision.
In a significant shift of meaning, yara also means to point out, show, or instruct. This transition from the physical act of aiming an arrow to the mental act of directing attention is key to its theological weight. It is frequently used in the Old Testament to describe God teaching His laws or showing people His ways. For instance, Exodus 18:20 records Jethro advising Moses to teach the statutes and show them the path they should walk.
The connection between these two senses lies in direction. Just as an archer aims at a target, one who instructs points out the right course of action. This dual usage highlights how biblical language often grounds spiritual concepts in tangible actions. The word reminds readers that divine instruction is not abstract but directed and purposeful, guiding behavior with the precision of a skilled shooter.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word yara begins with the image of an archer drawing a bowstring tight. It describes the physical act of shooting an arrow or pouring out water with force. This vivid language reminds us that God’s actions are not vague or accidental. When Scripture says He shoots arrows, it speaks of purposeful direction and decisive intervention in history.
Yet this same word shifts from warfare to wisdom. It comes to mean showing the way or teaching statutes. Just as an archer aims at a target, God directs our lives with precision. He does not leave us wandering without guidance. Instead, He points out the path we should walk, offering clear instruction for daily living.
This dual meaning brings comfort. We serve a God who is both powerful and personal. He acts with strength when needed, but He also takes time to teach us His ways. His guidance is specific, not abstract. You can trust that His direction for your life is as focused and intentional as an arrow finding its mark.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 66 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ archers5×
- teach/ me4×
- so/ he may teach/ us3×
- to/ shoot2×
- they will instruct/ you2×
- so/ it may teach/ you2×
- he will shoot2×
- he teaches/ him2×
- and/ to/ teach2×
- and/ they shot arrows2×
- and/ I will teach/ you2×
- and/ I will teach2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תוֹרֵ֛/ם2×
- יוֹרֶ֥ה2×
- וּ/לְ/הוֹרֹ֖ת2×
- וְ/תֹרֶ֑/ךָּ2×
- וְ/הוֹרֵיתִ֣י2×
- מוֹרֶ֣ה1×
- מוֹרֶ֖ה1×
- מוֹרֶ֑ה1×
- מֹ֝רֶ֗ה1×
- מֵ/הַ/מּוֹרִֽים\׃1×
- לִ/ירוֹא֙1×
- לִ/יר֥וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 10:11
You are to teach the children of Israel all the statutes which Yahweh has spoken to them by Moses.”
God commands the priests to teach statutes using this verb, showing how physical direction becomes spiritual instruction for the community.
-
I Samuel 20:20
I will shoot three arrows on its side, as though I shot at a mark.
Jonathan uses the literal sense of shooting arrows as a coded signal, demonstrating the word’s concrete origin in military communication.