יֵשׁ (yesh)
yesh
there
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 119 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew word yesh functions as a fundamental assertion of reality, meaning "there is" or "existence." It serves as the linguistic counterpart to the verb "to be," allowing speakers to declare that something exists without specifying tense or number. This simplicity makes it a versatile tool for stating facts, such as when Jacob realizes God’s presence in Bethel (Genesis 28:16) or when Naomi describes her emptiness in contrast to her former fullness (Ruth 1:21).
Its etymology likely points to an ancient root meaning "to stand out" or "be present," which explains its dual use. Beyond the simple declaration of existence, yesh can denote tangible substance or wealth, as seen in Proverbs 8:21 where wisdom promises to cause lovers to inherit "substance." This concrete sense grounds the abstract concept of being in physical reality.
Translators often render yesh with various forms of "to be" depending on context, such as "is," "are," or "have." The sources highlight its frequent pairing with negation (ayin) to create a binary worldview of presence and absence. This word anchors biblical narrative in the tangible world, affirming that creation has substance and God is actively present within it.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word yesh is a simple declaration that something exists. It affirms reality without adding extra detail. In Genesis 28:16, Jacob uses it to say God is in a specific place. This shifts his view from fear to wonder. He realizes the divine is present where he stands.
This word helps us notice what is already here. We often look for signs or grand events. Yesh reminds us that presence is a fact we can acknowledge. It grounds our faith in tangible reality rather than abstract ideas.
When you feel alone, remember this word. It asserts that God is there. You do not need to create the situation. You only need to see what is already present. This simple truth offers steady comfort in uncertain times.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 119 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- there72×
- and/ there16×
- ¿/ [is] there15×
- there is4×
- [is] there3×
- ¿/ [does] there2×
- there/ you2×
- there/ it2×
- and/ there is2×
- [are] there/ you2×
- ¿/ [are] there1×
- there/ he1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יֶשׁ\־29×
- יֵ֣שׁ19×
- יֵ֥שׁ10×
- יֵשׁ\־5×
- יֵ֤שׁ5×
- וְ/יֵ֣שׁ5×
- הֲ/יֵ֣שׁ4×
- יֵ֛שׁ3×
- וְ/יֵשׁ֙3×
- הֲ/יֵשׁ\־3×
- הֲ/יֵ֧שׁ3×
- יֶשְׁנ֣/וֹ2×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 28:16
Jacob awakened out of his sleep, and he said, “Surely Yahweh is in this place, and I didn’t know it.”
Jacob uses yesh to affirm the concrete presence of Yahweh in a place he previously thought empty.
-
Genesis 42:1
Now Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, and Jacob said to his sons, “Why do you look at one another?”
The text uses yesh to state a factual condition of survival, showing how existence meets physical need.
-
Exodus 17:7
He called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because the children of Israel quarreled, and because they tested Yahweh, saying, “Is Yahweh among us, or not?”
Israelites question whether Yahweh is present among them, using the word to test divine proximity during crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word yesh mean?
How is yesh different from the verb 'to be'?
Where does yesh appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (119 verses across 24 books)
Genesis 20 verses
What if there are fifty righteous within the city? Will you consume and not spare the place for the fifty righteous who…
Genesis 23:8He talked with them, saying, “If you agree that I should bury my dead out of my sight, hear me, and entreat for me to…
Genesis 24:23and said, “Whose daughter are you? Please tell me. Is there room in your father’s house for us to stay?”
Genesis 24:42I came today to the spring, and said, ‘Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham, if now you do prosper my way which I go—
Genesis 24:49Now if you will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me. If not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand, or…
Genesis 28:16Jacob awakened out of his sleep, and he said, “Surely Yahweh is in this place, and I didn’t know it.”
Genesis 31:29It is in the power of my hand to hurt you, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, ‘Be careful that…
Genesis 33:9Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; let that which you have be yours.”
Genesis 33:11Please take the gift that I brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.” He…
Genesis 39:4Joseph found favor in his sight. He ministered to him, and Potiphar made him overseer over his house, and all that he…
Genesis 39:5From the time that he made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, Yahweh blessed the Egyptian’s house for…
Genesis 39:8But he refused, and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, my master doesn’t know what is with me in the house, and he has…
Genesis 42:1Now Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, and Jacob said to his sons, “Why do you look at one another?”
Genesis 42:2He said, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there, and buy for us from there, so that we may…
Genesis 43:4If you’ll send our brother with us, we’ll go down and buy you food;
Genesis 43:7They said, “The man asked directly concerning ourselves, and concerning our relatives, saying, ‘Is your father still…
Genesis 44:19My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have you a father, or a brother?’
Genesis 44:20We said to my lord, ‘We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead,…
Genesis 44:26We said, ‘We can’t go down. If our youngest brother is with us, then we will go down: for we may not see the man’s…
Genesis 47:6The land of Egypt is before you. Make your father and your brothers dwell in the best of the land. Let them dwell in…