יָת (yat)
yat
whom
A:PartQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:Part
Word Overview
The word yat serves as a grammatical marker for the definite direct object in Biblical Aramaic, functioning identically to the Hebrew et. It does not carry an independent meaning like "whom" or "that," but rather signals that the noun following it is the specific recipient of the action. Because English grammar often omits this distinction, translators typically leave yat untranslated, rendering it invisible in most modern versions.
This particle appears only once in the entire Bible, found in Daniel 3:12. In this context, it marks the officials who are being accused before King Nebuchadnezzar. Its presence clarifies that these men are the specific targets of the accusation, distinguishing them from other participants in the scene. This singular usage highlights how Aramaic, like Hebrew, relies on such markers to define syntactic relationships clearly.
The form is a direct borrowing from Hebrew et, reflecting the close linguistic relationship between the two languages during the Second Temple period. Its exclusive appearance in Daniel underscores the book’s bilingual nature, where Aramaic sections preserve specific grammatical features of the imperial language while maintaining structural parallels to Hebrew syntax. This single instance provides a clear example of how object-marking particles function in Semitic legal and narrative texts.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word yat appears only once in the entire Bible, found in Daniel 3:12. It is an Aramaic particle that marks the definite direct object of a verb. In this verse, it identifies Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego as the specific individuals being accused by the officials before King Nebuchadnezzar. While English translations often omit such markers, its presence in the original text highlights the precision of legal accusations in the ancient Near East.
For your faith, this detail reminds us that God sees the specific people involved in our struggles. The three friends stood firm in their refusal to worship the golden image, even when named explicitly as targets of hatred. Their courage was not a vague resistance but a direct response to a clear demand. This single grammatical marker underscores the reality that God knows exactly who is being tested and why.
When you face opposition or unfair treatment, remember that your name is known before the King of kings. The specificity of the accusation in Daniel shows that no believer is overlooked or forgotten. Your faithfulness, even when singled out for criticism, is seen and valued by God. Rest in the assurance that He appoints purpose to every trial you face.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- <obj.>/ them1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יָתְ/הוֹן֙1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 3:12
There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, have not respected you. They don’t serve your gods, and don’t worship the golden image which you have set up.”
The particle yat marks Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego as the specific recipients of the officials' accusation, distinguishing them from other Jews in the province.