יִתְרוֹן (yit.ron)

yit.ron

advantage

H3504 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 7 verses

H:N-M

Language: Biblical Hebrew
Testament: Old Testament
Occurrences: 7 verses
Root: —
Part of speech: H:N-M

Definition

advantage, profit, excellency

Brown-Driver-Briggs

יִתְרוֹן n.[m.] advantage, profit, only Ec

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

advantage, profit, excellency

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word yitron points to a lasting benefit or advantage gained from effort. In Ecclesiastes, this term often appears alongside questions about whether our daily labor yields any real profit under the sun. It invites us to consider what truly endures beyond temporary achievements.

When we seek advantage, we might look for immediate gains, but Scripture encourages a deeper perspective. True value is found in wisdom and knowledge that preserve life, rather than just accumulating wealth or status. This word reminds us to evaluate our pursuits against eternal standards.

By focusing on what offers genuine preservation and insight, we find peace in our work. The search for advantage becomes less about competition and more about finding meaning in how we use our gifts to benefit others and honor God.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.

profit1×
like/ [the] advantage of1×
and/ [the] advantage of1×
and/ [is] advantage1×
[was] profit1×
[is] profit1×
[is] advantage1×
[is] [the] profit of1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

כִּֽ/יתְר֥וֹן1×
יִּתְרוֹן֙1×
יִּתְר֖וֹן1×
יִתְר֛וֹן1×
יִתְר֖וֹן1×
יִתְר֔וֹן1×
וְ/יִתְר֥וֹן1×
וְ/יִתְר֣וֹן1×

Key Verses

Ecclesiastes 1:3
What does man gain from all his labor in which he labors under the sun?

This verse uses the concept of profit to question whether human labor yields any lasting advantage under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 2:11
Then I looked at all the works that my hands had worked, and at the labor that I had labored to do; and behold, all was vanity and a chasing after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.

Here the text concludes that despite great effort, there was no enduring advantage or profit in worldly achievements.
Ecclesiastes 7:12
For wisdom is a defense, even as money is a defense; but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.

This passage highlights that the specific advantage of wisdom is its ability to preserve the life of those who possess it.
Ecclesiastes 10:11
If the snake bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer’s tongue.

The verse illustrates that skill prevents loss, implying that the absence of preparation results in no practical advantage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Hebrew word yitron mean?

Yitron translates to advantage, profit, or benefit. It refers to something gained that provides a lasting value or preservation, often discussed in the context of human labor and wisdom.

How is yitron different from other words for gain?

While other terms might refer to general profit, yitron often emphasizes a comparative advantage or something that remains after costs are subtracted. It suggests a net benefit that endures.

Where does this word appear in the Bible?

It appears seven times in Ecclesiastes, primarily in chapters 1, 2, 3, 7, and 10. These verses explore whether human efforts yield any real advantage under the sun.

Every Occurrence (7 verses across 1 books)

Ecclesiastes 7 verses

Ecclesiastes 1:3

What does man gain from all his labor in which he labors under the sun?

Ecclesiastes 2:11

Then I looked at all the works that my hands had worked, and at the labor that I had labored to do; and behold, all was…

Ecclesiastes 2:13

Then I saw that wisdom excels folly, as far as light excels darkness.

Ecclesiastes 3:9

What profit has he who works in that in which he labors?

Ecclesiastes 7:12

For wisdom is a defense, even as money is a defense; but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life…

Ecclesiastes 10:10

If the ax is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.

Ecclesiastes 10:11

If the snake bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer’s tongue.