Hebrew word · H2969
יָאָה
ya'atah
to befit
'To be fitting, becoming, appropriate'. This is its only use in the Hebrew Bible. It is related to the root na'ah, 'to be lovely, fitting' (as in Ps 33:1, 'praise is fitting for the upright'; Ps 93:5).
Appears once in the Hebrew Old Testament. ·
What it means
(Qal) to pertain to, befit, be befitting
Abridged from Brown, Driver and Briggs, A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (1906), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).
In depth
From the study of Jeremiah 10:7
- Range of meaning
'To be fitting, becoming, appropriate'. This is its only use in the Hebrew Bible. It is related to the root na'ah, 'to be lovely, fitting' (as in Ps 33:1, 'praise is fitting for the upright'; Ps 93:5).
- Against the English
The KJV has 'to thee doth it appertain', the YLT 'to Thee it is becoming', and the WEB 'it belongs to you'. The BSB and several modern versions say 'This is your due', which brings out the idea of something owed, like tribute. What exactly 'it' refers to is not stated. Most take it to be the fear just mentioned; some think it is the kingship itself.
- How it drifted
KJV's 'appertain' has fallen out of everyday English. It meant 'belongs to by right', which is accurate.
- Used elsewhere in the period
Because the word occurs only once, its meaning rests on the related root na'ah and on the context. The Septuagint is no help because it lacks the verse. The Vulgate has tuum est enim decus, 'for yours is the honour'.
Where it appears
Jeremiah · 1
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Jeremiah 10:7 יָאָ֑תָה it is befitting
Who would not fear You, O King of nations? This is Your due. For among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like You.
Here: Used impersonally ('it is fitting'). This verb occurs only here in the Hebrew Bible. Fear and reverence are what properly belong to God, the way tribute belongs to a king.
Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.