יַעַן

From the study of Isaiah 3:16

Range of meaning

'Because, on account of the fact that.' In the Prophets it typically introduces the accusation in a judgment oracle, followed by a 'therefore' or a verb announcing the penalty (Isa 8:6–7; 29:13–14; 30:12–13).

Against the English

English 'because' is accurate. The formal, courtroom tone of the doubled conjunction is easy to miss.

Used elsewhere in the period

A standard pattern in prophetic judgment speeches (compare Isa 29:13–14: 'Because this people draw near… therefore'). In verse 17 the sentence follows with a 'then he will' verb form.

From the study of Genesis 22:16

Range of meaning

"Because, on account of the fact that". It gives the ground or occasion of an action, often in speeches of reward or judgment (e.g. 1 Kgs 11:11; Ezek 5:11 "because…therefore").

Against the English

English "because" is correct. KJV's "for because" faithfully reproduces the stacked Hebrew (ki yaʿan ʾasher), which sounds clumsy to modern ears but shows how heavy the formal language is.

Used elsewhere in the period

The same oath-speech is closed in v.18 with a different causal phrase, ʿeqev ʾasher ("because / as a consequence that you listened to my voice"). Genesis 26:5 later repeats: "because (ʿeqev ʾasher) Abraham listened to my voice and kept my charge."

From the study of Ezekiel 25:8

Range of meaning

A conjunction or preposition meaning "because, on account of," often in the full form yaʿan ʾasher ("because that") or, as here, followed by a verbal noun ("because of the saying of…"). It typically introduces the grounds for a judgment.

Against the English

All the major versions render it "because." KJV's "because that" and YLT's "because of the saying of" keep more of the Hebrew structure, in which the verb "say" is used as a noun.

Used elsewhere in the period

Ezekiel's oracles against the nations follow a fixed pattern: yaʿan ("because") + the offense, then lakhen ("therefore") + the punishment, ending in the recognition formula "and they will know that I am YHWH." Ezek 25:3, 6, 8, 12, 15 and 26:2 all open this way. The pattern resembles a court verdict: charge, then sentence.