יָעַץ

From the study of Isaiah 1:26

Range of meaning

From ya'ats, 'to advise, counsel, plan.' Yo'ets is a technical term for a royal or civic adviser who shapes policy. Counsel ('etsah) in Isaiah is also God's own plan, set against human schemes.

Against the English

'Counselor' can suggest a therapist or school counselor today. Here it means a statesman or policy adviser at court.

How it drifted

Modern 'counselor' has largely shifted to the therapeutic sense.

Used elsewhere in the period

Ahithophel, David's counselor, whose advice was 'as if one consulted the word of God' (2 Sam 16:23). Isa 3:3 lists the 'counselor' among the leaders God will remove. Isa 9:6 calls the coming ruler 'Wonderful Counselor.' Isa 19:11 mocks Pharaoh's 'wise counselors.'

From the study of Isaiah 14:27

Range of meaning

To give counsel, take counsel, deliberate. From there: to decide on a course of action, to plan or resolve. The noun 'etsah is advice, a plan, a policy or strategy. It is the vocabulary of the royal council chamber, where kings and their advisers (yo'atsim, 'counsellors') settle on policy, especially war policy.

Against the English

KJV, BSB, ESV and NIV have 'purposed'; WEB and NASB have 'planned'. Both are fair. 'Purposed' can sound like a vague inner intention. The Hebrew points to a decision reached and announced, like a royal decree after a council of war.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used for political strategy in 2 Samuel 15–17 (Ahithophel's counsel against David). Isaiah builds a whole theme on it. Aram and Ephraim 'have planned evil' against Judah, but 'it shall not stand' (Isaiah 7:5–7). 'Take counsel together, but it will be frustrated' (8:10). The Assyrian king plans destruction 'in his heart' (10:7). God's coming king is 'Wonderful Counsellor' (9:6). In contrast, 'My counsel shall stand' (46:10). Psalm 33:10–11 states the same contrast: the LORD frustrates the counsel of the nations, but his own counsel stands forever.

From the study of Isaiah 32:8

Range of meaning

To advise, counsel, deliberate, plan, decide on a course. It is the vocabulary of court policy: the yo'etz is a royal counselor, and the coming king is "Wonderful Counselor" (pele yo'etz, Isa 9:6 [9:5 Heb]). God's own plan is 'etsah (Isa 14:24–27; 46:10).

Against the English

"Deviseth/devises" (KJV, WEB), "plans" (ESV, NIV, BSB), "counselled" (YLT). All are acceptable. "Plans" can sound private and personal, when the word often refers to public policy.

Used elsewhere in the period

Isaiah repeatedly contrasts human 'etsah with God's (29:15; 30:1, "who make a plan, but not mine"). The surrounding chapters (30–31) attack Judah's leaders for planning an alliance with Egypt.