יָסַר yâçar — to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively (with words)
Translated in the KJV as bind, chasten, chastise, correct, instruct, punish, reform, reprove, sore, teach.
a primitive root; to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively (with words); hence, to instruct.
yâçar in each stem
Pi'el
Perfect (qatal) 11Imperfect (yiqtol) 7Sequential perfect (weqatal) 6Imperative 3Infinitive construct 2Participle (active) 1Infinitive absolute 1
And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins.
Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins.
Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice, that he might instruct thee: and upon earth he shewed thee his great fire; and thou heardest his words out of the midst of the fire.
Niph'al
Imperfect (yiqtol) 2Imperative 2Wayyiqtol 1
And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things, but will walk contrary unto me;
Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.
Qal (Pa'al)
Participle (active) 2Imperfect (yiqtol) 2Infinitive absolute 1
And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was for song: he instructed about the song, because he was skilful.
He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?
He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
Nitpa'el
Sequential perfect (weqatal) 1
Thus will I cause lewdness to cease out of the land, that all women may be taught not to do after your lewdness.
Hiph'il
Imperfect (yiqtol) 1
When they shall go, I will spread my net upon them; I will bring them down as the fowls of the heaven; I will chastise them, as their congregation hath heard.
What the stems mean
A Hebrew verb is its root letters set into a pattern. The pattern — the binyan — is the grammar's way of saying three things at once: whether the action is simple, intensive or causative, and whether its subject is active, passive or reflexive. That is why one Hebrew word can need six English ones. All seven binyanim, explained ›