Original Word: יַעַן
Part of Speech: preposition and conjunction; substantive; preposition; conjunction; preposition; conjunction
Transliteration: ya`an
Pronunciation: yah-an
Phonetic Spelling: (yah'-an)
Definition: Because, on account of, for the sake of
Meaning: heed, purpose, to indicate the reason, cause

Word Origin: Derived from a root word meaning "to pay attention" or "to heed."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Greek equivalent often used in the Septuagint for "yaan" is "διότι" (dioti), which also means "because" or "for this reason."

Usage: The Hebrew word "yaan" is primarily used as a conjunction to indicate causation or reason. It is often translated as "because" or "on account of" in English. This word is used to explain the reason behind an action, decision, or divine judgment. It serves to connect a cause with its effect, often in the context of God's response to human actions.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Hebrew culture, understanding the reasons behind actions was crucial, especially in the context of divine-human relationships. The use of "yaan" reflects a worldview where actions have consequences, and understanding these connections was essential for maintaining covenantal faithfulness. The Israelites were often reminded of the reasons for God's blessings or judgments, emphasizing the importance of obedience and the consequences of disobedience.

Word Origin
from anah
Definition
on account of, because
NASB Translation
because (54), because* (35), definitely because (1), inasmuch* (2), reason (1), since (1), so* (1), why* (1).

I. יַ֫עַן preposition and conjunction see below I. ענה.

יַעַן₉₆ properly substantive, purpose, intention, but always used as

preposition or

conjunction, on account of, because (for יַעֲנֶה, of the form יִצְהָר etc., Sta^{§ 259} Kö^{ii. 403}; compare mean, intend): — 1 as

preposition, rarely with a substantive, Ezekiel 5:9 יַעַן תּוֺעֲבוֺתֵיכֶם, Haggai 1:9 יַעַן מָה, Haggai 1:9 יַעַן בֵּיתִי; with a participle Ezekiel 36:13 יען אמרים because of men saying to you (but read probablyאָמְרָם, Co Toy Berthol); frequently with infinitive with, 1 Kings 21:20 יַעַן הִתְמַכֶּרְךָ on account of thy having sold thyself, Amos 5:11; Isaiah 30:12; Isaiah 37:29 (= 2 Kings 19:28) יַעֵן הִתְרַגֶּזְךָ אֵלַי, Jeremiah 5:14; Jeremiah 7:13; Jeremiah 23:38; Jeremiah 48:7, and often. (c. 18 t.) in Ezek., as Jeremiah 5:7 (read יַעַן הַמְ˜רֹתְכֶם), Jeremiah 13:8,22; Jeremiah 25:3,6,8,12.

2 As

conjunction:

a. יַעַן אֲשֶׁר (32 t.), usually with perfect, as Genesis 22:16 יען אשׁר עשׂית זאת because that thou hast done this, Deuteronomy 1:36 (Joshua 14:14), Judges 2:20; 1 Samuel 30:22; 1 Kings 3:11; 1 Kings 8:18; Jeremiah 19:4; Jeremiah 25:8; Jeremiah 29:23 (not Isaiah) +; with imperfect (in frequent. sense) Ezekiel 44:12.

b. יַען כִּי, Numbers 11:20 ׳יַעַן כִּי מְאַסְתֶּם אֶתיֿ, 1 Kings 13:21; 1 Kings 21:29; Isaiah 3:16; Isaiah 7:5; Isaiah 8:6; Isaiah 29:13.

c. יַעַן alone (23 t.), with perfect Numbers 20:12 יַעַן לֹא הֶאֱמַנְתֶּם בִּי, 1 Samuel 15:23; 1 Kings 14:13; 1 Kings 20:42; 2 Kings 22:19; Hosea 8:1; Isaiah 61:1; Isaiah 65:12; Isaiah 66:4; with imperfect (frequently) Ezekiel 34:21; of the future Ezekiel 12:12 because he shall not see, etc., (but ᵐ5 Co Kau Berthol לְמַעַן אשׁר לא יֵרָאֶה לָעַיִן): usually the verb follows immediately, but Ezek. sometimes puts the object first for emphasis, Ezekiel 5:11 יַעַן אֶתמִֿקְדָּשִׁי טִמֵּאתָ, Ezekiel 20:16,24; Ezekiel 36:6, compare Ezekiel 34:21.

3 יַעַן וּבְיַעַן, q.d. because and by the cause (that), followed by perhaps, Leviticus 26:43 (H) יען וביען בְּמִשְׁמָּטַי מָאָ֔סוּ, Ezekiel 13:10; יַעַן בְּיַעַז followed by infinitive, Ezekiel 36:3. (In all, reckoning יען (ו)ביען once each, 93 t., of which 20 are in 1-2 Kings, 11 in Jeremiah, 38 in Ezekiel; and only 9 in Genesis—2Samuel.)

because that, forasmuch as, seeing then, that, whereas, why

From an unused root meaning to pay attention; properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause -- because (that), forasmuch (+ as), seeing then, + that, + wheras, + why.

בְּיַ֡עַן ביען וּבְיַ֔עַן וּבְיַ֜עַן וביען יַ֕עַן יַ֖עַן יַ֗עַן יַ֚עַן יַ֛עַן יַ֜עַן יַ֠עַן יַ֡עַן יַ֣עַן יַ֣עַן ׀ יַ֤עַן יַ֥עַן יַ֧עַן יַעַן֩ יען bə·ya·‘an bəya‘an beYaan ū·ḇə·ya·‘an ūḇəya‘an uveYaan ya‘an ya·‘an YaanInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts