יָשָׁר
ya.shar
upright
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
Supported# Yāšār (יָשָׁר): The Hebrew Concept of Uprightness The Hebrew word *yāšār* appears 113 times throughout the Bible and carries the fundamental meaning of "upright." This term operates across both physical and moral registers. In its literal sense, it describes things that are straight or direct—the opposite of bent or crooked. The word's repeated use across such a large corpus suggests it held central importance in biblical thought and communication. Beyond mere physical straightness, *yāšār* extends into the realm of conduct and character. When applied to people or their actions, the concept encompasses moral rectitude and proper behavior. This dual application—physical straightness and moral uprightness—reveals how ancient Hebrew thought linked concrete, observable qualities to abstract ethical standards. The frequent occurrence of this word throughout the biblical text indicates that the notion of being "upright" was a recurring concern across different genres and time periods of biblical literature. The prevalence of *yāšār* in 113 biblical passages underscores its significance as a foundational value in ancient Hebrew culture. Whether describing a literal straight path or a person's ethical character, the word conveyed an ideal of alignment and integrity that was evidently important enough to maintain consistent usage throughout the biblical tradition.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
113 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
He walked in the way of Asa his father, and didn’t turn away from it, doing that which was right in Yahweh’s eyes.
2 Chronicles 24:2Joash did that which was right in Yahweh’s eyes all the days of Jehoiada the priest.
2 Chronicles 25:2He did that which was right in Yahweh’s eyes, but not with a perfect heart.
2 Chronicles 26:4He did that which was right in Yahweh’s eyes, according to all that his father Amaziah had done.
2 Chronicles 27:2He did that which was right in Yahweh’s eyes, according to all that his father Uzziah had done. However he didn’t enter into Yahweh’s temple. The people still acted corruptly.
2 Chronicles 28:1Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. He didn’t do that which was right in Yahweh’s eyes, like David his father,
2 Chronicles 29:2He did that which was right in Yahweh’s eyes, according to all that David his father had done.
2 Chronicles 29:34But the priests were too few, so that they could not skin all the burnt offerings. Therefore their brothers the Levites helped them, until the work was ended, and until the priests had sanctified themselves; for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.
2 Chronicles 31:20Hezekiah did so throughout all Judah; and he did that which was good, right, and faithful before Yahweh his God.
2 Chronicles 34:2He did that which was right in Yahweh’s eyes, and walked in the ways of David his father, and didn’t turn away to the right hand or to the left.
Nehemiah 9:13“You also came down on Mount Sinai, and spoke with them from heaven, and gave them right ordinances and true laws, good statutes and commandments,
Job 1:1There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job. That man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God, and turned away from evil.
Job 1:8Yahweh said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant, Job? For there is no one like him in the earth, a blameless and an upright man, one who fears God, and turns away from evil.”
Job 2:3Yahweh said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? For there is no one like him in the earth, a blameless and an upright man, one who fears God, and turns away from evil. He still maintains his integrity, although you incited me against him, to ruin him without cause.”
Job 4:7“Remember, now, whoever perished, being innocent? Or where were the upright cut off?
Job 8:6If you were pure and upright, surely now he would awaken for you, and make the habitation of your righteousness prosperous.
Job 17:8Upright men will be astonished at this. The innocent will stir himself up against the godless.
Job 23:7There the upright might reason with him, so I should be delivered forever from my judge.
Job 33:27He sings before men, and says, ‘I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it didn’t profit me.
Psalms 7:10My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart.
Psalms 11:2For, behold, the wicked bend their bows. They set their arrows on the strings, that they may shoot in darkness at the upright in heart.
Psalms 11:7For Yahweh is righteous. He loves righteousness. The upright shall see his face.
Psalms 19:8Yahweh’s precepts are right, rejoicing the heart. Yahweh’s commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Psalms 92:15to show that Yahweh is upright. He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
Psalms 25:8Good and upright is Yahweh, therefore he will instruct sinners in the way.
Psalms 32:11Be glad in Yahweh, and rejoice, you righteous! Shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart!
Psalms 33:1Rejoice in Yahweh, you righteous! Praise is fitting for the upright.
Psalms 33:4For Yahweh’s word is right. All his work is done in faithfulness.
Psalms 36:10Oh continue your loving kindness to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.
Psalms 37:14The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, to kill those who are upright on the path.
Psalms 37:37Mark the perfect man, and see the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace.
Psalms 49:14They are appointed as a flock for Sheol. Death shall be their shepherd. The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning. Their beauty shall decay in Sheol, far from their mansion.
Psalms 64:10The righteous shall be glad in Yahweh, and shall take refuge in him. All the upright in heart shall praise him!
Psalms 94:15For judgment will return to righteousness. All the upright in heart shall follow it.
Psalms 97:11Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
Psalms 107:7he led them also by a straight way, that they might go to a city to live in.
Psalms 107:42The upright will see it, and be glad. All the wicked will shut their mouths.
Psalms 111:1Praise Yah! I will give thanks to Yahweh with my whole heart, in the council of the upright, and in the congregation.
Psalms 111:8They are established forever and ever. They are done in truth and uprightness.
Psalms 112:2His offspring will be mighty in the land. The generation of the upright will be blessed.
Psalms 112:4Light dawns in the darkness for the upright, gracious, merciful, and righteous.
Psalms 119:137You are righteous, Yahweh. Your judgments are upright.
Psalms 125:4Do good, Yahweh, to those who are good, to those who are upright in their hearts.
Psalms 140:13Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name. The upright will dwell in your presence.
Proverbs 2:7He lays up sound wisdom for the upright. He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
Proverbs 2:21For the upright will dwell in the land. The perfect will remain in it.
Proverbs 3:32For the perverse is an abomination to Yahweh, but his friendship is with the upright.
Proverbs 8:9They are all plain to him who understands, right to those who find knowledge.
Proverbs 11:3The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.
Proverbs 11:6The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them, but the unfaithful will be trapped by evil desires.