Lexical Definition

‎יָאַל‎ yâʼal (yaw-al') be willing ^H:V
a primitive root (probably rather the same as ‎יָאַל‎ through the idea of mental weakness)

assay, begin, be content, please, take upon, [idiom] willingly, would.

• properly, to yield, especially assent
• hence (pos.) to undertake as an act of volition

1) to begin, make a beginning, show willingness, undertake to do, be pleased, be determined
1a) (Hiphil)
1a1) to agree to, show willingness, acquiesce, accept an invitation, be willing
1a2) to undertake
1a3) to resolve, be pleased, be determined

See Greek: ἄγω · ἄρχω · ἔχω · καταμένω · κοπιάω · ὄφελος · ποιέω · ὠφέλεια · ὠφελέω

Brown-Driver-Briggs

II. [‎יָאַל‎] verb only Hiph`il shew willingness, be pleased, determine, undertake to do anything (and do it) (see Ki Thes; Arabic is take refuge with, escape, hasten to a place; compare II. ‎אול‎ be in front of, Nö^{MBAK 1880. 775}; Sabean ‎ואל‎ in proper name ‎מואלת‎ DHM^{Epigr. Denkm. 53}; perhaps As âlû, accept, Lyon^{Sargontexte 72}) —

Hiph`il Perfect 3 masculine singular ‎הוֺאִיל‎ Hos 5:11 + 2 t.; 2 masculine singular ‎הוֺאַלְתָּ‎ 1Chr 17:27 1 singular ‎הוֺאַלְתִּי‎ Gen 18:27; Gen 18:31 1 plural ‎הוֺאַלְנוּ‎ Josh 7:7 Imperfect ‎וְיֹאֵל‎ Job 6:9 (jussive); ‎וַיּ֫וֺאֶל‎ Exod 2:21 + 4 t.; ‎וַיֹאֶל‎ 1Sam 17:39 (but see below); Imperative ‎הוֺאֵל‎ 2Sam 7:29; 2Kgs 5:23 ‎הוֺאֶלנָֿא‎ Judg 19:6 ‎ה֫וֺאֶל נָא‎ 2Kgs 6:3 ‎הוֺאִ֫ילוּ‎ Job 6:28 —

1. shew willingness to do anything, accept an invitation, acquiesce, followed by infinitive ‎וַי֫וֺאֶל משֶׁה לָשֶׁבֶת אֶתהָֿאִישׁ‎ Exod 2:21 (JE) and Moses was willing to dwell with the man (and did so), = Judg 17:11 (of Levite); elsewhere following by finite verb; ‎וְלוּ הוֺאַלְנוּ וַנֵּשֶׁב‎ Josh 7:7 and would that we had been willing and had stayed; especially imperative, followed by imperative: ‎הוֺאֶלנָֿא וְלִין‎ Judg 19:6 be willing and spend the night (kindly accept my invitation) see Ges^{«GKC:110»§ 110}. 2 a, R 2; 120. 2 a, 2Kgs 6:3 and (no ‎וְ‎) 2Kgs 5:23 ‎הוֺאִילוּ פְֿנוּבִֿי‎ Job 6:28 i.e. be good enough to look upon me.

2. more actively, voluntarily undertake to do anything (and do it), followed by infinitive: Gen 18:27 I have undertaken to speak = vGen 18:31 (both J); so 1Sam 17:39 ᵑ0, but read ‎וַ֫יֵּלֶא‎, and he laboured vainly, for ‎וַיֹאֶל‎, so ᵐ5, Gei^{Urschrift, 377} We Dr (compare also v^b ‎לֹא אוּכַל לָלֶכֶת בָּאֵלֶּה‎); followed by finite verb ‎הוֺאִיל משֶׁה בֵּאֵר‎ Deut 1:5 i.e. Moses took upon himself to expound the law.

3. more actively still, be pleased, determine on one's own responsibility, resolve, followed by infinitive: Josh 17:12 (JE) = Judg 1:27 but the Canaanites were determined (shewed a determination) to remain in this territory (= persisted in dwelling there); Judg 1:35 the Amorites persisted in dwelling in Har-Heres, etc.; followed by finite verb, of irreligious action, ‎הואיל הָלַךְ‎ Hos 5:11 Ephraim persisted, he walked after vanity (read ‎שׁוא‎ for ‎צו‎, see Che); elsewhere only of the divine good pleasure: followed by infinitive 1Sam 12:22 ‎׳‎‎י‎ hath been pleased to make you a people for himself; 1Chr 17:27 followed by finite verb ‎הוֺאֵל וּבָרֵךְ‎ 2Sam 7:29 be pleased and bless the house of thy servant; ‎וְיֹאֵל אֱלוֺהַּ‎ ‎וִידַכְּאֵנִי‎ Job 6:9 and that Eloah would be pleased and crush me! (see Ges^{«GKC:120»§ 120}, 2 a Da^{Synt. § 83 b}).

Brown-Driver-Briggs References