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Someone sent this to me this morning:

The Hebrew word for "give thanks" in the Old Testament is "Yadah" and it literally means "to acknowledge God in the middle of the mess."
It doesn't mean "feel grateful."
It doesn't mean "wait until things get better." It means "God, I see You present even in this."
In Jewish worship, yadah wasn't used for victory it was often used in seasons of fear, uncertainty, and waiting.
Thanksgiving wasn't a celebration of how well life was going. It was an act of surrender when life didn't make sense.
And that truth reframes everything we think about gratitude.
Here are several ways I'm practicing yadâ (thanksgiving) in my own life this week
1. Gratitude isn't something you wait to feel; it's something you choose to practice. 1
Thessalonians 5:18
2. Today's pain makes more sense when you remember tomorrow's promise. Romans 8:18
3. Complaining is often our heart's way of saying,
'God, I don't trust what You're doing right now.' Philippians 2:14
4. If Jesus trusted His Father in the worst moment, I can trust Him in mine. 1 Peter 2:23
5. When I think I deserve better, gratitude disappears. But When I remember grace, it returns." Luke 13:2-3

1.Thanksgiving isn't JUST about being grateful,
2. Today's pain makes more sense when you remember tomorrow's promise. Romans 8:18
3. Complaining is often our heart's way of saying,
'God, I don't trust what You're doing right now.' Philippians 2:14
4. If Jesus trusted His Father in the worst moment, I can trust Him in mine. 1 Peter 2:23
5. When I think I deserve better, gratitude disappears. But When I remember grace, it returns." Luke 13:2-3
6. If you can't lose Christ, then you can't lose your reason to give thanks. Romans 8:35-39
Thanksgiving isn't just about being grateful for what you can see. It's learning to trust God with what you can't see.
Yadâ is gratitude in uncertainty.
Gratitude in fear.
Gratitude in waiting.
Gratitude in confusion.
Gratitude in the "not yet." Gratitude in "even this"
It's saying, "God, I thank You now because You already know what I don't."
So wherever you find yourself right now if the diagnosis hasn't come back, if the finances don't make sense, if the relationship is unresolved, if the future feels uncertain. you can still yadâh.
Because biblical thankfulness isn't built on what you have. It's built on the God who holds what you don't understand.

And you can trust Him "even in this".

Quote from: Jaime on Thu Nov 27, 2025 - 08:30:11Someone sent this to me this morning:

The Hebrew word for "give thanks" in the Old Testament is "Yadah" and it literally means "to acknowledge God in the middle of the mess."
It doesn't mean "feel grateful."
It doesn't mean "wait until things get better." It means "God, I see You present even in this."
In Jewish worship, yadah wasn't used for victory it was often used in seasons of fear, uncertainty, and waiting.
Thanksgiving wasn't a celebration of how well life was going. It was an act of surrender when life didn't make sense.
And that truth reframes everything we think about gratitude.
Here are several ways I'm practicing yadâ (thanksgiving) in my own life this week
1. Gratitude isn't something you wait to feel; it's something you choose to practice. 1
Thessalonians 5:18
2. Today's pain makes more sense when you remember tomorrow's promise. Romans 8:18
3. Complaining is often our heart's way of saying,
'God, I don't trust what You're doing right now.' Philippians 2:14
4. If Jesus trusted His Father in the worst moment, I can trust Him in mine. 1 Peter 2:23
5. When I think I deserve better, gratitude disappears. But When I remember grace, it returns." Luke 13:2-3

1.Thanksgiving isn't JUST about being grateful,
2. Today's pain makes more sense when you remember tomorrow's promise. Romans 8:18
3. Complaining is often our heart's way of saying,
'God, I don't trust what You're doing right now.' Philippians 2:14
4. If Jesus trusted His Father in the worst moment, I can trust Him in mine. 1 Peter 2:23
5. When I think I deserve better, gratitude disappears. But When I remember grace, it returns." Luke 13:2-3
6. If you can't lose Christ, then you can't lose your reason to give thanks. Romans 8:35-39
Thanksgiving isn't just about being grateful for what you can see. It's learning to trust God with what you can't see.
Yadâ is gratitude in uncertainty.
Gratitude in fear.
Gratitude in waiting.
Gratitude in confusion.
Gratitude in the "not yet." Gratitude in "even this"
It's saying, "God, I thank You now because You already know what I don't."
So wherever you find yourself right now if the diagnosis hasn't come back, if the finances don't make sense, if the relationship is unresolved, if the future feels uncertain. you can still yadâh.
Because biblical thankfulness isn't built on what you have. It's built on the God who holds what you don't understand.

And you can trust Him "even in this".

 

Actually the word yadah is from the word yad which means HAND.  It is also the word for "knew" in Genesis 4.1. 

It is all about knowing something "by hand."  You have a good grasp of it.  When  it is used for thankfulness it means you are grateful for something you know well.

Quote from: DaveW on Fri Nov 28, 2025 - 08:48:27Actually the word yadah is from the word yad which means HAND.  It is also the word for "knew" in Genesis 4.1. 

It is all about knowing something "by hand."  You have a good grasp of it.  When  it is used for thankfulness it means you are grateful for something you know well.

The article reminded me of the story of Job, "praising God even in this", contrary to his friends and wife even in horrible circumstances. It's easy to be grateful and full of praise when things go well.

Quote from: DaveW on Fri Nov 28, 2025 - 08:48:27Actually the word yadah is from the word yad which means HAND.  It is also the word for "knew" in Genesis 4.1. 

It is all about knowing something

It means know... experientially... across multiple verses...

In Psalms 136:1 and a lot of other places yadah means give thanks. In Genesis 4:1 it means sexual relations. A very diverse word apparently! 

Maybe that's why it was a catch all word on the Seinfeld show. Wasn't George, Elaine and Jerry all Jewish? Oy vey

As to the original post, its use as "giving thanks" (even in the midst of life's challenges was the point.) in the Thanksgiving season.

Quote from: Jaime on Mon Dec 01, 2025 - 06:23:40In Psalms 136:1 and a lot of other places yadah means give thanks. In Genesis 4:1 it means sexual relations. A very diverse word apparently! 

Maybe that's whynit was a catch all word on the Seinfeld show. Wasn't George, Elaine and Jerry all Jewish? Oy vey

Ummmm not exactly the same word.

I am notorious for using yada yada in place of etc. etc.

Ai even seems confused....

Search Assist Ai (seems reasonable)

"Yada yada" is a colloquial phrase often used to skip over details in a conversation, popularized by the TV show "Seinfeld." In contrast, "yadah" is a Hebrew word meaning to give thanks or praise, often used in a religious context to express gratitude towards God

Duck Ai  (Duck does not know, obvious)

Comparison of "Yada Yada" vs "Yadah"
The terms "yada yada" and "yadah" are often used in conversational English, particularly in informal contexts. However, they can have slightly different connotations and usages.

Term    Meaning & Usage    Origin & Context    Popularity
Yada Yada    Used to dismiss something that is boring or repetitive; similar to saying "blah blah blah."    Popularized in the 1990s through pop culture (notably Seinfeld).    Very common in casual conversation.
Yadah    Sometimes used interchangeably with "yada yada," though it can also refer to detailed or boring talk.    Originates from Hebrew; often used in religious contexts.    Less common; more niche usage.
Yada Yada
Meaning: This phrase is frequently employed to skip over tedious details in a narrative or conversation.
Example: "We went to the party, had some food, yada yada, and decided to leave early."
Yadah
Meaning: While it can serve a similar purpose, "yadah" might suggest that the speaker is either repeating something in a tedious manner or providing excessive detail.
Example: "He went on and on about his day—yadah, yadah, yadah."
Both terms highlight a dismissive attitude toward what is being discussed, but "yada yada" is more commonly recognized and used in everyday speech. Would you like to explore more about their origins or usage in different contexts?

Later I'll check what Grok and Chat GPT say.

Per the Blue Letter Bible App, the Strong's word #3034 in Psalms 136:1 is actually yada in English and not Yadah.

הוֹדוּ
יָדָה
yāḏâ
h3034   Give thanks   Pronounce Hebrew root for H3034 יָדָה
לַיהוָה
יְהֹוָה
yᵊhōvâ
h3068   to the LORD,   Pronounce Hebrew root for H3068 יְהֹוָה
כִּי־
כִּי
kî
h3588   for   Pronounce Hebrew root for H3588 כִּי
    
 
He is   
טוֹב
טוֹב
ṭôḇ
h2896   good,   Pronounce Hebrew root for H2896 טוֹב
כִּי
כִּי
kî
h3588   For   Pronounce Hebrew root for H3588 כִּי
    
 
is   
לְעוֹלָם
עוֹלָם
ʿôlām
h5769   everlasting.   Pronounce Hebrew root for H5769 עוֹלָם
חַסְדּוֹ
חֶסֶד
ḥeseḏ
h2617   His lovingkindnes

Transliteration: yāḏâ
Pronunciation: yaw-daw'
Part of Speech: verb
Root Word (Etymology): A primitive root; used only as denominative from יָד (H3027)
TWOT Reference: 847
Outline of Biblical Usage:
to throw, shoot, cast
(Qal) to shoot (arrows)
(Piel) to cast, cast down, throw down
(Hiphil)
to give thanks,, laud, praise
to confess, confess (the name of God)
(Hithpael)
to confess (sin)
to give thanks

Quote from: Jaime on Mon Dec 01, 2025 - 08:37:59Per the Blue Letter Bible App, the Strong's word #3034 in Psalms 136:1 is actually yada in English and not Yadah.

הוֹדוּ
יָדָה
yāḏâ
h3034    Give thanks    Pronounce Hebrew root for H3034 יָדָה
לַיהוָה
יְהֹוָה
yᵊhōvâ
h3068    to the LORD,    Pronounce Hebrew root for H3068 יְהֹוָה
כִּי־
כִּי
kî
h3588    for    Pronounce Hebrew root for H3588 כִּי
   
 
He is   
טוֹב
טוֹב
ṭôḇ
h2896    good,    Pronounce Hebrew root for H2896 טוֹב
כִּי
כִּי
kî
h3588    For    Pronounce Hebrew root for H3588 כִּי
   
 
is   
לְעוֹלָם
עוֹלָם
ʿôlām
h5769    everlasting.    Pronounce Hebrew root for H5769 עוֹלָם
חַסְדּוֹ
חֶסֶד
ḥeseḏ
h2617    His lovingkindnes

Transliteration: yāḏâ
Pronunciation: yaw-daw'
Part of Speech: verb
Root Word (Etymology): A primitive root; used only as denominative from יָד (H3027)
TWOT Reference: 847
Outline of Biblical Usage:
to throw, shoot, cast
(Qal) to shoot (arrows)
(Piel) to cast, cast down, throw down
(Hiphil)
to give thanks,, laud, praise
to confess, confess (the name of God)
(Hithpael)
to confess (sin)
to give thanks

Well, I best stop using it... and every time I hear that in Seinfeld or occasionally in Golden Girls I'll wonder why now.

Well maybe saying yada, yada, yada means you are triple thankful! 🤤

Quote from: Jaime on Tue Dec 02, 2025 - 07:19:57Well maybe saying yada, yada, yada means you are triple thankful! 🤤