ya.al denotes bringing benefit or gain, frequently in clauses denying that objects, plans, or actions can help.

The verb most often marks whether something brings benefit or gain, especially where idols, deceptive words, wealth, or human actions fail to do so; it can also describe profit sought or received, including the instruction in Isaiah 48:17.

1. Bring benefit, help, or gain · dominant

   The Hiphil forms occur chiefly in denials of benefit: in 1 Samuel 12:21 the APB renders vain things as unable to “profit” or deliver, and in Isaiah 44:9 it says the makers’ desirable things “will not profit.” The same use appears where deceptive words cannot profit in Jeremiah 7:8, wealth profits nothing in Proverbs 11:4, and the LORD is described as teaching his people to profit in Isaiah 48:17; Job 21:15 frames the matter as a question of gain from entreating the Almighty.

   1 Samuel 12:21Isaiah 44:9Jeremiah 7:8Proverbs 11:4Isaiah 48:17Job 21:15

In the Anselm Project Bible: Across the verses, the APB commonly uses “profit,” while also using “gain” and “useful” in some clauses. Because the APB is a whole-verse translation, these terms indicate the clauses’ overall presentation rather than fixed English equivalents.