← H3022 H3024 →

יָגֵעַ

𐤉𐤂𐤏

yâgêaʻ

H3023 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root יגע toil, labor, become weary

Definition

Exhausted or worn out as a result of physical labor, exertion, or hardship; by extension, describing persons, animals, or land as fatigued, weary, or spent. Used both literally, of those physically fatigued by work, and figuratively, of situations or tasks that are arduous or exhausting to endure.

Semantic Range

exhausted from physical labor, physically weary, worn out, laborious or tiresome (of tasks/conditions), drained by hardship, land exhausted or depleted, figuratively burdened or oppressed

Root / Etymology

From the root יגע, which conveys the idea of to toil, labor, or become weary. יָגֵעַ is a qal active participle/adjective, describing one who is experiencing the effects of toil (i.e., tired or exhausted). The participle usage highlights the ongoing or resultant state from the verbal root.

Historical & Contextual Notes

יָגֵעַ appears in various contexts in the Hebrew Scriptures, primarily in the monarchic and exilic periods, to denote those who are physically tired from work (e.g., laborers, servants) or metaphorically drained by hardship or oppression (e.g., in Isaiah and Jeremiah). It is used both for individuals and collectively for groups or even land rendered barren by overuse (e.g., Isaiah 28:12, Jeremiah 31:25). The term is closely related to the verb יָגַע (yaga‘), 'to toil, become weary,' but יָגֵעַ primarily expresses the state of exhaustion rather than the act of toiling. Although English translations often render יָגֵעַ as 'weary,' 'tired,' or 'exhausted,' these may not always capture the socio-economic or existential dimensions present in certain prophetic texts, where the weariness involves spiritual or communal hardship. Distinct from similar terms like עָיֵף (ʻayēf, 'faint, weary [with thirst or hunger]'), יָגֵעַ focuses more on labor- or exertion-related fatigue and its aftermath. In later post-biblical Hebrew, the root’s emphasis on weariness retained its association with hard work rather than illness or age.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from יָגַע; tired; hence (transitive) tiresome; full of labour, weary.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

יגע (y-g-ʿ) — toil, labor, become weary

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3018 יְגִיעַ and from his toil-product
H3019 יָגִיעַ toil-wearied ones of
H3021 יָגַע we have made weary
H3022 יָגָע toil-gain
H3024 יְגִעָה weariness of

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3023-02 יָגֵ֨עַ֙ yagea HAamsa is weary toil-worn 1
H3023-01 וְ/יָגֵ֑עַ veyagea HC/Aamsa and weary and toil-wearied 1
H3023-03 יְגֵעִ֔ים yegeim HAampa toil-wearied ones 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3023-01 Deuteronomy 25:18 וְ/יָגֵ֑עַ veyagea HC/Aamsa and weary and toil-wearied
H3023-02 2 Samuel 17:2 יָגֵ֨עַ֙ yagea HAamsa is weary toil-worn
H3023-03 Ecclesiastes 1:8 יְגֵעִ֔ים yegeim HAampa toil-wearied ones
← H3022 Hebrew Lexicon H3024 →