יָרַע
𐤉𐤓𐤏
yâraʻ
H3415 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To be dismayed or broken with fear; to experience deep dread, often in response to catastrophic events or impending disaster. Used specifically to denote a psychological state of collapse or terror faced with overwhelming misfortune.
Semantic Range
to be shattered (mentally), to be deeply afraid, to collapse with fear, to be distressed, to be undone (emotionally)
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root ירע, likely connected to the idea of being shattered or broken in spirit (see root רעע). The form functions in the Nifal stem (passive/reflexive), expressing states of emotional breakdown or fear. Closely related to the root רעע ('to be bad, to break'), though ירע forms are distinguished by context and nuance.
Historical & Contextual Notes
יָרַע occurs with very limited attestation in the Hebrew Bible, most notably in Isaiah 15:4 in the description of Moabite distress and terror at impending destruction. The term is distinct from the far more common רָעַע, which broadly covers 'to be evil/bad' or 'to break.' Here, יָרַע expresses the internal collapse or panic under threat rather than simple moral or physical brokenness. Standard English translations such as 'fear,' 'faint,' or 'break down' attempt to convey the catastrophic emotional reaction but may miss the nuance of shattering or emotional ruination. Later periods and Jewish exegesis sometimes re-read the root with associations from רעע, but the biblical attestation remains quite narrow and context-specific.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; properly, to be broken up (with any violent action) i.e. (figuratively) to fear; be grevious (only Isaiah 15:4; the rest belong to רָעַע).
Bantu Hebrew
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ירע (y-r-ʿ) — to be shattered, to be broken, to collapse emotionally
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3415-02 |
יֵרַ֣ע | yera | HVqi3ms |
is evil | let him be shattered with fear | 3 |
H3415-01 |
יָ֥רְעָה | yareah | HVqp3fs |
trembles | she shattered in dread | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3415-02 |
1 Samuel 1:8 | יֵרַ֣ע | yera | HVqi3ms |
is evil | let him be shattered with fear |
H3415-02 |
2 Samuel 20:6 | יֵ֧רַֽע | yera | HVqi3ms |
will do harm | let him be shattered with fear |
H3415-01 |
Isaiah 15:4 | יָ֥רְעָה | yareah | HVqp3fs |
trembles | she shattered in dread |
H3415-02 |
Job 20:26 | יֵ֖רַע | yera | HVqi3ms |
will go ill | let him be shattered with fear |