### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma יָגֵב (yâgêb, `{{H3010}}`) is a noun derived from the verbal root יָגַב (yâgav), which means "to plow" or "to till." Consequently, the core meaning of יָגֵב is "a plowed field." This term specifically refers to land that has undergone the process of cultivation, distinguishing it from unworked ground, pastureland, or wilderness. Its semantic range is narrow, exclusively denoting agricultural land that has been prepared for sowing. It emphasizes the *condition* of the land as having been tilled and made ready for planting.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word יָגֵב (yâgêb) appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both instances within the same chapter of Isaiah, contributing to a rich agricultural metaphor.
* **[[Isaiah 28:24]]**: "Does the plower plow all day to sow? Does he not break up and open his ground?" Here, יָגֵב (yâgêb) is used in parallel with אֲדָמָה (adâmâh, `{{H127}}`), "ground" or "soil." The rhetorical question emphasizes the purposeful nature of plowing: it is not an end in itself, but a necessary preparation for sowing. The "plowed field" is the recipient of this preparatory work.
* **[[Isaiah 28:25]]**: "When he has leveled its surface, does he not scatter dill and sow cumin, and put in wheat in rows and barley in its appointed place, and spelt in its border?" Although יָגֵב is not explicitly repeated here, the context clearly refers to the prepared surface of the plowed field mentioned in the preceding verse. This verse continues the detailed description of a farmer's meticulous work, illustrating the precise and ordered nature of agricultural practices on the יָגֵב.
In both contexts, יָגֵב highlights the concept of purposeful preparation. The prophet Isaiah uses the analogy of farming to illustrate God's wisdom, order, and precise methods in dealing with His people, whether through judgment or restoration. The יָגֵב represents the land made ready to receive the seed, symbolizing a state of receptivity or preparedness under divine orchestration.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Root יָגַב (yâgav)**: This is the verbal root from which יָגֵב is derived. It signifies the action of "plowing" or "tilling," directly linking the noun to the physical labor of preparing the soil.
* **שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, `{{H7704}}`)**: A more general term for "field," "countryside," or "open land." While יָגֵב specifically denotes a *plowed* field, שָׂדֶה can refer to any type of field, cultivated or uncultivated. יָגֵב is thus a specific subset of שָׂדֶה.
* **אֲדָמָה (adâmâh, `{{H127}}`)**: Meaning "ground," "earth," or "land," often referring to arable land or the soil itself. As seen in [[Isaiah 28:24]], it is used in conjunction with יָגֵב to describe the material of the cultivated field.
* **Agricultural Metaphors**: The term יָגֵב belongs to a rich vocabulary of agricultural terms prevalent throughout the Old Testament. Farming imagery is frequently used to describe God's relationship with Israel, concepts of fruitfulness, judgment, and restoration. Words like "sow," "reap," "plant," "vineyard," and "harvest" are part of this broader semantic field, with יָגֵב representing the foundational step of land preparation.
### Theological Significance
The concept of a "plowed field" (yâgêb) carries profound theological implications, particularly within the prophetic context of Isaiah.
* **Divine Wisdom and Order**: The detailed agricultural analogy in [[Isaiah 28]] (where יָגֵב is central) serves as a powerful illustration of God's meticulous wisdom and orderly governance. Just as a farmer does not plow aimlessly but with the specific purpose of sowing, so God's actions, whether in discipline or blessing, are purposeful, precise, and executed with ultimate wisdom. The יָגֵב symbolizes a prepared environment, ready for God's specific work.
* **Preparation for Fruitfulness**: A יָגֵב is land made ready to receive seed and produce a harvest. The theological parallel is that spiritual fruitfulness often necessitates a process of divine preparation and human receptivity. Just as the soil must be broken up and tilled, so hearts and lives may need to undergo a process of softening, breaking, or discipline to become receptive to God's Word and yield spiritual fruit. This imagery speaks to the necessity of a prepared heart for the seed of truth to take root.
* **Metaphor for God's Work in Israel**: In a broader sense, Israel itself is often depicted as God's field or vineyard. The "plowing" can metaphorically represent God's disciplinary actions, His covenant work, or the trials He brings, all designed to prepare His people for spiritual fruitfulness and to fulfill His purposes. The יָגֵב thus becomes a symbol of a people or a situation awaiting divine intervention, poised for growth or judgment.
### Summary
The Hebrew word יָגֵב (yâgêb, `{{H3010}}`) precisely designates a "plowed field," deriving from the verb "to plow." Its two occurrences in [[Isaiah 28:24]] and [[Isaiah 28:25]] are integral to an extended agricultural metaphor, emphasizing land that has been meticulously prepared for cultivation. Distinct from the more general term for "field" (`{{H7704}}`), יָגֵב highlights the preparatory work essential for agricultural productivity. Theologically, יָגֵב serves as a potent symbol of God's methodical wisdom and orderly operations, illustrating that His dealings with humanity, like a farmer's work, are purposeful and precise. It underscores the critical importance of preparation for spiritual fruitfulness, signifying a state of readiness for divine action and the reception of God's truth.
TRV