The Hebrew word yâgôwn, represented by H3015, defines a state of affliction, grief, or sorrow. It appears 14 times across 14 unique verses in the Bible. This term captures a profound sense of anguish that stems from circumstances like personal loss, oppression, or the consequences of sin.
In the biblical narrative, H3015 is used to express deep personal suffering. Jacob twice fears that the loss of his son Benjamin will "bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave" (Genesis 42:38; Genesis 44:31). The psalmist cries out, "How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily?" Psalms 13:2. The prophet Jeremiah laments the very fact of his birth, questioning why he came forth from the womb only "to see labour and sorrow" Jeremiah 20:18. This sorrow is also depicted as a consequence of hardship and divine judgment, as when people are "brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow" Psalms 107:39 or when Jerusalem is made to drink a cup filled with "drunkenness and sorrow" Ezekiel 23:33. However, it is frequently contrasted with future restoration, where God promises that for his redeemed people, sorrow and sighing will flee away Isaiah 35:10.
Several related words help define the scope of biblical grief:
- H4341 makʼôb (anguish or (figuratively) affliction; grief, pain, sorrow): A close synonym for deep pain. In his lament, Jeremiah states that the LORD "hath added grief H3015 to my sorrow H4341" Jeremiah 45:3.
- H585 ʼănâchâh (sighing; groaning, mourn, sigh): This word often appears alongside yâgôwn to describe the outward expression of inner grief. A life can be "spent with grief H3015, and my years with sighing H585" Psalms 31:10, and in the age of restoration, both sorrow and sighing will flee away Isaiah 51:11.
- H5999 ʻâmâl (toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, wheth. of body or mind...): This describes the wearisome effort and trouble that often leads to sorrow. Jeremiah connects his existence to seeing both labour H5999 and sorrow H3015 Jeremiah 20:18.
The theological weight of H3015 is significant, highlighting key aspects of the human condition and divine action.
- A Reality of the Fallen World: Yâgôwn is presented as a direct consequence of a world affected by sin, iniquity, and oppression. A psalmist declares his life "is spent with grief" and his strength fails "because of mine iniquity" Psalms 31:10. It is a tangible result of suffering and affliction Psalms 107:39.
- The Depth of Human Lament: The term gives voice to profound human suffering, from the personal agony of a father's potential loss Genesis 42:38 to a prophet's existential despair Jeremiah 20:18 and a soul's daily struggle Psalms 13:2.
- A Condition Overcome by Redemption: A central theme is that sorrow is not the final word for God's people. The prophets repeatedly promise a future where sorrow will be turned to joy H8057 and gladness H8342, and mourning will be comforted (Jeremiah 31:13; Esther 9:22). For the redeemed of the LORD, sorrow and sighing "shall flee away" (Isaiah 35:10; Isaiah 51:11).
In summary, H3015 yâgôwn is more than a simple term for sadness. It encapsulates a deep, consuming affliction that is a core part of the biblical depiction of human suffering. It is seen in the laments of patriarchs and prophets and as a consequence of both personal iniquity and external oppression. Critically, however, its presence in scripture serves to highlight the hope of divine redemption, where this profound sorrow is promised to be removed and replaced by God's everlasting joy.
TRV