### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H3019, יָגִיעַ (yâgîyaʻ), derives from the root יָגַע (yagaʻ), which carries the core meaning of toiling, laboring, or exerting oneself to the point of exhaustion. As an adjective or participle, יָגִיעַ specifically denotes a state of being "tired" or "weary." Its semantic range encompasses not only physical fatigue resulting from strenuous effort but also a deeper, more pervasive weariness of spirit brought on by prolonged hardship, distress, or oppression. It describes a condition of profound exhaustion that yearns for cessation and rest.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H3019 (yâgîyaʻ) appears only once in the Masoretic Text, found in the book of Job:
* **[[Job 3:17]]**: "There the wicked cease from troubling, and there the weary (יָגִיעַ - yâgîyaʻ) are at rest."
* **Context**: This verse is part of Job's profound lament, where he expresses his wish to have never been born or to have died at birth, thereby escaping his immense suffering. He envisions death as a place of ultimate peace and repose. The "weary" (yâgîyaʻ) in this context are those who have been burdened by life's hardships, perhaps oppressed, or those whose very existence has been a relentless struggle. Job's use of this word underscores the depth of his own exhaustion and his desperate longing for an end to his anguish. The contrast with the "wicked" who "cease from troubling" further highlights that the weary are those who have endured affliction, whether from external forces or the internal struggle of life itself.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root verb from which H3019 is derived:
* **יָגַע (yagaʻ - `{{H3021}}`)**: This verb means "to toil," "to labor," "to grow weary," or "to be faint." It is used more frequently throughout the Old Testament and describes the active process of becoming weary through effort. Examples include the labor of the wicked ([[Job 9:29]]), the weariness of God's people in their service ([[Isaiah 43:22]]), or the strenuous efforts of those who build ([[Nehemiah 4:22]]).
Other related terms that express states of fatigue or exhaustion include:
* **עָיֵף (ayef - `{{H5889}}`)**: Meaning "faint" or "weary," often referring to physical exhaustion, as seen with Esau after hunting ([[Genesis 25:29]]) or the Israelites in the wilderness ([[Exodus 17:8]]).
* **לָאָה (la'ah - `{{H3811}}`)**: To be weary, disgusted, or impatient, often with a nuance of being fed up or unable to endure further ([[Isaiah 7:13]]).
* **כָּשַׁל (kashal - `{{H3782}}`)**: To stumble, totter, or faint, often implying a loss of strength or resolve.
The concept of "rest" (נוּחַ - nuach, `{{H5117}}`) is a crucial counterpoint to "weariness," representing the cessation of toil and suffering.
### Theological Significance
The singular occurrence of יָגִיעַ (yâgîyaʻ) in [[Job 3:17]] carries profound theological weight.
1. **The Human Condition of Toil and Suffering**: The word powerfully articulates the reality of human existence in a fallen world, characterized by labor, struggle, and weariness. Job's lament reflects a universal human experience of exhaustion, not merely physical, but often spiritual and existential, stemming from life's inherent difficulties and the consequences of sin.
2. **The Longing for Rest**: The verse portrays death as a desired state of rest for the weary. While not an endorsement of death itself, it highlights the deep, innate human yearning for an end to suffering and for true repose. This longing foreshadows the ultimate rest offered by God, which transcends the temporary cessation of life.
3. **Contrast with Divine Nature**: In stark contrast to humanity, God is never weary. As declared in [[Isaiah 40:28]], "The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary (יָעַף - ya'ef, related to `{{H5889}}`); his understanding is unsearchable." This divine attribute underscores God's omnipotence and inexhaustible nature, providing a source of strength and hope for the weary.
4. **Anticipation of Divine Solace**: Though found in Job's lament, the concept of the "weary" finding rest implicitly points towards God's compassionate provision for His people. While Job's immediate solace is death, the broader biblical narrative reveals God as the one who provides true rest, comfort, and renewal for those who labor and are heavy-laden, a theme beautifully echoed in the New Testament ([[Matthew 11:28]]).
### Summary
H3019, יָגִיעַ (yâgîyaʻ), is a rare but potent Hebrew term signifying deep weariness or exhaustion, derived from the root meaning "to toil." Its sole appearance in [[Job 3:17]] poignantly expresses the human desire for rest from life's burdens, portraying death as a cessation of suffering for the "weary." Theologically, this word underscores the pervasive nature of human toil and suffering, contrasting it with God's inexhaustible strength and His ultimate provision of rest for His people. It encapsulates a profound longing for relief that finds its ultimate fulfillment in divine solace.
TRV