from יָגַע; earnings (as the product of toil); that which he laboured for.
Transliteration:yâgâʻ
Pronunciation:yaw-gaw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun יָגָע (yâgâʻ, `{{H3022}}`) is derived directly from the verb יָגַע (yâgaʻ, `{{H3021}}`), which signifies "to toil, labor, grow weary, be exhausted." As such, יָגָע (yâgâʻ) denotes the *product* or *result* of such strenuous effort. Its core meaning encompasses "earnings," "that which is labored for," or "the fruit of toil."
This word carries the inherent nuance of the root verb: it is not merely any gain or acquisition, but specifically that which is achieved through significant exertion, often implying weariness, struggle, or hardship. It can refer to the tangible outcome of human labor, whether physical or mental, and often carries a connotation of the effort expended in its attainment. Unlike words that might denote wealth or possessions generally, יָגָע (yâgâʻ) emphasizes the *process* of its acquisition through diligent, sometimes burdensome, work.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term יָגָע (yâgâʻ, `{{H3022}}`) appears in several key biblical passages, primarily in wisdom literature and prophetic texts, illuminating its various applications:
* **Divine Provision:** In [[Psalm 105:44]], it speaks of God giving the Israelites "the lands of the nations, and they took possession of the *fruit of the peoples' toil* (יְגִיעַ עַמִּים)." Here, the "toil" refers to the agricultural and material wealth accumulated by the previous inhabitants, which God sovereignly transferred to His chosen people. This highlights that even the "toil" of others is ultimately under divine control and can be redistributed according to His purposes.
* **Futility of Earthly Labor:** The book of Ecclesiastes frequently employs יָגָע (yâgâʻ) to underscore the vanity and transience of human effort when disconnected from God.
* [[Ecclesiastes 2:19]]: "And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all my *toil* (יְגִיעִי) in which I have labored and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This too is vanity." Here, Solomon laments that the accumulated fruit of his arduous labor might fall into the hands of an unworthy successor, rendering his efforts ultimately meaningless from an earthly perspective.
* [[Ecclesiastes 4:8]]: "There is one who is alone, without a second, and he has neither son nor brother; yet there is no end to all his *toil* (לְכָל־יְגִיעוֹ), and his eyes are never satisfied with riches." This verse portrays the futility of ceaseless labor for personal accumulation without the joy of sharing or legacy.
* [[Ecclesiastes 5:16]]: "Just as he came naked from his mother’s womb, so he will return as he came. He will take nothing from his *toil* (יְגִיעוֹ) that he may carry in his hand." This emphasizes the unavoidable reality of death, which strips away all earthly gains, including the product of one's toil.
* **Ill-gotten Gain and Devastation:** Prophets use the term to describe the loss or consumption of wealth gained through unrighteous means or as a consequence of divine judgment.
* [[Jeremiah 3:24]]: "But the shameful thing has devoured the *toil* (יְגִיעַ) of our fathers from our youth—their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters." Here, the "shameful thing" (idolatry) is depicted as consuming the very substance and fruit of their ancestors' labor, leading to national ruin.
* [[Jeremiah 20:5]]: "Moreover, I will give all the *wealth* (וְאֶת־כָּל־יְגִיעַהּ) of this city, all its produce, and all its valuables as plunder to their enemies." This is a divine pronouncement of judgment, where the accumulated "toil" of the city will be given over as spoil.
* [[Ezekiel 23:29]]: "They will deal with you in hatred and take away all your *hard-won gains* (וְלָקְחוּ אֶת־כָּל־יְגִיעֵךְ) and leave you naked and bare." This describes the plunder of Jerusalem's wealth by her enemies, emphasizing the loss of what was acquired through effort.
### Related Words & Concepts
The understanding of יָגָע (yâgâʻ, `{{H3022}}`) is greatly enriched by its relationship to other Hebrew terms:
* **יָגַע (yâgaʻ, `{{H3021}}`):** The primary verbal root, meaning "to toil, labor, grow weary." This direct connection is crucial, as יָגָע (yâgâʻ, `{{H3022}}`) is the *result* or *product* of this verb's action. The noun embodies the effort implied by the verb.
* **עָמָל (amal, `{{H6001}}`):** This word also means "toil, labor," often with a strong connotation of trouble, pain, or wearisome exertion. It frequently appears alongside or in similar contexts to יָגָע (yâgâʻ, `{{H3022}}`) in Ecclesiastes, emphasizing the burdensome nature of human work. While יָגָע (yâgâʻ, `{{H3022}}`) focuses on the *product* of toil, amal emphasizes the *process* and its associated difficulty.
* **מַעֲשֶׂה (ma'aseh, `{{H4639}}`):** A general term for "work, deed, act, product." While ma'aseh can refer to any created thing or action, יָגָע (yâgâʻ, `{{H3022}}`) specifically denotes the outcome of *laborious* effort.
* **כֹּחַ (koach, `{{H3581}}`):** Meaning "strength, power, might." The acquisition of יָגָע (yâgâʻ, `{{H3022}}`) often requires the expenditure of koach.
* **Concepts:** The word intersects with broader biblical concepts such as human labor, the curse in [[Genesis 3]], the pursuit of wealth, the vanity of earthly achievements, divine providence, and the justice of God in rewarding or punishing human endeavors.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of יָגָע (yâgâʻ, `{{H3022}}`) is profound, touching upon several core biblical themes:
1. **The Nature of Human Labor:** The word acknowledges the reality of human effort and its tangible outcomes. Since the Fall, labor is often characterized by "toil" ([[Genesis 3:17-19]]), and יָגָע (yâgâʻ, `{{H3022}}`) represents the fruit of this divinely ordained, yet often burdensome, activity. It highlights that human beings are created to work and to produce.
2. **Vanity and Dependence on God:** Ecclesiastes powerfully uses יָגָע (yâgâʻ, `{{H3022}}`) to teach the critical lesson that the *product* of human toil, no matter how great, is ultimately fleeting and unsatisfying when pursued as an end in itself. Without God's blessing and purpose, all earthly earnings are "vanity." This underscores humanity's absolute dependence on God for true meaning and lasting satisfaction, even in the midst of their labor.
3. **Divine Sovereignty over Wealth:** As seen in [[Psalm 105:44]], God is sovereign over all earthly gains, including the toil of nations. He can grant it, redistribute it, or allow it to be plundered. This reminds believers that all possessions, even those "hard-won," ultimately belong to God and are subject to His will.
4. **Justice and Judgment:** The prophetic uses of יָגָע (yâgâʻ, `{{H3022}}`) demonstrate God's concern for how wealth is acquired and used. When the "toil" is associated with idolatry or injustice, it becomes subject to divine judgment and loss. This emphasizes God's righteous character and His active involvement in the material affairs of humanity.
5. **Contrast with Eternal Value:** While not explicitly stating it, the emphasis on the transient nature of earthly "toil" in Ecclesiastes implicitly points towards the need for pursuits of eternal value. The labor that truly matters is that which aligns with God's will and yields spiritual fruit.
### Summary
The Hebrew word יָגָע (yâgâʻ, `{{H3022}}`) precisely describes the "earnings" or "product" derived from strenuous and often wearisome "toil." Rooted in the verb יָגַע (yâgaʻ, `{{H3021}}`), it encapsulates the outcome of human effort, whether physical or mental. Biblical occurrences reveal its diverse applications: from God's sovereign distribution of the toil of nations ([[Psalm 105:44]]) to the poignant reflections in Ecclesiastes on the futility and transience of earthly gain when pursued apart from divine wisdom ([[Ecclesiastes 2:19]], [[Ecclesiastes 4:8]], [[Ecclesiastes 5:16]]). Prophets also utilize it to depict the loss of ill-gotten or justly forfeited wealth due to sin and judgment ([[Jeremiah 3:24]], [[Jeremiah 20:5]], [[Ezekiel 23:29]]). Theologically, יָגָע (yâgâʻ, `{{H3022}}`) serves as a profound reminder of the nature of post-Fall human labor, the ultimate vanity of earthly achievements without God, and His sovereign control over all material possessions. It compels the reader to consider the ultimate purpose and lasting value of their labor in light of God's eternal perspective.
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