from יָגַע; tired; hence (transitive) tiresome; full of labour, weary.
Transliteration:yâgêaʻ
Pronunciation:yaw-gay'-ah
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew adjective H3023 (yâgêaʻ) derives from the root verb H3021 (yâgaʻ), meaning "to toil, grow weary, be tired." As an adjective or participle, H3023 primarily denotes a state of being "tired," "weary," or "exhausted." It conveys the sense of having expended significant energy, whether physical or mental, leading to a depletion of strength. The word can also carry a transitive sense, implying something that is "tiresome" or "wearisome," causing fatigue in others. Fundamentally, H3023 describes a condition of profound fatigue resulting from strenuous effort, prolonged exertion, or enduring hardship, often implying a need for rest or cessation of activity.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
H3023 appears in various contexts throughout the Hebrew Bible, consistently highlighting the theme of weariness:
* **Physical Exhaustion:** In [[2 Samuel 17:29]], the word describes David's men as "weary" (yâgêaʻ) and hungry after their flight from Absalom. This vividly portrays the physical toll of their arduous journey, emphasizing their vulnerability and need for sustenance. Similarly, [[Deuteronomy 25:18]] recounts the Amalekites' opportunistic attack on the Israelites who were "weary" (yâgêaʻ) and exhausted during their wilderness journey, underscoring the danger of fatigue in vulnerable moments.
* **Spiritual/Emotional Exhaustion:** [[Jeremiah 45:3]] presents a poignant use of H3023 where Baruch laments, "Woe is me, for the LORD has added sorrow to my pain! I am weary (yâgêaʻ) with my groaning and find no rest." Here, the weariness is not merely physical but deeply emotional and spiritual, stemming from the burden of prophetic ministry and the surrounding distress. This usage reveals the capacity of the word to describe inner fatigue and despair.
* **Contrast with Divine Strength:** Perhaps most profoundly, H3023 is employed in [[Isaiah 40:30]] and [[Isaiah 40:31]] in a theological contrast. [[Isaiah 40:30]] states, "Even youths shall faint and be weary (yâgêaʻ), and young men shall fall exhausted," highlighting the universal human susceptibility to fatigue regardless of age or apparent strength. This human limitation is immediately juxtaposed in [[Isaiah 40:31]] with the promise that "they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary (yâgêaʻ); they shall walk and not faint." This antithetical parallelism underscores that while human strength is finite and leads to weariness, divine power is inexhaustible and grants the ability to overcome fatigue.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of H3023 is rich with terms related to labor, effort, and exhaustion:
* **Root Verb:** H3021 (yâgaʻ) - The direct verbal root, meaning "to toil, grow weary, be tired."
* **Nouns from the Root:** H3022 (yegiʻa) and H3025 (yegîaʻ) - Both refer to "toil," "labor," or the "produce of labor," and can also signify "weariness" as a result of such effort.
* **Synonyms of Weariness:**
* H5889 (ʻâyêf) and H3287 (yaʻeph) - Adjectives meaning "faint" or "weary," often used interchangeably or in parallel with H3023, as seen in [[Isaiah 40:30]].
* H3286 (yaʻaf) - The verb "to faint, be weary," frequently used to describe a state of utter exhaustion.
* **Concepts of Strength/Rest:** The understanding of H3023 is deepened by contrasting it with words for strength, power (H3581 - koah; H2428 - chayil), and rest (H5117 - nuakh), which represent the antithesis of weariness and are often presented as divine provisions.
### Theological Significance
The word H3023 (yâgêaʻ) carries significant theological weight, primarily by illuminating the nature of humanity in contrast to the nature of God.
1. **Human Limitation and Finitude:** The pervasive presence of "weariness" in human experience, as depicted by H3023, serves as a constant reminder of humanity's created, finite nature. Unlike God, who "does not faint or grow weary" (using H3286 in [[Isaiah 40:28]]), humans are inherently susceptible to exhaustion, a consequence of living in a fallen world where toil and suffering are common ([[Genesis 3:17-19]]). This vulnerability underscores human dependence on a power greater than themselves.
2. **Divine Compassion and Provision:** Precisely because humanity is prone to weariness, the biblical text often presents God as the ultimate source of strength and renewal. Passages like [[Isaiah 40:29]] ("He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength") directly address the condition of the yâgêaʻ, promising divine intervention for the exhausted. This highlights God's compassionate character and His role as the inexhaustible wellspring of vitality.
3. **Spiritual Resilience:** The application of H3023 to spiritual or emotional weariness ([[Jeremiah 45:3]]) points to the reality of inner burdens and the need for spiritual sustenance. It suggests that faith is not a shield against all forms of fatigue but rather the means by which one can endure and ultimately be renewed, finding rest for the soul in God.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H3023 (yâgêaʻ) powerfully conveys the concept of being "tired," "weary," or "full of labor," stemming from physical exertion, emotional distress, or spiritual burdens. Its usage across the Old Testament consistently highlights the inherent limitations and finite nature of humanity, contrasting sharply with the infinite and unfailing strength of God. Whether describing the physical exhaustion of soldiers or the spiritual weariness of a prophet, H3023 underscores human vulnerability and dependence. Crucially, the word often appears in contexts that point towards divine compassion and the promise of renewal, positioning God as the ultimate source of strength and rest for those who are yâgêaʻ. Thus, H3023 serves as a profound reminder of both human frailty and God's boundless, sustaining power.
TRV