### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **yᵉgiʻâh**, represented by `{{H3024}}`, is a specific term for **fatigue** or **weariness**. This word is exceptionally rare, appearing only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the entire Bible. Its singular use provides a focused and poignant illustration of the exhaustive effect of intense mental effort on the physical body.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole appearance of `{{H3024}}` is in [[Ecclesiastes 12:12]], where the Preacher offers an admonition about the limits of human intellectual pursuit. The verse states, "and much study is a **weariness** of the flesh." In this context, **yᵉgiʻâh** is presented as the direct consequence of excessive intellectual activity, a physical draining that serves as a caution against the endless making of books and boundless study.
### Related Words & Concepts
Two related words are essential for understanding the context of `{{H3024}}` in its single occurrence:
* `{{H3854}}` **lahag** (study): Defined as "intense mental application," this word identifies the cause of the **weariness**. In [[Ecclesiastes 12:12]], it is "much **study**" that directly leads to the state of **yᵉgiʻâh**.
* `{{H1320}}` **bâsâr** (flesh): This word, meaning **flesh**, body, or person, identifies what is affected by the **weariness**. The fatigue described by `{{H3024}}` is a physical state that impacts the **flesh** [[Ecclesiastes 12:12]]. The term **bâsâr** is used elsewhere to denote humanity's physical nature and limitations, as seen in the warning against making **flesh** one's strength [[Jeremiah 17:5]].
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H3024}}` is derived entirely from its pointed use in Ecclesiastes.
* **Human Finitude:** The word underscores the concept of human limitation. It highlights that even noble pursuits like study have physical boundaries and can lead to **weariness**, reminding humanity of its finite nature in contrast to the endlessness of knowledge.
* **The Cost of Knowledge:** **yᵉgiʻâh** frames the pursuit of knowledge as having a tangible cost. The "weariness of the flesh" [[Ecclesiastes 12:12]] is a direct result of "much study" `{{H3854}}`, suggesting that wisdom involves recognizing the physical toll of intellectual labor.
* **A Call for Balance:** As part of a larger admonition, the use of `{{H3024}}` serves as a call for balance. It implies that a life lived wisely understands its own physical and mental limits, rather than chasing endless information to the point of exhaustion.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H3024}}` **yᵉgiʻâh** offers a concise and powerful statement on **weariness**. Though used only once, its placement in [[Ecclesiastes 12:12]] gives it significant weight. It defines a specific type of fatigue born from intense study and serves as a scriptural marker for the physical limitations inherent to the human condition, illustrating that even the pursuit of wisdom must be tempered by an understanding of the frailty of the **flesh**.
TRV