### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun yûwbal (`{{H3105}}`) denotes "a stream" or "river." Its etymological root is yābal (`{{H2986}}`), meaning "to bring, carry, or lead." This connection suggests a natural body of water that is continually in motion, "bringing" or "carrying" its flow. Unlike nāhār (`{{H5104}}`), which often refers to large, significant rivers, or naḥal (`{{H5158}}`), which can denote a seasonal wadi, yûwbal appears to emphasize a consistent, flowing watercourse. Its semantic range is quite specific, focusing on the life-giving and sustaining aspects of a perennial water source.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term yûwbal (`{{H3105}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in [[Jeremiah 17:8]]. This singular occurrence is profoundly significant for understanding its theological weight:
> "For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river (יוּבַל), and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit."
In this prophetic passage, yûwbal is used metaphorically to describe the secure and flourishing condition of the person who trusts in the Lord, contrasted with the cursed state of those who rely on human strength. The "river" (יוּבַל) here signifies a reliable and abundant source of nourishment, enabling the tree to withstand drought and heat, maintaining its vitality and fruitfulness. The parallel use of "waters" (מַיִם, `{{H4325}}`) reinforces the imagery of constant provision and sustenance. The context emphasizes stability, resilience, and productivity as direct results of a deep-rooted connection to a faithful source.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for yûwbal (`{{H3105}}`) is its root verb yābal (`{{H2986}}`), "to bring, carry, lead." This root forms the basis for several related, though semantically distinct, nouns:
* yôbhēl (`{{H3104}}`): This noun, also derived from yābal, refers to a "ram's horn" or "trumpet," and by extension, the "Year of Jubilee" (e.g., [[Leviticus 25:13]]). While sharing the same root, its meaning diverged significantly from "stream," likely due to the idea of the trumpet "bringing forth" a sound or the Jubilee "bringing back" land and liberty. It is crucial to distinguish yûwbal (stream) from yôbhēl (Jubilee), despite their shared etymology.
* Other Hebrew terms for waterways include:
* nāhār (`{{H5104}}`): A general term for "river," often used for major rivers like the Euphrates or Nile.
* naḥal (`{{H5158}}`): A "wadi" or "torrent-bed," often seasonal and prone to drying up.
* mayim (`{{H4325}}`): The general word for "water."
yûwbal stands out by its singular use in a highly symbolic context, emphasizing a constant, life-sustaining flow, perhaps less grand than a major nāhār but more reliable than a naḥal.
### Theological Significance
The solitary appearance of yûwbal (`{{H3105}}`) in [[Jeremiah 17:8]] imbues it with profound theological significance. It serves as a powerful metaphor for the divine provision and the flourishing life of faith:
* **Divine Sustenance:** The yûwbal symbolizes God as the unfailing source of spiritual nourishment. Just as the stream provides constant water to the tree, God continually sustains those who trust in Him, even amidst life's droughts and trials.
* **Spiritual Resilience:** The tree planted by the yûwbal remains green and fruitful despite heat and drought. This illustrates the resilience and steadfastness of the believer whose life is deeply rooted in God. Their faith provides stability and strength against adversity.
* **Fruitfulness in God:** The imagery of the tree "not ceas[ing] from yielding fruit" speaks to the spiritual productivity and blessings that flow from a life grounded in God's faithfulness. This fruitfulness is not dependent on external circumstances but on the internal, divine supply.
* **Contrast with Human Reliance:** The passage in Jeremiah 17 contrasts this blessed state with the cursed condition of those who trust in human strength, whose hearts turn away from the Lord and become like a "shrub in the desert" ([[Jeremiah 17:6]]). The yûwbal represents the life-giving alternative to spiritual barrenness.
### Summary
The Hebrew word yûwbal (`{{H3105}}`) refers to a "stream" or "river," deriving from the root yābal (`{{H2986}}`) which conveys the idea of continuous flow or bringing forth. Its singular occurrence in [[Jeremiah 17:8]] is highly symbolic, depicting the blessedness of the one who trusts in the Lord. In this context, the yûwbal represents an unfailing source of divine provision, enabling a life of spiritual resilience, stability, and enduring fruitfulness, even in challenging circumstances. While etymologically linked to yôbhēl (`{{H3104}}`, "Jubilee"), yûwbal maintains a distinct and powerful semantic focus on the life-giving nature of a constant water source, serving as a rich metaphor for God's faithful sustenance of His people.
TRV