### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **yâphach**, represented by `{{H3306}}`, is a primitive root meaning to **breathe hard**; by implication, it means **to sigh** or **bewail self**. It appears only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the Bible, making its specific context essential for understanding its full weight as an expression of profound distress.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In its sole biblical appearance, `{{H3306}}` is used by the prophet Jeremiah to describe the agony of Zion. The verse states, "For I have heard a voice as of a woman in travail, and the anguish as of her that bringeth forth her first child, the voice of the daughter of Zion, that **bewaileth** herself, that spreadeth her hands, saying, Woe is me now! for my soul is wearied because of murderers" [[Jeremiah 4:31]]. Here, **yâphach** is not a simple sigh but a desperate, physical act of lamentation, comparing Zion's suffering to the most extreme pain imaginable.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words found in [[Jeremiah 4:31]] help illustrate the context of this intense bewailing:
* `{{H8085}}` **shâmaʻ** (to hear intelligently): The prophet first needs to **hear** the cry of Zion [[Jeremiah 4:31]]. This word often carries the implication of attention and obedience, such as hearkening to the voice of the LORD [[Deuteronomy 28:1]].
* `{{H6963}}` **qôwl** (a voice or sound): The bewailing is manifested as a **voice** of anguish. The concept of a voice is central in scripture, whether it is the voice of God that must be obeyed or the cry of humanity in distress [[Isaiah 40:3]].
* `{{H6869}}` **tsârâh** (adversity, affliction, anguish, distress, tribulation, trouble): This word defines the intense **anguish** that prompts the bewailing. It describes a state of trouble in which God can be a refuge [[Nahum 1:7]].
* `{{H3709}}` **kaph** (the hollow hand or palm): The act of bewailing is accompanied by a physical gesture of spreading the **hands**. This action can signify a plea or prayer, as in lifting up hands toward God [[Lamentations 2:19]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H3306}}`, though concentrated in a single verse, is significant in its portrayal of lament.
* **Personification of Anguish:** The word gives a visceral, human expression to the collective suffering of God's people. Zion is portrayed not as a city, but as a mother in the agony of childbirth, whose grief is expressed by bewailing herself [[Jeremiah 4:31]].
* **A Cry in Judgment:** **Yâphach** is the sound of despair in the face of divine judgment. It is the cry of a soul "wearied because of murderers," highlighting the devastating consequences of sin and disobedience.
* **Embodied Sorrow:** The term is linked directly with physical actions—a strained voice and outstretched hands—showing that biblical lament is an all-encompassing experience of the body and soul.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H3306}}` **yâphach** is a potent and specific term for the act of bewailing oneself. Its single use in scripture provides a powerful and unforgettable image of Zion's agony. It conveys a depth of sorrow that is visceral and physical, capturing a moment of ultimate despair and illustrating the profound nature of grief as portrayed in the biblical narrative.
TRV