or נִר; from נִיר; properly, plowing, i.e. (concretely) freshly plowed land; fallow ground, plowing, tillage.
Transliteration:nîyr
Pronunciation:neer
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word H5215 (נִיר, nîyr) fundamentally refers to the act of "plowing" or, more concretely, "freshly plowed land" or "fallow ground." Derived from a root meaning "to break up ground" or "to cultivate," it denotes soil that has been turned over, loosened, and made ready for sowing. The semantic range thus includes the process of tillage and the state of ground prepared for agricultural productivity. It implies an initial, often arduous, act of breaking through hardened surfaces to create a receptive environment for growth.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
H5215 appears in a limited number of biblical texts, primarily in prophetic literature, where its agricultural meaning is powerfully extended into a spiritual metaphor.
* [[Proverbs 13:23]]: "Much food is in the fallow ground of the poor, but there is that is destroyed for lack of justice." Here, "fallow ground" (נִיר) represents land that, though uncultivated, possesses inherent potential for abundance. The verse highlights that this potential, particularly for the poor, can be tragically lost due to societal injustice, preventing the necessary labor and harvest.
* [[Jeremiah 4:3]]: "For thus says the Lord to the men of Judah and Jerusalem: 'Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.'" This is a direct divine command, using the agricultural metaphor to urge spiritual repentance and preparation. The "fallow ground" here symbolizes the hardened, unrepentant hearts of the people, which are unreceptive to God's word. The command to "break up" this ground signifies an active, deliberate turning away from sin and a softening of the heart, lest the "seed" of God's truth be choked by "thorns" (worldly distractions, sin, or unfaithfulness).
* [[Hosea 10:12]]: "Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you." Similar to Jeremiah, Hosea employs the imagery of נִיר as a call to spiritual transformation. The act of "breaking up fallow ground" is presented as a prerequisite for seeking the Lord and receiving His divine blessing ("rain righteousness"). It underscores the necessity of internal preparation and receptivity for genuine spiritual fruitfulness (sowing righteousness, reaping steadfast love).
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept embodied by H5215 is closely tied to several agricultural and theological terms:
* **Agricultural Terms:** The verb form of the root, also נִיר (nîr), means "to break up ground" or "to cultivate," emphasizing the active nature of the preparation. Other related terms include `{{H2232}}` (zera', "seed"), `{{H2221}}` (zara', "to sow"), `{{H7105}}` (qatzir, "harvest"), and `{{H7704}}` (sadeh, "field"), all of which contextualize נִיר within the broader agricultural cycle of planting and reaping.
* **Theological Concepts:**
* **Heart:** The "fallow ground" is a powerful metaphor for the human heart (`{{H3820}}` lev). An unplowed heart is hardened, unreceptive, and incapable of bearing spiritual fruit.
* **Repentance:** The command to "break up your fallow ground" is synonymous with a call to repentance (`{{H7725}}` shuv, "to turn back"). It signifies a turning from a state of spiritual hardness and rebellion to one of openness and obedience to God.
* **Spiritual Preparation:** The word highlights the necessity of active human preparation for divine blessing. Just as soil must be prepared for a harvest, so too must the heart be prepared to receive God's word and grace.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H5215 lies primarily in its metaphorical application to the spiritual condition of humanity. The imagery of "fallow ground" serves as a potent symbol for the human heart that has become hardened, neglected, or unreceptive to God's truth.
The divine command to "break up your fallow ground" is a profound theological imperative for spiritual renewal. It signifies that:
1. **Preparation is Essential:** Just as fertile land cannot yield a harvest without the arduous work of plowing, so too the human heart, no matter its inherent potential, cannot bear spiritual fruit without active preparation.
2. **Repentance is Active:** This preparation is not passive; it requires deliberate effort, a breaking down of spiritual hardness, pride, and resistance to God's will. It is a turning away from sin and a conscious decision to cultivate a receptive heart.
3. **Divine Partnership:** While human effort is required to "break up" the ground, the ultimate fruitfulness comes from God's "rain of righteousness" ([[Hosea 10:12]]). This illustrates the synergistic relationship between human responsibility and divine grace in the process of sanctification and spiritual growth.
4. **Consequences of Neglect:** Unplowed fallow ground remains barren. Spiritually, an unrepentant, unprepared heart will not receive God's word effectively and will fail to produce the desired fruit of righteousness and steadfast love.
Thus, נִיר underscores God's desire for a receptive and fruitful relationship with His people, which necessitates a willing and prepared heart.
### Summary
H5215 (נִיר, nîyr) literally denotes "fallow ground" or "freshly plowed land," rooted in the agricultural act of preparing soil for planting. Biblically, its most significant use is metaphorical, particularly in the prophetic books of Jeremiah and Hosea. The command to "break up your fallow ground" serves as a powerful divine imperative for spiritual repentance and preparation. It calls for the active softening of the hardened human heart, removing obstacles and cultivating a receptive environment for God's word and grace. This preparation is presented as essential for receiving divine blessing and for yielding the spiritual fruit of righteousness and steadfast love. The word thus encapsulates the critical theological principle that an active, repentant heart is a prerequisite for a fruitful relationship with God.
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