יָגַב (ya.gav)
ya.gav
to till
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb yagav simply means to till the ground or work as a farmer. It appears in only two verses in the Old Testament, both describing the physical labor required to cultivate soil for crops.
In Jeremiah 2:21 and II Kings 25:12, the word highlights the contrast between God’s intended care for Israel and their subsequent ruin. The sources note that this term focuses on the agricultural act of preparing and working the earth, rather than abstract spiritual concepts. It grounds the biblical narrative in the daily reality of rural life.
Translators typically render yagav as "till" or "plow," keeping the meaning concrete and physical. The word serves as a reminder that ancient Israel’s identity was deeply tied to the land and the work required to sustain it. This straightforward usage reflects the practical nature of Hebrew vocabulary when describing human effort.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word yagav describes the physical act of tilling soil, a task that requires strength, patience, and daily effort. In ancient Israel, this labor was not just about survival; it was a tangible connection to the land God provided. When we read of farmers working the vineyards and fields, we see a picture of stewardship and responsibility. It reminds us that our own lives often involve similar grounded work, where faithfulness in small, daily tasks matters deeply.
Yet this word also carries a heavy weight in Scripture. In Jeremiah and Kings, it appears during times of judgment, marking the contrast between what God intended for His people and the ruin they faced. The same hands that were meant to cultivate beauty were left to tend only the poorest remnants of the land. This reality invites us to reflect on how we treat the gifts entrusted to us, recognizing that true prosperity comes from aligning our work with God’s purposes rather than relying on our own strength.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ to/ ploughmen2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/לְ/יֹגְבִֽים\׃2×
Key Verses
-
II Kings 25:12
But the captain of the guard left some of the poorest of the land to work the vineyards and fields.
This verse uses yagav to describe the remaining poor tilling fields after destruction, highlighting the contrast between God's original care and the current state of ruin.
-
Jeremiah 52:16
But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left of the poorest of the land to be vineyard keepers and farmers.
Here the same term appears in a parallel account, emphasizing that even in judgment, some were left to work the land, showing both mercy and the reality of loss.