יָגֵב (ya.gev)
ya.gev
field
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun yaghev refers specifically to a ploughed field or arable land. Unlike terms that might denote any open space, this word carries the specific connotation of soil prepared for cultivation. It appears only once in the Bible, in Jeremiah 4:3, where it serves as the object of agricultural imagery.
In its sole occurrence, the prophet uses yaghev to urge Judah to "break up your fallow ground" before the coming judgment. The image suggests that spiritual readiness requires active preparation, much like tilling hard earth to make it receptive to seed. This single usage highlights the word’s focus on productive land rather than wild pasture or urban space.
Because of its rarity, yaghev does not develop a broad theological range across Scripture. Its meaning remains tightly bound to the physical reality of farming. Translators typically render it simply as "field," relying on the context of Jeremiah 4:3 to convey the sense of prepared ground. The word reminds readers that biblical language often distinguishes between types of land based on their human use and potential for growth.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word yaghev describes a field that has been ploughed and prepared for planting. It is not just any open land, but soil made ready to receive seed. In Jeremiah 4:3, the prophet uses this image to call the people to prepare their hearts before God speaks. Just as a farmer breaks up hard ground so crops can grow, we are invited to let God work in our lives to make us receptive to His truth.
This single occurrence reminds us that spiritual growth requires preparation. It is not enough to simply stand in a field; the ground must be tilled. When we allow God to break up the fallow areas of our hearts, we create space for faith to take root. This process may feel like work, but it leads to fruitfulness and a deeper connection with Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ fields1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וִֽ/יגֵבִ֖ים1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 39:10
But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people, who had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.
This verse mentions fields left for the poor, showing the word's basic meaning of arable land provided by God after judgment.