יָגוֹן (ya.gon)
ya.gon
sorrow
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 11 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Definition
Definition
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word yagon describes a deep, lingering sorrow that weighs heavily on the heart. It is not just a fleeting sadness, but a profound grief that can feel like a burden carried in the soul. In Genesis, Jacob fears this sorrow will bring him down to Sheol, showing how deeply personal and devastating such loss can feel.
Yet Scripture also shows that this heavy grief is not the final word. In Jeremiah 31:13, God promises to turn mourning into joy. This hope reminds us that our deepest pains are seen by God, who offers comfort and restoration. We do not face our sorrow alone; He walks with us through it.
When you feel overwhelmed by yagon, remember that your grief is valid and known. You can bring these heavy feelings to God in prayer, trusting that He brings peace even in the darkest moments. His promise of lasting joy offers a steady anchor for your heart.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 11 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- sorrow4×
- and/ sorrow3×
- in/ sorrow2×
- from/ sorrow/ their1×
- from/ sorrow1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יָג֥וֹן2×
- בְּ/יָג֖וֹן2×
- מִ/יגוֹנָֽ/ם\׃1×
- מִ/יָּגוֹן֙1×
- יָג֖וֹן1×
- יָג֑וֹן1×
- וְ/יָגֽוֹן\׃1×
- וְ/יָג֣וֹן1×
- וְ/יָג֑וֹן1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 31:13
Then the virgin will rejoice in the dance, the young men and the old together; for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.
This verse highlights God's power to transform deep sorrow into lasting joy, offering hope for restoration.
-
Genesis 42:38
He said, “My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he only is left. If harm happens to him along the way in which you go, then you will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol.”
Jacob’s fear shows how yagon can feel like a life-draining weight that threatens one’s very being.
-
Isaiah 35:10
Then Yahweh’s ransomed ones will return, and come with singing to Zion; and everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”
The promise that sorrow and sighing will flee away points to the ultimate relief found in God's redemption.