יָגֵעַ (ya.ge.a)
ya.ge.a
weary
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb yāgaʿ describes a state of deep physical or mental exhaustion. It conveys the feeling of being worn out by labor, travel, or sorrow. The sources define it simply as weary or wearisome, capturing the heavy toll that sustained effort takes on the human body and spirit.
This word appears in only three verses in the Hebrew Bible, making its usage distinct and focused. It is found in Deuteronomy 25:18, where it describes the exhaustion of Israel after leaving Egypt. It also appears in Ecclesiastes 4:6 and II Samuel 21:6, contexts that highlight the burden of toil or the weight of consequence. In each instance, the term points to a tangible limit reached by human endurance.
The root meaning emphasizes the result of prolonged activity rather than the act itself. It is not merely tiredness from a single day’s work, but a deeper fatigue that lingers. Translators often render it as "weary," though this English word can sometimes feel light. The Hebrew carries more weight, suggesting a person who has been stretched to their capacity and finds rest difficult to attain.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When you feel completely drained, this Hebrew word reminds you that your exhaustion is seen. It describes a deep weariness that goes beyond simple tiredness, capturing the heavy toll of prolonged labor or sorrow. God knows the difference between resting after one hard day and feeling stretched to your absolute limit.
In Deuteronomy 25:18, this term highlights Israel’s vulnerability as they left Egypt. It shows that even a chosen people faced moments of profound weakness. This truth offers comfort because it means you do not have to hide your fatigue from God. He understands the weight you carry when your strength is nearly gone.
Ecclesiastes 1:8 uses this word to describe how the human soul can grow weary of endless striving. It invites you to lay down the burden of trying to satisfy every desire. Rest in the knowledge that your worth does not depend on your productivity. God’s grace meets you precisely where your strength ends.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ weary1×
- [will be] weary1×
- [are] wearisome1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יָגֵ֙עַ֙1×
- יְגֵעִ֔ים1×
- וְ/יָגֵ֑עַ1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 25:18
how he met you by the way, and struck the rearmost of you, all who were feeble behind you, when you were faint and weary; and he didn’t fear God.
This occurrence matters because it identifies Israel's physical vulnerability at a critical moment, showing that God sees the weakness of those who are faint and weary.
-
Ecclesiastes 1:8
All things are full of weariness beyond uttering. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
This verse uses the word to describe a spiritual and sensory exhaustion from endless striving, highlighting how the human heart grows tired when it seeks satisfaction in fleeting things.
-
II Samuel 17:2
I will come on him while he is weary and exhausted, and will make him afraid. All the people who are with him will flee. I will strike the king only,
Here the term describes a tactical advantage gained by striking an opponent who is already worn out, illustrating the practical reality of human limits in conflict.