יָנַק (ya.naq)

The Hebrew verb yānaq describes the physical act of nursing or sucking at the breast. It appears in contexts ranging from the literal care of infants, as when Moses is hidden by his mother in Exodus 2:3, to the tender imagery of a child resting against a mother in Song of Solomon 8:1. The word also functions as a noun for a "suckling" or infant, highlighting the vulnerability and dependence of the young.

Its meaning expands into rich metaphorical territory, particularly in Isaiah. There, the prophet uses the image of nursing to describe spiritual nourishment and comfort from God, such as being "nursed at the breasts of kings" (Isaiah 60:16). This usage transforms a biological necessity into a picture of divine provision and intimacy, suggesting that just as an infant relies completely on milk for life, the people rely on God’s care.

The root conveys more than mere feeding; it implies a close, sustaining bond. In Lamentations 4:3, even wild creatures are described as nursing their young, underscoring the natural order of care that persists even in devastation. Translators often render this word as "nurse" or "suckle," capturing both the action and the relational depth inherent in the Hebrew concept.