נִיר (nir)
nir
to break
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb nir describes the specific agricultural act of breaking up hard ground for fresh plowing. It refers to the initial, forceful work of tearing through unbroken earth rather than simply turning over soil that has already been tilled. This image captures a moment of preparation and disruption, setting the stage for new growth by making the land receptive.
Scripture uses this concrete imagery in Jeremiah 4:3 and Hosea 10:12 to urge spiritual readiness. In these contexts, the call is not to tend existing crops but to break up the fallow ground of the heart. The metaphor suggests that before planting righteousness or truth, one must first remove the compacted hardness of indifference or sin, creating a loose, fertile foundation for what follows.
By focusing on the "breaking" rather than the sowing, nir emphasizes the necessary labor of preparation. It reminds readers that spiritual fruitfulness often requires prior work to soften resistance and clear obstacles, ensuring that subsequent efforts take root in prepared soil rather than hitting a wall of unyielding ground.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word nir describes the hard work of breaking up unbroken, compacted earth so that new seeds can take root. In ancient agriculture, this was not a gentle task but a forceful tearing through hardened ground to prepare for fresh planting. This image captures a moment of necessary disruption, where the soil must be loosened before any growth is possible.
Scripture uses this concrete imagery to speak about our inner lives. The prophets urge us to break up the fallow ground of our hearts, removing the compacted layers of indifference or old habits that block spiritual life. Before we can sow righteousness or receive new grace, there must be a willingness to let God soften what has become hard and unyielding.
This process is not about perfection but preparation. It invites us to trust that the labor of opening our hearts creates fertile soil for God’s work. When we allow this breaking to happen, we make room for truth to take root deeply, ensuring that subsequent efforts in faith find a foundation ready to receive and nurture new life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- plow2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נִ֥ירוּ2×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 4:3
For Yahweh says to the men of Judah and to Jerusalem, “Break up your fallow ground, and don’t sow among thorns.
This verse uses nir as a direct command to Judah, linking the physical act of breaking ground with the spiritual need to remove thorns before seeking God.
-
Hosea 10:12
Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap according to kindness. Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek Yahweh, until he comes and rains righteousness on you.
Here the verb appears in the context of seeking Yahweh, showing that breaking up the heart is the necessary preparation for receiving His righteousness like rain.