נִיר (nir)
nir
fallow ground
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun nir refers to plowed but unplanted land, specifically the furrows left after breaking up the soil. It describes a state of potential rather than current harvest. The word appears in contexts where preparation for sowing is the immediate next step, highlighting the gap between effort and result.
In Jeremiah 4:3, the prophet uses this image to urge Israel to break up their stubborn hearts before planting righteousness. Similarly, Hosea 10:12 calls the people to sow justice in the context of breaking up fallow ground. These passages treat nir not just as dirt, but as a condition of the soul that requires deliberate, hard work to become fertile.
The term underscores the necessity of preparation. One cannot simply scatter seed on hard earth and expect growth. The land must first be turned over, exposing the roots and creating space for new life. This agricultural reality serves as a metaphor for spiritual readiness, where internal change must precede external fruitfulness.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word nir describes land that has been plowed but not yet planted. It is a state of preparation, where the soil is soft and ready, waiting for seed. This image reminds us that spiritual growth often requires work before we see results. Just as a farmer breaks up hard ground to make it fertile, we may need to prepare our hearts through reflection and repentance.
In Jeremiah 4:3, the prophet urges God’s people to break up their fallow ground so they can sow righteousness. This suggests that internal change must come before external fruitfulness. When we allow God to work in our lives, He prepares us to receive His blessings. It is a time of hope and potential, trusting that what is sown will eventually grow.
This concept encourages patience and diligence. We do not need to rush the harvest; instead, we focus on the preparation. By staying open to God’s work, we create space for new life to take root. This process leads to a deeper connection with Him and a more fruitful faith journey.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- unplowed ground2×
- [the] unplowed ground of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נִ֑יר2×
- נִ֣יר1×
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 the image of breaking up fallow ground to call for internal spiritual preparation 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 command to break up fallow ground is directly linked to sowing righteousness and seeking Yahweh.
-
Proverbs 13:23
An abundance of food is in poor people’s fields, but injustice sweeps it away.
Although less direct, this verse highlights the contrast between abundance in fields and injustice, implying the need for righteous stewardship of what is cultivated.