עָרַג (a.rag)
a.rag
to long for
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb arag describes an intense longing or eager desire, often rendered as "to long for" or "to pant after." It appears only once in the Old Testament, in Joel 1:20, where it characterizes the desperate yearning of animals during a severe drought. The imagery suggests a physical urgency, akin to the heavy breathing or panting one might experience when exhausted or deeply thirsty.
This single occurrence grounds the word’s meaning in a context of acute need and vulnerability. Rather than a casual wish, arag conveys a visceral pull toward something essential for survival or relief. The sources highlight this sense of eager anticipation, linking the emotional state to physical exertion or distress. By focusing on this specific instance, we see how the term captures a profound, almost breathless, desire for restoration.
Understanding arag in Joel helps illuminate the depth of the people’s plight. The animals’ panting reflects not just their own suffering but also serves as a powerful metaphor for the community’s spiritual and physical desperation. This rare usage reminds readers that biblical language often uses concrete, bodily experiences to express deep inner states.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word arag captures a longing so deep it becomes physical. It describes the act of panting or gasping for breath when thirst is unbearable. In Joel, this verb paints a picture of animals desperate for water, their very survival hanging in the balance. This imagery reminds us that our spiritual desires can be just as urgent and real.
When we feel spiritually dry, it is natural to yearn for God with that same intensity. This word validates the honesty of our cries. It shows that bringing our raw, breathless needs to God is not a sign of weak faith, but of genuine dependence. He hears the panting of the weary heart.
Even in seasons where relief seems distant, your longing is seen. This ancient term connects your personal struggles to a broader biblical truth: God is the source of living water. Trust that He notices your thirst and responds with grace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- it pants1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תַּעֲר֣וֹג1×
Key Verses
-
Joel 1:20
Yes, the animals of the field pant to you, for the water brooks have dried up, and the fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness.
This verse uses arag to describe the animals' physical panting, illustrating how severe drought creates an urgent, life-sustaining need for water.