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יָעֵף

𐤉𐤏𐤐

yâʻêph

H3287 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root עוף to fly, move swiftly, soar

Definition

Adjective denoting a state of being physically or emotionally depleted of strength, often rendered as 'weary' or 'faint.' It can indicate tiredness due to exertion, lack of sustenance, or from difficult circumstances and is used both literally (e.g., travelers or warriors who are exhausted) and figuratively (e.g., a community or people spiritually or emotionally worn out).

Semantic Range

weary, faint, exhausted, drained of strength, fatigued from exertion, emotionally or spiritually spent

Root / Etymology

The word derives from the root עוף (ע-ו-ף), which in verb form means 'to fly, to move quickly through the air.' The adjectival form יָעֵף develops a stative sense: one who is 'spent' from flight, implying exhaustion after exertion. The root meaning 'to fly' metaphorically informs the derived sense of weariness, as if one is worn out from swift movement or activity.

Historical & Contextual Notes

יָעֵף appears particularly in poetic or descriptive passages to convey deep tiredness, whether physical (as in Deuteronomy 25:18, for battle-worn Israelites), or figurative (as in Isaiah 40:29, where it refers to those lacking strength or vitality). The sense often overlaps with other Hebrew terms for weakness or faintness (e.g., עָיֵף, רָפֶה), but יָעֵף tends to emphasize the result of strenuous effort or suffering. In prophetic and wisdom literature, it may express existential or communal exhaustion, not merely personal fatigue. English translations often use 'faint,' 'weary,' or 'exhausted,' but these do not always capture the metaphorical undercurrents related to the root idea of 'flying' and wearing out from such activity. The term does not have specific ethnic or religious connotations; context determines whether the reference is individual or collective.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from יָעַף; fatigued; figuratively, exhausted; faint, weary.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עוף (ʿ-w-p) — to fly, move swiftly, soar

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4155 מוּעָף covered-over dimness
H4588 מָעוּף shadowed gloom of
H5774 עוּף he flew
H5775 עוֹף flying creature
H5776 עוֹף flying creature

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3287-03 יָעֵ֖ף yaef HAamsa weary wearied one 1
H3287-01 הַ/יָּעֵ֖ף hayaef HTd/Aamsa the weary the exhausted one 1
H3287-02 לַ/יָּעֵ֖ף layaef HRd/Aamsa to the weary weary one 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3287-01 2 Samuel 16:2 הַ/יָּעֵ֖ף hayaef HTd/Aamsa the weary the exhausted one
H3287-02 Isaiah 40:29 לַ/יָּעֵ֖ף layaef HRd/Aamsa to the weary weary one
H3287-03 Isaiah 50:4 יָעֵ֖ף yaef HAamsa weary wearied one
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