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יָרָק

𐤉𐤓𐤒

yârâq

H3417 verb

SILEX Entry

Root ירק to spit, expel saliva

Definition

To expel saliva from the mouth with force (to spit); also used idiomatically to indicate an act of disrespect or humiliation. The verb primarily denotes the physical action of spitting, but in certain contexts—especially in legal or ritual texts—may refer figuratively to shaming someone, as spitting was regarded as a gesture of insult or rejection.

Semantic Range

to spit, expel saliva, to eject from the mouth, to express contempt or insult by spitting, to shame or humiliate by spitting

Root / Etymology

Root: ירק. The root carries the base meaning of 'to spit.' The verbal form יָרָק developed directly from this root, and in biblical usage retains its original, concrete sense.

Historical & Contextual Notes

יָרָק occurs infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, appearing only in select legal or narrative contexts (such as Numbers 12:14, Deuteronomy 25:9). In ancient Israelite society, spitting—particularly in someone's presence or face—was a significant act of dishonor or public humiliation, as reflected in legal procedures (e.g., the levirate law). The act may also occur in ritual or purity contexts. While 'spitting' is the basic meaning, in context it takes on a culturally laden sense of shame or disgrace. Later, the idea of spitting as an insult persists in post-biblical Hebrew and surrounding cultures. Modern translations often connect the act with contempt or public rebuke; however, in biblical usage, the action itself carries more severe social connotations than in contemporary Western culture. The term should be clearly distinguished from other Hebrew verbs that may refer to 'reject' or 'curse.'

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to spit; [idiom] but, spit.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ירק (y-r-q) — to spit, expel saliva

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3387 יָרוֹק he will grow green
H3418 יֶרֶק like green vegetation
H3419 יָרָק the green produce
H3420 יֵרָקוֹן to greenish-pallor
H3422 יְרַקְרַק sickly yellow-green

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3417-01 וְ/יָרְקָ֖ה veyareqah HC/Vqq3fs and she shall spit and she spat 1
H3417-02 יָרַק֙ yaraq HVqp3ms spit he spit 1
H3417-03 יָרֹ֤ק yaroq HVqa had spit he will spit 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3417-03 Numbers 12:14 יָרֹ֤ק yaroq HVqa had spit he will spit
H3417-02 Numbers 12:14 יָרַק֙ yaraq HVqp3ms spit he spit
H3417-01 Deuteronomy 25:9 וְ/יָרְקָ֖ה veyareqah HC/Vqq3fs and she shall spit and she spat
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