יָבֵשׁ
dry
Definition
The Hebrew word יָבֵשׁ (yâbêsh) primarily means 'dry' or 'dried up,' describing a state of lacking moisture. It often refers to physical dryness, such as dry ground (Numbers 11:6) or withered vegetation (Ezekiel 17:24). In a metaphorical sense, it can depict spiritual barrenness or judgment, as in Job 13:25 where Job feels 'dried up' by God's wrath. The word also appears in ritual contexts, like the prohibition of 'dried grapes' (raisins) for Nazirites in Numbers 6:3.
Biblical Usage
יָבֵשׁ is used nine times across various Old Testament books, including the Pentateuch, Prophets, and Wisdom literature. It commonly describes agricultural or natural dryness, as in Ezekiel 37:2, 4's vision of 'very dry' bones. The word also applies to dietary restrictions (Numbers 6:3) and metaphorical desolation, such as the 'dry tree' representing barrenness in Isaiah 56:3. Its usage spans literal, ritual, and figurative contexts, often emphasizing lifelessness or divine judgment.
Etymology
Derived from the root יבש (y-b-sh, H3001), meaning 'to be dry' or 'to wither.' This root appears in verbs like יָבֵשׁ (to dry up) and nouns like יַבָּשָׁה (dry land). Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, such as Ugaritic and Arabic, reflecting a common ancient Near Eastern concept of dryness. The meaning consistently relates to the absence of water or vitality.
Semantic Range
יָבֵשׁ carries theological weight in depicting spiritual condition and God's action. In Ezekiel 37, the 'dry bones' symbolize Israel's hopelessness, yet God promises resurrection, contrasting dryness with life-giving breath. In Isaiah 56:3, the 'dry tree' represents exclusion, but God includes the faithful, showing His grace beyond barrenness. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches readings of judgment, restoration, and God's power to revive what seems lifeless.
In ancient Israel, dryness was a serious concern due to the arid climate and reliance on agriculture. A 'dry' state could mean famine, poverty, or death, making יָבֵשׁ a vivid term for hardship. Ritual uses, like the Nazirite's avoidance of dried grapes (Numbers 6:3), highlighted separation for holiness. Culturally, dryness symbolized vulnerability, contrasting with the life-giving water often associated with God's blessing.
צָחִיחַ (tsachiach, H6706) — emphasizes parched, bare ground; often used for desert landscapes. חָרֵב (charev, H2720) — denotes dried up or desolate, frequently in contexts of ruin or destruction. יְבֵשָׁה (yevashah, H3004) — refers specifically to dry land as opposed to water.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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