יָרַע
properly, to be broken up (with any violent action) i.e. (figuratively) to fear
Definition
The Hebrew verb יָרַע (yâraʻ) primarily means 'to be broken up' or 'to be shattered,' often describing a state of severe emotional or psychological distress. In its figurative sense, it conveys the idea of being filled with dread, fear, or grief, as seen when Eliab is 'very angry' (1 Samuel 17:28) or when David's words 'displeased' (literally, 'were evil in the eyes of') the men with him (2 Samuel 11:25). In Isaiah 15:4, it uniquely describes a cry being 'grievous,' linking emotional brokenness to audible lament. This root can also imply causing trouble or adversity, as in the 'evil' that God saw was great in Genesis 6:5, though this specific form is often distinguished from the more common verb רָעַע (raʿaʿ, H7489) for moral evil.
Biblical Usage
יָרַע appears in narrative contexts, particularly in the books of Samuel and Chronicles, to describe reactions of anger, displeasure, or grief. It often marks interpersonal conflict or divine displeasure, such as when Saul was 'very angry' (1 Samuel 18:8) or when David's census 'displeased' God (1 Chronicles 21:7). The usage in 1 Samuel 1:8 shows Hannah's profound sorrow, while 2 Samuel 20:6 depicts Absalom's action as 'evil' in the sight of his father. The pattern highlights emotional or relational rupture, whether between humans or between humanity and God.
Etymology
Derived from a primitive root, יָרַע is related to the idea of breaking or shattering. It is cognate with words implying violence or calamity. While sometimes confused with רָעַע (H7489), which broadly means 'to be bad' or 'to do evil,' יָרַע emphasizes the resultant state of being broken or distressed, whether physically or emotionally. Its development from a concrete sense of fragmentation to emotional fear or grief reflects a common Hebrew metaphorical pattern.
Semantic Range
This word matters theologically as it often surfaces in narratives about human failure and divine response, illustrating how emotional and moral brokenness intersects with God's character. For instance, God being 'displeased' (1 Chronicles 21:7) with David's census reveals His holiness and justice in reaction to human sin. Understanding יָרַע enriches reading by highlighting the visceral, relational consequences of actions that rupture covenant relationships, whether between individuals or with God, pointing to the need for reconciliation.
In ancient Israelite culture, emotions like anger, grief, or displeasure were often expressed in communal and tangible terms, where being 'broken up' could affect one's social standing or relationship with the divine. The use of יָרַע in contexts of leadership (e.g., kings' reactions) underscores how emotional states were tied to authority and communal harmony, differing from modern individualistic views of emotion.
רָעַע (raʿaʿ, H7489) — broader term for moral evil or badness; יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — primary verb for 'to fear' or 'revere,' more about awe than emotional shattering; כָּעַס (kāʿas, H3707) — to be angry or vexed, focusing on provocation rather than brokenness.
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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