יָגָע

יָגָע

earnings (as the product of toil)

Definition

The Hebrew noun יָגָע (yâgâʻ) refers to the product or result of labor, specifically the earnings, gain, or profit acquired through strenuous toil. It denotes the tangible outcome of hard work, often with an emphasis on the effort expended to obtain it. In its single biblical occurrence in Job 20:18, it describes the wealth or substance that a wicked person gains, which ultimately proves unenjoyable and futile. The word inherently connects labor with its material yield, carrying a neutral sense of 'that which is labored for,' though the context in Job gives it a negative connotation of ill-gotten gain.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Job 20:18. In this context, Zophar uses it to describe the wealth that the wicked person labors to acquire, which he must then give back and cannot enjoy. The usage is poetic and part of a discourse on the fleeting nature of ill-gotten prosperity. The singular occurrence limits observable patterns, but it clearly ties the concept of earnings directly to the preceding act of labor (from its root verb יָגַע, yāgaʿ).

Etymology

יָגָע (yâgâʻ) is a noun derived directly from the verb יָגַע (yāgaʿ, H3021), which means 'to toil,' 'to labor,' or 'to grow weary.' The noun form represents the concrete result or product of that verbal action. Cognates in other Semitic languages, like Ugaritic and Arabic, carry similar meanings related to labor and weariness, confirming this core semantic field of exhausting work and its yield.

Semantic Range

Though used only once, יָגָע contributes to the biblical theme of the futility of labor and wealth apart from God, a major topic in Wisdom literature. In Job 20:18, it underscores the doctrine that prosperity gained through wickedness is ultimately meaningless and cannot provide lasting security or satisfaction. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Job by highlighting the direct link between exhausting labor (יָגַע) and its hollow earnings (יָגָע), emphasizing the vanity of a life lived for material gain without righteousness. In ancient Israelite culture, wealth was often directly tied to agricultural labor or skilled craftsmanship. The concept of יָגָע would have been understood as the concrete fruit of one's physical exertion—the harvested crop, the crafted item, or the traded goods. This differs from some modern, more abstract concepts of wealth (e.g., stocks, digital assets). The term assumes a direct, tangible connection between personal toil and material reward. פְּרִי (perî, H6529) — 'fruit' or 'produce'; more general for agricultural yield or result, not exclusively tied to toil. כֶּסֶף (keseph, H3701) — 'silver' or 'money'; a specific medium of wealth, not necessarily the product of labor. הוֹן (hôn, H1952) — 'wealth' or 'riches'; a broader term for possessions, which could be inherited, not solely earned.

Word Details