יֶרֶק

יֶרֶק

properly, pallor, i.e. hence, the yellowish green of young and sickly vegetation; concretely, verdure

Definition

The Hebrew word יֶרֶק (yereq) primarily refers to the color and quality of fresh, young, or tender vegetation. It denotes a yellowish-green hue, often associated with new growth, but can also imply the paleness of sickly plants. In its concrete sense, it means 'verdure' or 'green plants,' encompassing grass and leafy vegetation suitable as food. For example, in Genesis 1:30 and 9:3, it broadly describes the green plants given to all creatures and humanity for food, while in Exodus 10:15 and Psalm 37:2, it emphasizes the fresh, ephemeral quality of grass that can quickly wither.

Biblical Usage

יֶרֶק is used six times in the Old Testament, primarily in narrative and poetic contexts to describe vegetation as food or as a symbol of transience. It appears in the creation and post-flood dietary provisions (Genesis 1:30, 9:3), in the description of the plague of locusts consuming all greenery in Egypt (Exodus 10:15), in Balaam's prophecy about Moab being stripped bare (Numbers 22:4), in a psalm comparing the wicked to fading grass (Psalm 37:2), and in a prophetic oracle against Moab (Isaiah 15:6). Its usage consistently ties to themes of provision, destruction, or fragility.

Etymology

יֶרֶק derives from the root יָרָק (yaraq, H3417), which conveys the sense of being pale, green, or yellowish. This root is linked to the idea of vacuity of color, leading to the noun's focus on the hue of vegetation. Cognates in other Semitic languages also relate to being green or pale, reinforcing its connection to the visual quality of plants.

Semantic Range

יֶרֶק enriches biblical themes of God's provision and the transient nature of life. In Genesis, it highlights God's design for sustaining all creatures through vegetation. In Psalms and prophecies, its association with grass that withers (Psalm 37:2) underscores human mortality and the fleeting success of the wicked, pointing readers to trust in God's eternal justice. Understanding this Hebrew term deepens appreciation for how Scripture uses natural imagery to convey spiritual truths about dependence on God and the impermanence of earthly things. In ancient Israelite culture, יֶרֶק would have been understood as the essential, fresh greenery that provided sustenance for both people and livestock, especially in an agrarian society. Its dual nuance—vibrant yet vulnerable—resonated in a land where seasonal rains dictated growth and drought could quickly turn green fields pale and barren. This contrasts with modern, often romanticized views of 'green' as merely lush or healthy, missing the inherent fragility implied in the term. עֵשֶׂב (eseb, H6212) — a broader term for herb or plant, often emphasizing cultivated growth. דֶּשֶׁא (deshe', H1877) — tender new grass or fresh shoots, focusing on young, succulent growth. חָצִיר (chatsir, H2682) — grass or hay, typically referring to dried or mature vegetation used as fodder.

Word Details