Lexical Summary yaeph: Weary, faint Original Word: יָעַף Strong's Exhaustive Concordance faint, cause to fly, be weary self A primitive root; to tire (as if from wearisome flight) -- faint, cause to fly, (be) weary (self). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to be weary, faint NASB Translation become exhausted (2), become weary (3), becomes weary (1), extreme (1), grow weary (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. [יָעֵף] verb be weary, faint (Arabic  run and shew weariness) — Qal Perfect וְיָעֵ֑פוּ consecutive Jeremiah 51:58,64; Imperfect יִיעַף Isaiah 40:28; וַיִּעָ֑ף Isaiah 44:12; יִָֽעֲפוּ Isaiah 40:30; יִיעָ֑פוּ Isaiah 40:31; Jeremiah 2:24; יִעָ֑פוּ Habakkuk 2:13; — be or grow weary Jeremiah 2:24 (in seeking); = exhaust onself fruitlessly Habakkuk 2:13 ("" יגע), hence Jeremiah 51:58,64 (repeated by error from Jeremiah 51:58); of ׳י (negative) Isaiah 40:28 ("" יגע); youth Isaiah 40:30 ("" id.); the god-fearing Isaiah 40:31 ("" id.); be faint from lack of water Isaiah 44:12 ("" אֵין כֹּחַ from hunger). Hoph`al Participle wearied Daniel 9:21 מֻעָף בִּיעָף (see יְעָף). Topical Lexicon Word Usage and Narrative SettingsThe term appears ten times, moving through a remarkable sweep of settings—battlefields (Judges), prophetic poetry (Isaiah, Habakkuk), denunciations of idolatry and imperial hubris (Isaiah, Jeremiah), personal prophetic prayer (Daniel), and earthy moral exhortation (Jeremiah). In each setting it marks a boundary: where human strength ends and either divine help or divine judgment begins. Physical Weariness in Battle and Labor • Judges 8:15 portrays Gideon’s three hundred as “exhausted,” yet still pursuing the Midianite kings. The word highlights both their vulnerability and the faith-driven perseverance that secured victory. Spiritual Fatigue and Divine Renewal Nowhere is the contrast sharper than in Isaiah 40. “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:30-31). The Creator “will not grow tired or weary” (verse 28), so the exhausted find hope—not in themselves, but in Him who is tireless. The term thus serves the prophet’s call to faith: human frailty met by divine sufficiency. Untamed Desire and Moral Weariness Jeremiah 2:24 uses the word negatively: pursuers of a wild donkey “need not weary themselves” because its unbridled passion makes capture easy. The verse turns physical exhaustion into a moral lesson—unchecked desire wears out the seeker as surely as idolatry drains a nation. God’s Messenger and Supernatural Swiftness A striking nuance surfaces in Daniel 9:21. Gabriel comes “in swift flight,” the same root that elsewhere signals fatigue. The juxtaposition is intentional: while mortals falter, the ministering spirit moves with unhindered rapidity at God’s command. What exhausts humanity is effortless for the heavenly envoy. Ministry Themes and Pastoral Application 1. Human limitation is universal—warriors, craftsmen, nations, and even youth succumb. For preaching and discipleship the passages invite believers to exchange striving for trusting, to labor in the Lord rather than in vain, and to remember that the God who sends Gabriel swiftly is the same who renews strength for those who hope in Him. Forms and Transliterations הַיְּעֵפִ֖ים היעפים וְיִֽעֲפ֥וּ וְיָעֵ֑פוּ וְיָעֵֽפוּ׃ וַיִּיעָֽף׃ וייעף׃ ויעפו ויעפו׃ יִיעַ֖ף יִיעָ֔פוּ יִיעָֽפוּ׃ יִעָֽפוּ׃ ייעף ייעפו ייעפו׃ יעפו׃ מֻעָ֣ף מעף haiyeeFim hay·yə·‘ê·p̄îm hayyə‘êp̄îm mu‘āp̄ mu·‘āp̄ muAf vaiyiAf veyaEfu veyiaFu way·yî·‘āp̄ wayyî‘āp̄ wə·yā·‘ê·p̄ū wə·yi·‘ă·p̄ū wəyā‘êp̄ū wəyi‘ăp̄ū yî‘ap̄ yi‘āp̄ū yî‘āp̄ū yi·‘ā·p̄ū yî·‘ā·p̄ū yî·‘ap̄ yiAf yiAfuLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Judges 8:15 HEB: נִתֵּ֛ן לַאֲנָשֶׁ֥יךָ הַיְּעֵפִ֖ים לָֽחֶם׃ INT: give to your men faint bread Isaiah 40:28 Isaiah 40:30 Isaiah 40:31 Isaiah 44:12 Jeremiah 2:24 Jeremiah 51:58 Jeremiah 51:64 Daniel 9:21 Habakkuk 2:13 10 Occurrences |
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