Lexical Summary yagah: removed Original Word: יָגָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance to push away; be removed A primitive root (probably rather the same as yagah through the common idea of dissatisfaction); to push away; -be removed. see HEBREW yagah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to thrust away NASB Translation removed (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. [יָגָה] verb only Hiph`il Perfect3masculine singular הֹגָה (Köi. 584) thrust away (Syriac יָגוּר see below I. גור above יָגְלִי see below גלה above יגן (√ of following; compare Arabic Topical Lexicon Textual Occurrence The verb appears once, in 2 Samuel 20:13: “After Amasa had been removed from the road, everyone went on with Joab to pursue Sheba son of Bichri”. The single usage anchors the term firmly to the episode that follows Absalom’s rebellion, when Judah’s and Israel’s forces hesitate until a corpse is cleared from their path. Narrative Setting and Historical Background After David’s restoration to the throne, Sheba incites yet another revolt (2 Samuel 20:1). David replaces Joab with Amasa to consolidate loyalty, but Joab murders Amasa while pretending reconciliation. Amasa’s body falls in the main highway that all troops must use to pursue Sheba. The soldiers halt, shocked and reluctant to step over their fallen commander. Only when a bystander drags the corpse from the road and covers it is the army free to resume its mission. The verb describes that decisive act of clearing the obstruction. Theological Themes 1. Hindrance versus mission: God’s people cannot advance while a scandalous obstacle remains in their midst. Removing it restores focus and unity. Related Biblical Motifs • Preparing the way: “Build up, build up, prepare the road; remove the obstacles out of the way of My people” (Isaiah 57:14). Practical Ministry Application • Church leadership: unresolved wrongdoing, especially among leaders, paralyzes congregational mission. Swift, righteous action restores momentum. Christological and Redemptive Connections Amasa’s death results from Joab’s self-interest; Christ’s death, by contrast, removes the ultimate obstacle—sin—so God’s people may advance unhindered to their eternal calling (Hebrews 10:19-22). Where Joab’s act violated covenant faithfulness, Christ’s sacrifice fulfills it, achieving the perfect clearing of the way to God. Illustrative Sermon Outline 1. The Road Blocked (2 Samuel 20:8-12) – sin’s disruptive power. Counseling and Discipleship Insights When counseling believers hindered by guilt or unresolved conflict, point to the necessity of honest repentance and practical steps that remove the obstacle, restoring fellowship and forward movement (Matthew 5:23-24; 1 John 1:9). Questions for Further Study 1. How does Joab’s pattern of expediency contrast with David’s covenant mindset? By tracing this lone verb through its vivid context, Scripture supplies enduring lessons about removing impediments to God-given mission, thereby calling every generation to vigilant holiness and energetic obedience. Forms and Transliterations הֹגָ֖ה הגה hō·ḡāh hoGah hōḡāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 20:13 HEB: כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר הֹגָ֖ה מִן־ הַֽמְסִלָּ֑ה NAS: As soon as he was removed from the highway, KJV: When he was removed out of the highway, INT: he removed from the highway |
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remove, repel; Arabic 
IV. repel) — כַּאֲשֶׁר הֹגָה מִןהַֿמְֿסִלָּה 
beat cloth (said of a fuller); in Hebrew only in derivatives wine-press).