Lexical Summary yacheph: Barefoot Original Word: יָחֵף Strong's Exhaustive Concordance barefoot, being unshod From an unused root meaning to take off the shoes; unsandalled -- barefoot, being unshod. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition barefoot NASB Translation barefoot (4), unshod (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs יָחֵף adjective barefoot, always absolute יָחֵף Isaiah 20:2 4t.; — הלך עָרוֺם וְיָחֵף Isaiah 20:2 (רַגְּלֶ֑ךָ נַעַלְךָ תַחֲלֹץ מֵעַל in preceding clause), Isaiah 20:3; הֹלֵךְ יָחֵף 2 Samuel 15:30; נָהַג יָחֵף Isaiah 20:3; apparently = substantive, מִנְעִי רַגְלֵךְ מִיָּחֵף Jeremiah 2:25 withhold thy foot from bareness (Syriac  discalceatio). יַחְצְאֵל, יַחֲצִיאֵל, יַחְצְאֵלִי see below חצה. Topical Lexicon Core Meaning יָחֵף (yaḥēf) denotes the state of being barefoot or unshod. The term conveys far more than the mere absence of footwear; in Scripture it functions as a vivid metaphor for vulnerability, mourning, judgment, and humility. Occurrences in Scripture • 2 Samuel 15:30 – David ascends the Mount of Olives “weeping… and he was barefoot,” outwardly displaying grief and humiliation while fleeing Absalom’s rebellion. Cultural and Historical Background In the Ancient Near East, sandals offered basic protection against rugged terrain and scorching heat. To appear barefoot in public was unusual and often deliberate. Theological Significance 1. Grief over Sin and Consequence David’s barefoot ascent encapsulates repentance and sorrow (cf. Psalm 51). His exposed feet mirror his exposed heart—stripped of royal trappings and casting himself upon God’s mercy. Isaiah’s prolonged barefoot ministry dramatizes the inevitability of divine judgment. Egypt and Cush trusted their own strength; their destiny is to be paraded barefoot, powerless before Assyria. Jeremiah’s generation prefers spiritual bondage to foreign gods. The prophet’s admonition, “Keep your feet from going bare,” pleads with Judah to avoid the disgrace that Isaiah foretold and history later confirmed in the Babylonian exile. Bare feet symbolize relinquishing self-reliance. As sandals absorb the heat of the ground, so worldly securities buffer the soul from feeling its need. Removal of sandals forces immediate contact with reality—physical and spiritual. Prophetic Symbolism Isaiah 20 stands as the Bible’s longest sustained use of יָחֵף. Three years of public, uncomfortable obedience by the prophet foreshadow three realities: For Judah, Isaiah’s spectacle is a merciful warning: alliances with Egypt cannot save. The gospel logic is clear—only covenant fidelity provides safety. Personal and Ministry Application • Visible Repentance – David’s example legitimizes outward acts that match inward contrition. Pastors may counsel tangible steps of humility when sin is exposed. Related Concepts • Holy Ground: Exodus 3:5; Joshua 5:15. Summary יָחֵף threads through Scripture as a silent yet forceful commentary on the human condition before God. Whether reflecting David’s brokenness, Isaiah’s prophetic obedience, Egypt’s impending humiliation, or Judah’s stubborn idolatry, the barefoot motif insists that true security is found only in covenant faithfulness to the LORD. Forms and Transliterations וְיָחֵ֑ף וְיָחֵֽף׃ ויחף ויחף׃ יָחֵ֑ף יחף מִיָּחֵ֔ף מיחף mî·yā·ḥêp̄ miyaChef mîyāḥêp̄ veyaChef wə·yā·ḥêp̄ wəyāḥêp̄ yā·ḥêp̄ yaChef yāḥêp̄Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 15:30 HEB: וְה֖וּא הֹלֵ֣ךְ יָחֵ֑ף וְכָל־ הָעָ֣ם NAS: and he walked barefoot. Then all KJV: and he went barefoot: and all the people INT: and he walked barefoot all the people Isaiah 20:2 Isaiah 20:3 Isaiah 20:4 Jeremiah 2:25 5 Occurrences |
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