3288. yeaph

Lexical Summary

yeaph: Weary, faint

Original Word: יְעָף
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: yaph
Pronunciation: yay-AHF
Phonetic Spelling: (yeh-awf')
KJV: swiftly
NASB: weariness
Word Origin: [from H3286 (יָעַף - become weary)]

1. fatigue
2. (adverb) utterly exhausted

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

fatigue

From ya'aph; fatigue (adverb, utterly exhausted):

see HEBREW ya'aph

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from yaeph
Definition
weariness, faintness
NASB Translation
weariness (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

יְעָף noun [masculine] weariness, faintness (Aramaism, according to Lag^{BN 175}); — מֻעָף בִּיעָף weary with weariness, utterly weary Daniel 9:21 (from winged flight, said of Gabriel).

II. יעף (√ of following; compare Arabic ascend a mountain, hill).

Topical Lexicon

Range of Meaning

יְעָף denotes vigorous, rapid movement—“swift flight.” It suggests decisive action unhindered by fatigue or delay, highlighting the immediacy with which a task is carried out.

Biblical Usage

Only once does Scripture employ the noun, in Daniel 9:21, where Gabriel arrives “in swift flight”. The context is Daniel’s earnest prayer of confession and petition for Jerusalem. While Daniel is still praying, Gabriel is dispatched and arrives with the divine answer. The single use is therefore concentrated but weighty, showcasing:

• The readiness of heavenly messengers to obey the LORD.
• The LORD’s eagerness to respond to genuine, humble intercession.
• The contrast between human limitation and angelic mobility.

Historical Background

Daniel’s prayer occurs late in the Babylonian captivity (circa 539 BC). Judah’s remnant faced uncertainty about return and restoration. Gabriel’s rapid appearance underscores that the exile has not distanced God from His covenant people; He remains attentive, sovereign, and able to act without hindrance from earthly powers.

Theological Themes

1. Divine Responsiveness: God hears and answers before the petition ends (Isaiah 65:24).
2. Angelic Ministry: Angels serve “those who will inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14). Gabriel’s speed illustrates their sufficiency for the tasks assigned by God.
3. Assurance of Prophetic Reliability: The swift messenger delivers one of Scripture’s most detailed Messianic prophecies (the Seventy Weeks), confirming that God’s redemptive timeline is precise.
4. Prayer and Providence: Daniel’s disciplined prayer life (Daniel 6:10) becomes the human means through which God’s predetermined plan is announced.

Practical and Ministry Implications

• Encourage believers that sincere, Scripture-saturated prayer is never wasted. God may respond more swiftly than perceived.
• Strengthen confidence in angelic protection and service, while keeping focus on the LORD who commands them.
• When teaching prophecy, highlight that the same God who precisely governed Gabriel’s arrival will just as surely fulfill remaining prophetic events.

Related Scriptures

• Psalm 147:15 – “His word runs swiftly.”
• Luke 1:19 – Gabriel stands “in the presence of God” and is “sent” to deliver Good News, revealing continuity in his swift service.
• Revelation 22:7 – “Behold, I am coming quickly,” linking the motif of swiftness to Christ’s promised return.

Forms and Transliterations

בִּיעָ֔ף ביעף bî‘āp̄ bî·‘āp̄ biAf

Englishman's Concordance

Daniel 9:21
HEB: בַּתְּחִלָּה֙ מֻעָ֣ף בִּיעָ֔ף נֹגֵ֣עַ אֵלַ֔י
NAS: to me in [my] extreme weariness about the time
KJV: being caused to fly swiftly, touched
INT: previously in extreme weariness came about

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 3288
1 Occurrence

bî·‘āp̄ — 1 Occ.