Lexical Summary yaraq: Green, herbs, vegetables Original Word: יָרָק Strong's Exhaustive Concordance green, herbs From the same as yereq; properly, green; concretely, a vegetable -- green, herbs. see HEBREW yereq NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as yereq Definition herbs, herbage NASB Translation green (2), vegetable (2), vegetables (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs יָרָק noun [masculine] herbs (collective), herbage (green, greens) — absolute יָרָק Deuteronomy 11:10 2t.; construct יְרַק Isaiah 37:27 = 2 Kings 19:26; — גַּןיָֿרָק Deuteronomy 11:10; 1 Kings 21:2; אֲרֻחַת יָרָק Proverbs 15:17; as substantive, יְרַק דֶּשֶׁא Isaiah 37:27 = 2 Kings 19:26 green shoots of grass ("" עֵשֶׂב שָׂדֶה, etc.) Topical Lexicon Concept Overview יָרָק (yarāq) denotes the edible green plants—vegetables, herbs, leafy shoots—cultivated for daily sustenance in Israel’s agrarian society. Scripture employs the term both literally, for produce grown in family plots, and figuratively, to contrast human frailty with divine permanence or to highlight spiritual priorities over material luxury. Occurrences and Contexts 1. Deuteronomy 11:10—contrasts Egypt’s foot-irrigated “vegetable garden” with the rain-dependent hills of Canaan, underscoring Israel’s call to rely on Yahweh rather than human engineering. Agricultural and Historical Background Vegetable plots in the ancient Near East were small, intensively tended, and usually positioned near water sources. In Egypt, the annual Nile inundation made irrigation predictable; hence Deuteronomy’s contrast accentuates the new land’s dependence on seasonal rains. Israelite house-gardens typically grew cucumbers, leeks, onions, lettuce, and herbs, providing essential vitamins alongside grain staples. Foot-powered waterwheels or channels were common in Egypt but not in hill-country Israel, where cisterns and early-rain prayers shaped Israel’s spiritual consciousness (see Deuteronomy 11:11-14). Literary and Theological Themes • Reliance on God: Deuteronomy teaches that the success of even the simplest greens stems from divine provision, forming a backdrop for Israel’s covenant obedience. Ministry and Discipleship Implications 1. Stewardship: Gardens remind believers to cultivate creation responsibly, trusting God for the increase (1 Corinthians 3:7). Summary Throughout Scripture יָרָק serves as a humble yet potent emblem—of everyday provision, ethical integrity, fleeting human strength, and the primacy of love and faith. The believer who heeds these lessons will cultivate gratitude, justice, and devotion, bearing fruit that endures beyond the life-span of the green herb itself. Forms and Transliterations הַיָּרָֽק׃ הירק׃ וִ֣ירַק וירק יָ֭רָק יָרָ֗ק ירק haiyaRak hay·yā·rāq hayyārāq Virak wî·raq wîraq yā·rāq yaRak yārāq YarokLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 11:10 HEB: בְרַגְלְךָ֖ כְּגַ֥ן הַיָּרָֽק׃ NAS: it with your foot like a vegetable garden. KJV: as a garden of herbs: INT: your foot garden A vegetable 1 Kings 21:2 2 Kings 19:26 Proverbs 15:17 Isaiah 37:27 5 Occurrences |