Lexical Summary ayeph: Weary, exhausted, faint Original Word: עָיֵף Strong's Exhaustive Concordance faint, thirsty, weary From ayeph; languid -- faint, thirsty, weary. see HEBREW ayeph NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom iph Definition faint, weary NASB Translation faint (2), famished (2), parched (2), weary (11). Brown-Driver-Briggs עָיֵף adjective faint, weary; — ׳ע absolute Genesis 25:29 +; feminine עֲיֵפָה Jeremiah 31:25 +; plural עֲיֵפִים Judges 8:4 +; — from exertion and hunger Genesis 25:20,30 (J), Judges 8:4,5; Deuteronomy 25:18 (+ יָגֵעַ), compare Isaiah 5:27, ׳הָנִיחוּ לֶע Isaiah 28:12 (figurative), 2 Samuel 16:14 (si vera lectio, proper name, of a location needed, compare We Dr HPS); + רָעֵב, צָמֵא 2 Samuel 17:29; specifically from thirst Isaiah 29:8 (simile), Job 22:7, ׳נֶפֶשׁ ע Proverbs 25:25 and (figurative) Jeremiah 31:25 ("" דָּֽאֲבָה); hence אֶרֶץ צִיָּה וְעָיֵף Psalm 63:2 (figurative, on masculine see KöSynt. § 334 f.), compare Psalm 143:6 (simile), Isaiah 32:2 (opposed to צֵל, in simile); ׳ע that is beast Isaiah 46:1 — See also foregoing. I. עִיר see below I. עור. Topical Lexicon Scope of the Termעָיֵף portrays physical exhaustion, parching thirst, and the soul-level depletion that follows prolonged struggle. Its Old Testament appearances trace a progression from simple bodily fatigue to profound spiritual need, and finally to divine promise and restoration. Occurrences and Contextual Themes Genesis 25:29–30 presents the foundational picture: Esau’s bodily depletion after hunting. From that starting point the word describes (1) Israel’s vulnerability in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 25:18), (2) the rigors of battle and pursuit (Judges 8:4–5; 2 Samuel 16:14; 2 Samuel 17:29), (3) societal indifference to human need (Job 22:7), (4) the believer’s inner drought (Psalm 63:1; Psalm 143:6; Proverbs 25:25), and (5) prophetic images of judgment and deliverance (Isaiah 5:27; Isaiah 28:12; Isaiah 29:8; Isaiah 32:2; Isaiah 46:1; Jeremiah 31:25). Pentateuch Foundations: Esau’s Weariness The twin narratives in Genesis highlight how bodily need can cloud discernment. Esau’s cry, “I am famished” (Genesis 25:30), shows appetite eclipsing covenant privilege. Deuteronomy recalls a national counterpart: Amalek “attacked all your stragglers when you were tired and weary” (Deuteronomy 25:18). Both scenes tie weariness to susceptibility—Esau to a rash oath, Israel to a surprise ambush. Historical Narratives: Weariness in Warfare and Flight Judges 8 depicts Gideon and three hundred men “exhausted yet still in pursuit” (Judges 8:4). Their perseverance despite depletion underscores faith-driven endurance. David, fleeing Absalom, arrives at the Jordan “weary” (2 Samuel 16:14). Yet God supplies through loyal friends who acknowledge that “the people are hungry, weary, and thirsty” (2 Samuel 17:29). The motif: covenant community alleviates fatigue incurred in righteous conflict. Wisdom and Worship Literature: Soul-Thirst and Refreshment Job rebukes the ungodly for refusing water to the weary (Job 22:7), marking relief of exhaustion as basic righteousness. The Psalms transpose the term into the realm of worship: “My flesh faints for You in a dry and weary land without water” (Psalm 63:1); “my soul thirsts for You like a parched land” (Psalm 143:6). Proverbs 25:25 offers the remedy: “Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.” Physical imagery becomes a metaphor for gospel-hope. Prophetic Visions: Weariness as Metaphor for Spiritual Deprivation Isaiah layers the word with eschatological nuance. The invading army of Isaiah 5:27 “never grows weary,” a chilling portrait of relentless judgment. Yet Isaiah 28:12 holds out YHWH’s invitation: “This is the place of rest, give rest to the weary”—an offer Israel spurns. Isaiah 32:2 foresees a righteous king whose reign provides “streams of water in a dry land,” shielding the weary. Conversely, idols burden their carriers: “These things you carry are burdensome, a load to the weary animal” (Isaiah 46:1). Jeremiah draws the line to restoration: “I will refresh the weary soul and satisfy all who are faint” (Jeremiah 31:25), anticipating the New Covenant promises of the same chapter. Divine Provision and Promise of Refreshment Across genres, human solutions prove inadequate; only the Lord ultimately relieves עָיֵף. Whether through Gideon’s eventual triumph, David’s suppliers in Mahanaim, or the prophetic pledge of Jeremiah 31, God Himself meets exhaustion. The theme culminates when Jesus echoes Jeremiah’s assurance: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Typological and Christological Trajectory Esau’s reckless barter foreshadows humanity’s tendency to exchange eternal birthright for momentary relief. Gideon’s perseverance and David’s restoration prefigure Christ, who “grew weary on His journey” at Sychar’s well yet provided living water (John 4:6–14). The Servant-King of Isaiah satisfies parched souls, fulfilling Jeremiah’s oracle and establishing a kingdom where true Sabbath rest is realized (Hebrews 4:9–11). Pastoral and Ministry Implications 1. Address the whole person. Scripture mingles bodily fatigue with spiritual thirst; wise ministry recognizes both dimensions. Summary עָיֵף traverses Scripture as a marker of human limitation and a canvas for divine compassion. From Esau’s field to Jeremiah’s promise, the weary find either peril or refreshment depending on their response to God’s provision, ultimately embodied in the Lord Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations וְעָיֵ֣ף וְעָיֵ֥ף ועיף לֶֽעָיֵ֔ף לַעֲיֵפָֽה׃ לעיף לעיפה׃ עֲיֵפִ֑ים עֲיֵפִ֖ים עֲיֵפִ֣ים עֲיֵפָ֑ה עֲיֵפָ֖ה עֲיֵפָֽה׃ עָיֵ֔ף עָיֵ֖ף עָיֵ֣ף עָיֵ֤ף עָיֵֽף׃ עיף עיף׃ עיפה עיפה׃ עיפים ‘ă·yê·p̄āh ‘ă·yê·p̄îm ‘ā·yêp̄ ‘āyêp̄ ‘ăyêp̄āh ‘ăyêp̄îm aYef ayeFah ayeFim la‘ăyêp̄āh la·‘ă·yê·p̄āh laayeFah le‘āyêp̄ le·‘ā·yêp̄ leaYef veaYef wə‘āyêp̄ wə·‘ā·yêp̄Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 25:29 HEB: הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה וְה֥וּא עָיֵֽף׃ NAS: in from the field and he was famished; KJV: from the field, and he [was] faint: INT: the field and he was famished Genesis 25:30 Deuteronomy 25:18 Judges 8:4 Judges 8:5 2 Samuel 16:14 2 Samuel 17:29 Job 22:7 Psalm 63:1 Psalm 143:6 Proverbs 25:25 Isaiah 5:27 Isaiah 28:12 Isaiah 29:8 Isaiah 32:2 Isaiah 46:1 Jeremiah 31:25 17 Occurrences |
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