Lexical Summary yoneqeth: Shoot, branch, sprout Original Word: יוֹנֶקֶת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance tender branch, young twig Feminine of yowneq; a sprout -- (tender) branch, young twig. see HEBREW yowneq NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfem. of yoneq Definition a young shoot, twig NASB Translation shoots (5), young twigs (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [יוֺנֶ֫קֶת] noun feminine young shoot, twig (= foregoing) — יוֺנַקְתּוֺ Job 8:16 2t.; יוֺנְקוֺתָיו Hosea 14:7; יֹנְקוֺתָיו Ezekiel 17:22; יוֺנְקוֺתֶיהָ Psalm 80:12; — shoot, twig, of tree Job 14:7; cf wicked under figure of tree Job 8:16; Job 15:30; Israel under figure of olive-tree Hosea 14:7, of cedar Ezekiel 17:22, of vine Psalm 80:12. Topical Lexicon Definition and Imagery יוֹנֶקֶת (yōneqet) pictures the tender offshoot or young sprig that draws its life from a larger trunk or vine. In every occurrence the word evokes three intertwined ideas: (1) visible vitality that comes from hidden roots, (2) vulnerability to scorching heat, fire or cutting, and (3) expectation of future growth that extends far beyond the point of origin. Occurrences and Immediate Contexts 1. Job 8:16 – Bildad likens the seeming prosperity of the ungodly to a luxuriant plant whose “shoots spread over the garden.” The image stresses transitory flourishing that depends on external circumstances. Theological Themes 1. Divine Sovereignty over Growth and Decline The same God who allows shoots to spread (Job 8:16; Psalm 80:11) can wither them (Job 15:30). Prosperity or adversity never falls outside His governance. Job 14:7 anchors hope in the persistent life resident within the stump, anticipating resurrection motifs later clarified in Scripture. Hosea 14:6 reaffirms that repentance opens the way for renewed vitality. Psalm 80 and Hosea 14 locate the yonēqet within Israel’s story—chosen, disciplined, yet ultimately destined to flourish. The imagery ties the nation’s fortunes to fidelity to the LORD. Ezekiel 17:22’s “tender twig” portrays a divinely planted Davidic king whose reign will tower over every opposing power. The scene intentionally echoes earlier promises (for example, 2 Samuel 7) and foreshadows the righteous Branch unveiled in the New Testament. Historical and Prophetic Significance • Pre-exilic: Psalm 80 probably reflects the height of Israel’s influence followed by Assyrian pressure, interpreting lost dominion as broken branches needing divine attention. Practical Ministry Applications 1. Encouragement in Apparent Ruin Like Job’s felled tree, believers facing devastating loss can expect God to bring forth new “shoots” as they cling to Him. Bildad’s lush imagery that soon fades and Eliphaz’s scorched shoots caution against equating material success with divine favor. Healthy shoots depend on deep roots. Ministries that prioritize Scripture, prayer and obedience cultivate believers who withstand fiery trial. The transplanting of the cedar twig (Ezekiel 17:22) inspires confidence that the Lord Himself establishes gospel witness in unlikely soil, nourishing global fruitfulness. Christological and Eschatological Reflections Ezekiel’s yonēqet directs eyes to the “shoot from the stump of Jesse” (Isaiah 11:1, using a different Hebrew term but the same concept). In Jesus Christ the fragile-looking twig becomes the eternal King whose kingdom fills the whole earth. His death appeared to fell the tree, yet on the third day the most glorious sprout burst forth, guaranteeing the final restoration pictured in Hosea 14 and the everlasting flourishing of all who abide in Him (John 15:5). Forms and Transliterations וְ֝יֹֽנַקְתּ֗וֹ וינקתו יֹֽ֭נַקְתּוֹ יֹֽנְקוֹתָ֔יו יֹֽנְקוֹתָיו֙ יֹֽנַקְתּ֥וֹ יֽוֹנְקוֹתֶֽיהָ׃ יונקותיה׃ ינקותיו ינקתו veyonakTo wə·yō·naq·tōw wəyōnaqtōw yō·naq·tōw yō·nə·qō·w·ṯāw yō·wn·qō·w·ṯe·hā yonakTo yōnaqtōw yonekoTav yōnəqōwṯāw YonkoTeiha yōwnqōwṯehāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 8:16 HEB: וְעַ֥ל גַּ֝נָּת֗וֹ יֹֽנַקְתּ֥וֹ תֵצֵֽא׃ NAS: the sun, And his shoots spread KJV: the sun, and his branch shooteth forth INT: over his garden and his shoots spread Job 14:7 Job 15:30 Psalm 80:11 Ezekiel 17:22 Hosea 14:6 6 Occurrences |
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