Original Word: יָחֵף
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: yacheph
Pronunciation: yah-KHAYF
Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-khafe')
Definition: Barefoot
Meaning: unsandalled

barefoot, being unshod

From an unused root meaning to take off the shoes; unsandalled -- barefoot, being unshod.

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
barefoot
NASB Translation
barefoot (4), unshod (1).

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.

Word Origin: From the root חָפַף (chaphaph), which means to strip or to be bare.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of being barefoot does not have a direct one-to-one correspondence in the Greek New Testament. However, the idea of humility and submission, which can be symbolized by being barefoot, is reflected in various Greek terms related to humility and servitude, such as ταπεινός (tapeinos, Strong's Greek 5011) meaning humble or lowly.

Usage: The term יָחֵף (yachēph) is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe a state of being barefoot, often symbolizing humility, poverty, or captivity.

Context: The Hebrew word יָחֵף (yachēph) appears in several contexts within the Old Testament, primarily to denote the state of being barefoot. This term is often associated with expressions of mourning, humility, or subjugation. For instance, in Isaiah 20:2-4, the prophet Isaiah is instructed by God to walk barefoot and naked as a sign against Egypt and Cush, symbolizing their impending captivity and humiliation: "At that time the LORD spoke through Isaiah son of Amoz, saying, 'Go, remove the sackcloth from your waist and the sandals from your feet.' So he did, walking around naked and barefoot. Then the LORD said, 'Just as My servant Isaiah has gone naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and omen against Egypt and Cush, so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old alike, naked and barefoot, with bared buttocks—to Egypt’s shame.'"

The act of being barefoot in biblical times often carried significant symbolic weight. It could represent a state of vulnerability or submission, as seen in the case of captives or those in mourning. In some instances, it also indicated a holy or sacred experience, as when Moses was instructed to remove his sandals at the burning bush (Exodus 3:5), though this specific instance does not use the term יָחֵף.

The concept of being barefoot is thus multifaceted, encompassing themes of humility, divine instruction, and prophetic symbolism. The use of יָחֵף in the Hebrew Bible underscores the cultural and religious significance of footwear—or the lack thereof—in ancient Israelite society.

וְיָחֵ֑ף וְיָחֵֽף׃ ויחף ויחף׃ יָחֵ֑ף יחף מִיָּחֵ֔ף מיחף mî·yā·ḥêp̄ miyaChef mîyāḥêp̄ veyaChef wə·yā·ḥêp̄ wəyāḥêp̄ yā·ḥêp̄ yaChef yāḥêp̄Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts