ya.ga describes laboring at a task, becoming worn out, or causing another to be wearied.

The dominant use describes labor or effort directed toward a task, sometimes portrayed as futile or without expected benefit. Other occurrences describe becoming physically or inwardly worn down, while forms in the Hiphil and Piel show causing someone else to be wearied or made to exert effort.

1. Laboring or exerting effort · dominant

   Qal forms describe work undertaken toward land, wealth, sorcery, or an intended result. In Joshua 24:13 the APB renders the clause about land "on which you had not labored," while Isaiah 49:4 and Jeremiah 51:58 place the effort in contexts called vain or "for nothing."

   Joshua 24:13Proverbs 23:4Isaiah 47:12Isaiah 49:4Isaiah 62:8Jeremiah 51:58
2. Becoming worn down or exhausted · common

   Qal forms portray strength failing after strain or amid distress. In 2 Samuel 23:10 the APB renders a hand that "grew weary" after striking down the Philistines; Isaiah 40:30–31 contrasts youths who "grow weary" with those who run without doing so, and Lamentations 5:5 joins weariness with having "no rest."

   2 Samuel 23:10Isaiah 40:28Isaiah 40:30Isaiah 40:31Isaiah 57:10Lamentations 5:5
3. Causing another to be wearied or to toil · occasional

   Hiphil and Piel forms place the action upon another person or group. In Isaiah 43:24 the APB renders the speaker's complaint, "you have made me serve with your sins and wearied me with your iniquities"; Joshua 7:3 similarly advises, "do not make all the people toil there."

   Joshua 7:3Ecclesiastes 10:15Isaiah 43:23Isaiah 43:24Malachi 2:17

In the Anselm Project Bible: Across these verses the APB uses expressions such as "labored," "toiled," "grew weary," and "wearied." Those renderings confirm the clauses' overall presentation rather than assigning a fixed English equivalent to every form.