Lexical Summary naham: growling, roaring Original Word: נַהַם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance roaring From naham; a snarl -- roaring. see HEBREW naham NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom naham Definition growling (of a lion) NASB Translation growling (1), roaring (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs נַ֫הַם noun [masculine] growling of lion; — figurative of king's wrath Proverbs 19:12, compare Proverbs 20:2. Topical Lexicon Semantic Range and Imagery The verb נַהַם evokes the guttural, resonant sound of a lion when it roars. Throughout the Ancient Near East, the lion’s roar symbolized irresistible power, sudden dread, and the presence of a dominant ruler in his territory. Scripture harnesses that cultural resonance to portray the awe-inspiring gravity of a king’s anger and, by extension, the fear of divine judgment that stands behind earthly authorities (Romans 13:1–4). Occurrences in Proverbs 1. Proverbs 19:12 – “A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.” In both proverbs Solomon draws on court life to warn subjects concerning royal displeasure. The covenant community was expected to respect the God-appointed office of the king. To provoke such authority invited consequences as swift and irreversible as a predator’s strike. Theological Themes Royal Representation: Israel’s king served as the visible vice-regent of Yahweh. Therefore the roar-imagery points beyond human monarchy to the ultimate Sovereign whose wrath is likewise awesome and whose favor refreshes (Psalm 2:10–12). Wisdom and Restraint: The parallelism associating royal wrath with mortal danger motivates prudent speech and conduct (Proverbs 15:1). Wisdom recognizes authority structures as divinely instituted safeguards, not mere social conventions. Justice and Mercy: The lion’s roar contrasts with life-giving “dew.” Together they remind hearers that rulers may display wrath or favor, but both are undergirded by God’s moral order. Righteous living seeks the “dew” side of the parallel by walking uprightly (Proverbs 16:14–15). Historical Context In Near-Eastern palaces, audiences with kings involved real uncertainty; one rash word could determine life or death (Esther 4:11). Proverbs, likely compiled during the united monarchy or early divided kingdom, reflects this political reality. The language of the lion returns in Assyrian royal inscriptions, underlining that such imagery was commonplace and easily understood by ancient readers. Practical Ministry Applications Pastoral Counsel: Teach believers to honor present-day authorities, understanding that civil order is ordained to curb chaos (1 Peter 2:13–17). Conflict Resolution: The sobering picture of royal wrath encourages measured, peaceable dialogue, especially with those possessing greater leverage. Leadership Ethics: Christian leaders are cautioned that their own “roar” must mirror God’s righteous indignation, not personal irritation (James 1:19–20). Christological Reflections Jesus Christ embodies both the Lion of Judah (Revelation 5:5) and the gentle Shepherd (John 10:11). His holy wrath against sin was displayed in cleansing the temple (Matthew 21:12–13), while His favor refreshes the weary (Matthew 11:28–30). The duality hinted at by נַהַם ultimately converges in the gospel, where divine anger toward sin meets favor in the atoning sacrifice of the cross (Romans 5:8–9). Homiletical Suggestions – Contrast the king’s roar with the dew of favor to highlight the gospel’s movement from condemnation to grace. – Use contemporary analogies (e.g., courtroom verdicts) to illustrate the immediacy and finality of royal decrees. – Invite hearers to examine their posture toward authority, seeing submission as an act of faith in God’s providence. Related Biblical Imagery Lion roar: Amos 3:8; Hosea 11:10 – prophetic symbolism of divine voice. Dew of favor: Hosea 14:5 – restoration motif. Royal wrath: Esther 7:7 – courtly fear dynamics. Conclusion נַהַם, though sparse in occurrence, thunders through Scripture as a potent reminder that wrath and favor ultimately belong to the King of kings. Those who heed the roar find safety by seeking His gracious dew. Forms and Transliterations נַ֣הַם נהם na·ham nahamLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Proverbs 19:12 HEB: נַ֣הַם כַּ֭כְּפִיר זַ֣עַף NAS: wrath is like the roaring of a lion, KJV: wrath [is] as the roaring of a lion; INT: the roaring of a lion wrath Proverbs 20:2 2 Occurrences |
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