Lexical Summary nichum: Comfort, Consolation Original Word: נִחוּם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance comfortable, repenting Or nichum {nee-khoom'}; from nacham; properly, consoled; abstractly, solace -- comfort(-able), repenting. see HEBREW nacham NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom nacham Definition comfort, compassion NASB Translation comfort (1), comforting (1), compassions (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [נִחוּם] noun masculine 1 comfort, plural נִחֻמִים Isaiah 57:18; Zechariah 1:13. 2 compassion, suffix נִחוּיָ֑ Hosea 11:8 (We reads רַחֲמָ֑י). Topical Lexicon Meaning and Range of Usage The noun נִחוּם denotes a movement of heart that relieves sorrow or restrains wrath. It blends the ideas of tender “comfort” (Isaiah 57:18; Zechariah 1:13) and inwardly stirred “compassion” (Hosea 11:8). Emerging from the broader verbal root “to be moved with pity,” the word highlights not merely a feeling but the decisive act of easing another’s distress. Occurrences and Context Isaiah 57:18 sets נִחוּם in the promise of restoration after the people’s idolatry: “I will guide him and restore comfort to him and to those who mourn”. The verse anchors comfort in divine healing and guidance. Hosea 11:8 places the term within the anguish of covenant love: “My heart is turned within Me; My compassion is stirred.” Here נִחוּם explains why God does not abandon Ephraim. His justice never eclipses His covenant mercy. Zechariah 1:13 records the initial oracle of the post-exilic prophet: “So the LORD spoke kind and comforting words to the angel who was speaking with me.” נִחוּם signals the shift from exile’s discipline to promised renewal. Theological Emphasis 1. Divine Initiative. In every text God is the subject or source of נִחוּם. Comfort is not self-generated by the afflicted but gifted by the sovereign LORD who both wounded and heals (cf. Deuteronomy 32:39). Christological Connections Luke applies Isaiah’s wider theme of comfort to the infant Messiah: Simeon awaited “the consolation of Israel” (Luke 2:25). Jesus Himself embodies נִחוּם, offering rest to the weary (Matthew 11:28-30) and promising the Spirit as “another Advocate” (John 14:16). In the cross, judgment and compassion meet (Psalm 85:10), fulfilling Hosea’s tension by satisfying justice while extending mercy. Post-resurrection, the risen Christ speaks “peace” to fearful disciples, echoing Zechariah’s “kind and comforting words.” Practical Implications for Ministry • Pastoral Care. God’s pattern of initiating comfort instructs shepherds to pursue the hurting, not merely wait for them. Related Terms and Concepts Nacham (verb) – to console, relent. Rachamim – mercy or tender love, often paired with נִחוּם in prophetic poetry. Paraklētos (Greek) – advocate, comforter; used for the Holy Spirit (John 14-16), linking New Testament ministry to the Older Testament theme. נִחוּם thus stands as a concise testimony that the God who judges is also the God who comforts, guaranteeing that His redemptive plan moves inexorably from sorrow to solace for all who trust in Him. Forms and Transliterations נִֽחֻמִ֛ים נִחֻמִֽים׃ נִחוּמָֽי׃ נחומי׃ נחמים נחמים׃ ni·ḥū·māy ni·ḥu·mîm nichuMai nichuMim niḥūmāy niḥumîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 57:18 HEB: וְאַנְחֵ֕הוּ וַאֲשַׁלֵּ֧ם נִֽחֻמִ֛ים ל֖וֹ וְלַאֲבֵלָֽיו׃ NAS: him and restore comfort to him and to his mourners, KJV: him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners. INT: will lead and restore comfort his mourners Hosea 11:8 Zechariah 1:13 3 Occurrences |
    |