Lexical Summary nacham: To comfort, to repent, to relent, to be sorry Original Word: נָחַם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance comfort self, ease one's self, repent, A primitive root; properly, to sigh, i.e. Breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e. (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavorably) to avenge (oneself) -- comfort (self), ease (one's self), repent(-er,-ing, self). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to be sorry, console oneself NASB Translation am sorry (1), appeased (1), become a consolation (1), change mind (6), change minds (1), changed mind (4), comfort (30), comforted (18), comforter (2), comforters (4), comforts (2), console (3), consolers (1), consoling (1), give rest (1), have compassion (2), moved to pity (1), regret (1), regretted (1), relent (5), relented (4), relenting (3), relents (1), relieved (1), repent (3), repented (2), sorry (6), think better (1), when the time of mourning was ended (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [נחם] verb Niph`al be sorry, console, oneself, etc. (only in derived species) (Late Hebrew Pi`el comfort; Phoenician in proper name Lzb322; ᵑ7 Pa`el = Late Hebrew, and derivatives; Christian-Palestinian Aramaic, Pa`el id., SchwIdioticon 54; Arabic  breathe pantingly (of horse)); — Niph`al Perfect נִחַם Amos 7:3 4t.; נִח֑ם Jeremiah 20:16 2t.; 1 singular נִחַמְתִּי Genesis 6:7 8t.; נִחָ֑מְתִּי Zechariah 8:14; 2masculine plural נִחַמְתֶּם Ezekiel 14:22; Imperfect יִנָּחֵם Exodus 13:17 6t.; וַיִּנָּ֫תֶם Genesis 6:6 6t.; + 5 t. Imperfect; Imperative הִנָּחֵם Exodus 32:12; Psalm 90:13.; Infinitive הִנָּחֵם Jeremiah 31:15; 1 Samuel 15:29; Participle נִחָם Judges 21:15 3t.; — 1 be sorry, moved to pity, have compassion, for others, absolute Jeremiah 15:6; with על Psalm 90:13; אֶל Judges 21:6; לְ Judges 21:15; מִן Judges 2:18. 2 be sorry, rue, suffer grief, repent, of one's own doings, absolute Exodus 13:17 (E), Psalm 106:45; Jeremiah 20:16; Joel 2:14; Zechariah 8:14; "" שׁקּר 1 Samuel 15:29 (twice in verse); מאס Job 42:6; שׁוב Jeremiah 4:28; Jeremiah 31:19; Jonah 3:9; חוּס Ezekiel 24:14; ׳לא נ, "" נשׂבע Psalm 110:4; c.עַל Amos 7:3,6; Jeremiah 8:6; Jeremiah 18:10; עלהֿרעה for ill done to others Exodus 32:12,14 (J), Jeremiah 18:8; Joel 2:13; Jonah 3:10; Jonah 4:2; אלהֿרעה 2 Samuel 24:16 = 1 Chronicles 21:15 (על), Jeremiah 26:8,13,19; Jeremiah 42:10; כְּי Genesis 6:6,7 (J), 1 Samuel 15:11,35. 3 comfort oneself, be comforted: absolute Genesis 38:12 (J) Psalm 77:3; Ezekiel 31:16; with עַל 2 Samuel 13:39; Jeremiah 31:15; על הרעה, concerning the evil Ezekiel 14:22; Ezekiel 32:31; אחרי Genesis 24:67 (J). 4 comfort oneself, ease oneself, by taking vengeance with מן Isaiah 1:24; על Isaiah 57:6. Piel Perfect נִחַם Isaiah 49:13; 8t. Perfect; Imperfect יְנַחֵם Job 29:25; 3masculine plural יְנַחֲמוּ Job 42:11; יְנַחֵמ֑וּן Zechariah 10:2 13t. Imperfect; Imperative נַחֲמוּ Isaiah 40:1 (twice in verse); Infinitive נַחֵם Isaiah 61:2; suffix נַחֲמוֺ Genesis 37:35 9t. Infinitive; Participle מְנַחֵם Lamentations 1:2, plural מְנַחֲמִים Psalm 69:21. + 11 t. Participle — comfort, console, absolute Genesis 37:35 (J), 1 Chronicles 19:3 = 2 Samuel 10:3; Psalm 69:21; Ecclesiastes 4:1 (twice in verse); Zechariah 10:2; Nahum 3:7; Lamentations 1:16; with accusative of person Genesis 50:21 (E) 2 Samuel 12:24; 1 Chronicles 7:21; 1 Chronicles 19:2; Job 2:11; Job 7:13; Job 21:34; Job 29:25; Ruth 2:13; Psalm 23:4; Psalm 71:21; Psalm 119:76; Psalm 119:82; Isaiah 12:1; Isaiah 22:4; Isaiah 40:1 (twice in verse); Isaiah 51:3 (twice in verse); Isaiah 51:12,19; Isaiah 61:2; Isaiah 66:13 (twice in verse); Ezekiel 14:23; Ezekiel 16:54; Zechariah 1:17; Lamentations 2:13; "" עזר Psalm 86:17; רַחֵם Isaiah 49:13; גאל Isaiah 52:9; שׂמּח Jeremiah 31:13; מן of thing Genesis 5:29 (J); על Jeremiah 16:7; Jeremiah 42:11; אל 2 Samuel 10:2 = על 1 Chronicles 19:2; מְנִחֲמֵי עמל Job 16:2; אֵין מְנַחֵם לְ Lamentations 1:2,9,17,21. Pual Perfect נֻחָ֑מָה Isaiah 54:11; Imperfect תְּנֻחָ֑מוּ Isaiah 66:13; be comforted, consoled. Hithpa. Perfect 1 singular וְהִנֶּחָ֑מְתּי (for ׳הִתְנ; but strike out Co) Ezekiel 5:13; Imperfect יִתְנֶחָ֑ם Deuteronomy 32:36 2t.; 1 singular אֶתְנֶח֑ם Psalm 119:52; Infinitive הִתְנַחֵם Genesis 37:35; Participle מִתְנַחֵם Genesis 27:42 — 1 be sorry, have compassion עַלעֲֿבָדָיו upon his servants Deuteronomy 32:36 = Psalm 135:14. 2 rue, repent of, "" כזּב, Numbers 23:19 (poem). 3 comfort oneself, be comforted, absolute Genesis 37:35 (J), Psalm 119:52. 4 ease oneself, by taking vengeance Ezekiel 5:13 (?); with לִ person Genesis 27:42 (JE): compareQal 4. Topical Lexicon Overviewנָחַם (nacham) conveys a dynamic spectrum of ideas that cluster around two poles: deep emotional movement (sorrow, grief, compassion) and decisive change (relent, repent, be comforted). Across roughly one-hundred-and-eight Old Testament occurrences the word depicts both the covenant LORD’s holy responsiveness and the transformative experiences of His people. The contexts fall naturally into four thematic fields: Divine Relenting, Divine Consolation, Human Repentance, and Human Consolation. Together they reveal a God who is simultaneously unchanging in purpose and yet relationally engaged, and they instruct believers in ministry marked by repentance and comfort. Divine Relenting 1. Prior to the Flood Genesis 6:6 – 7 records, “The LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the LORD said, ‘I will blot out man whom I have created…’ ” The narrative underscores both the Creator’s moral sensitivity and His sovereign freedom to judge. 2. After Golden Calf Apostasy Exodus 32:14: “So the LORD relented from the calamity He had threatened to bring on His people.” Moses’ intercession functions inside covenant promises (Exodus 32:13), demonstrating that divine relenting never contradicts divine faithfulness. 3. Prophetic Warnings and Mercy Jeremiah 18:8, Joel 2:13–14, Jonah 3:10 portray the LORD holding judgment in suspense to invite repentance. Each passage grounds His relenting in His compassionate character: “gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion.” 4. Tension with Immutability Numbers 23:19 and 1 Samuel 15:29 declare that God “will not relent,” affirming His unalterable nature in matters He has irrevocably decreed. The Hebrew writers therefore use נָחַם both to assert Yahweh’s unchanging righteousness and to describe His personal engagement in history. The paradox resolves in covenant consistency: He never shifts from holiness or promise, yet He freely adjusts His dealings in line with those unchanging commitments. Divine Consolation 1. Comfort in Exile Isaiah 40:1–2: “Comfort, comfort My people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem…” Here נָחַם launches the book’s second major section, guaranteeing restoration and prefiguring the gospel proclamation. 2. Messianic Year of Favor Isaiah 61:1–2: “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me… to comfort all who mourn.” Jesus applies this to Himself (Luke 4:18–19), connecting נָחַם to the Messiah’s healing work and the outpouring of the Spirit, later called the Paraklētos or Comforter. 3. Eschatological Hope Isaiah 57:18–19; Zechariah 1:13–17 present future comfort that will climax in the new heavens and new earth (Isaiah 66:13). God’s ultimate נָחַם frames biblical eschatology as pastoral: grief ends, gladness begins. 4. Shepherd Imagery Psalm 23:4: “Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Divine consolation shepherds believers through “the valley of the shadow of death,” linking נָחַם with covenant presence. Human Repentance and Regret 1. Israel’s Leadership 1 Samuel 15:11: Saul’s disobedience causes Samuel to “cry out to the LORD all night.” Verse 35 adds that the prophet himself “mourned over Saul,” modeling godly sorrow over sin’s consequences. 2. Individual Penitence Job 42:6: “Therefore I retract, and I repent in dust and ashes.” Job’s encounter with God turns argumentative complaint into humble נָחַם, illustrating repentance as a changed mind before revealed majesty. 3. Communal Repentance Jeremiah 31:19 depicts Ephraim saying, “After I returned, I repented,” showing that true revival entails inner נָחַם leading to outward obedience. 4. Contrition and Comfort Lamentations 3:32–33 affirms that although the LORD brings grief, “He will show compassion… He does not willingly afflict or grieve the sons of men.” Here repentance and comfort meet, foreshadowing the cross where divine grief over sin meets divine provision for sinners. Human Consolation of Others 1. Patriarchal Narrative Genesis 37:35 recounts Jacob’s inconsolable grief for Joseph, while Genesis 24:67 notes Isaac being “comforted after his mother’s death.” The verb punctuates family histories with honest emotion and eventual healing. 2. Community Ministry 2 Samuel 10:2; 1 Chronicles 7:22 describe David and Ephraim comforting the bereaved. Such passages ground pastoral visitation and empathy in Scriptural precedent. 3. Psalms as Liturgy of Comfort Psalm 119:50: “This is my comfort in affliction, that Your promise revives me.” Worship weaves Scripture and Spirit into applied נָחַם, teaching believers to counsel themselves with God’s word. 4. Prophetic Exhortation Zechariah 1:17: “My cities will again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion.” Prophetic comfort is corporate, fueling mission and endurance. Historical Development • Early Genesis usage establishes the term’s emotional weight (Genesis 5:29; 6:6–7). Ministry Significance 1. Preaching Repentance The prevalence of נָחַם in judgment texts demands a call to turn from sin. Authentic gospel proclamation mirrors Joel’s logic: “return… perhaps He will relent” (Joel 2:13–14). 2. Pastoral Care Isaiah’s double imperative “Comfort, comfort” authorizes pastoral ministry among the hurting. Counsel grounded in God’s character, promises, and presence fulfills this charge. 3. Intercessory Prayer Moses, Samuel, Amos, and Jeremiah demonstrate that believers may plead for divine נָחַם, interposing confession and faith between God’s wrath and human frailty. 4. Christological Fulfillment Jesus embodies both aspects of נָחַם: He calls sinners to repentance (Mark 1:15) and declares, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). The Holy Spirit continues this dual ministry as convictor and Comforter. Key Representative References Genesis 6:6; Exodus 32:14; Numbers 23:19; Deuteronomy 32:36; Judges 2:18; 1 Samuel 15:11; 2 Samuel 24:16; 2 Chronicles 30:9; Job 2:11; Psalm 23:4; Psalm 119:52; Isaiah 40:1; Isaiah 49:13; Isaiah 51:12; Isaiah 61:2; Jeremiah 18:8; Jeremiah 31:15; Lamentations 2:13; Ezekiel 5:13; Joel 2:13; Jonah 3:10; Zechariah 1:17. Conclusion נָחַם threads through Scripture as the heartbeat of God’s moral and pastoral dealings. It summons sinners to repentance, assures sufferers of divine consolation, and shapes the church’s proclamation and care. Every occurrence points ultimately to the crucified and risen Christ, in whom justice and mercy kiss and everlasting comfort is secured. Forms and Transliterations אֲנַ֣חֶמְכֶ֔ם אֲנַחֲמֵֽךְ׃ אֶנָּחֵ֑ם אֶנָּחֵ֣ם אֶנָּחֵֽם׃ אנחם אנחם׃ אנחמך׃ אנחמכם בְּנַחֲמֵ֖ךְ בנחמך הִנָּחֵ֣ם הִנָּחֵֽם׃ הנחם הנחם׃ וְ֝הִנָּחֵ֗ם וְ֝לַמְנַחֲמִ֗ים וְהִנֶּחָ֑מְתִּי וְהִנָּחֵ֥ם וְיִנָּחֵ֣ם וְיִתְנֶחָ֑ם וְנִ֣חַמְתִּ֔ים וְנִֽחַמְתִּי֙ וְנִחֲמ֣וּ וְנִחַ֑מְתִּי וְנִחַ֖ם וְנִחַ֨ם וְנִחַמְתִּ֣י וְנִחַמְתֶּ֗ם וְנִחַמְתָּֽנִי׃ וְנִחָ֑ם וְנִחָ֖ם וַ֝יִּנָּחֵ֗ם וַאֲנַֽחֲמֵ֔ךְ וַיְנַחֲמ֣וּ וַיְנַחֵ֣ם וַיִּנָּ֖חֶם וַיִּנָּ֣חֶם וַיִּנָּ֤חֶם וַיִּנָּ֨חֲמ֜וּ וַיִּנָּֽחֲמוּ֙ וַיִּנָּחֵ֥ם וָֽאֶתְנֶחָֽם׃ וּֽלְנַחֲמֽוֹ׃ וּֽתְנַחֲמֵֽנִי׃ ואנחמך ואתנחם׃ והנחם והנחמתי וינחם וינחמו ויתנחם ולמנחמים ולנחמו׃ ונחם ונחמו ונחמתי ונחמתים ונחמתם ונחמתני׃ ותנחמני׃ יְנַֽחֲמֻֽנִי׃ יְנַֽחֵמ֑וּן יְנַחֲמֵ֤נוּ יְנַחֵֽם׃ יִנָּחֵ֑ם יִנָּחֵ֗ם יִנָּחֵ֤ם יִנָּחֵ֥ם יִתְנֶחָ֑ם יִתְנֶחָֽם׃ ינחם ינחם׃ ינחמון ינחמנו ינחמני׃ יתנחם יתנחם׃ לְהִנָּחֵ֥ם לְהִנָּחֵֽם׃ לְהִתְנַחֵ֔ם לְנַֽחֲמֵ֔נִי לְנַחֲמ֗וֹ לְנַחֲמ֛וֹ לְנַחֲמ֣וֹ לְנַחֲמֵ֑נִי לְנַחֲמֽוֹ׃ לְנַחֵ֖ם להנחם להנחם׃ להתנחם לנחם לנחמו לנחמו׃ לנחמני מְנַֽחֲמִ֑ים מְנַחֲמִ֑ים מְנַחֲמִ֖ים מְנַחֲמֵ֖י מְנַחֵ֔ם מְנַחֵ֖ם מְנַחֵֽם׃ מְנַחֵם֙ מְנַחֶמְכֶ֑ם מִתְנַחֵ֥ם מנחם מנחם׃ מנחמי מנחמים מנחמכם מתנחם נִֽחַמְתָּ֔נִי נִחַ֔מְתִּי נִחַ֖מְתִּי נִחַ֗מְתִּי נִחַ֙מְתִּי֙ נִחַ֤ם נִחַ֥ם נִחַ֨ם נִחַם֙ נִחָ֑ם נִחָ֔ם נִחָ֖ם נִחָֽמְתִּי׃ נִחָם֙ נַחֲמ֖וּ נַחֲמ֥וּ נֻחָ֑מָה נחם נחמה נחמו נחמתי נחמתי׃ נחמתני תְּֽנַחֲמֵֽנִי׃ תְּנַחֲמ֣וּנִי תְּנַחֲמֵ֣נִי תְּנַחֲמֶ֑נּוּ תְּנֻחָֽמוּ׃ תנחמו׃ תנחמוני תנחמנו תנחמני תנחמני׃ ’ă·na·ḥă·mêḵ ’ă·na·ḥem·ḵem ’ănaḥămêḵ ’ănaḥemḵem ’en·nā·ḥêm ’ennāḥêm anachaMech aNachemChem bə·na·ḥă·mêḵ benachaMech bənaḥămêḵ ennaChem hin·nā·ḥêm hinnaChem hinnāḥêm lə·hin·nā·ḥêm lə·hiṯ·na·ḥêm lə·na·ḥă·mê·nî lə·na·ḥă·mōw lə·na·ḥêm lehinnaChem ləhinnāḥêm lehitnaChem ləhiṯnaḥêm lenachaMeni lenachaMo lenaChem lənaḥămênî lənaḥămōw lənaḥêm mə·na·ḥă·mê mə·na·ḥă·mîm mə·na·ḥêm mə·na·ḥem·ḵem menachaMei menachaMim menaChem menachemChem mənaḥămê mənaḥămîm mənaḥêm mənaḥemḵem miṯ·na·ḥêm mitnaChem miṯnaḥêm na·ḥă·mū nachaMu naḥămū ni·ḥā·mə·tî ni·ḥam ni·ḥām ni·ḥam·tā·nî ni·ḥam·tî niCham niChameti nichamTani niChamti niḥam niḥām niḥāmətî niḥamtānî niḥamtî nu·ḥā·māh nuChamah nuḥāmāh tə·na·ḥă·mê·nî tə·na·ḥă·men·nū tə·na·ḥă·mū·nî tə·nu·ḥā·mū tenachaMeni tenachaMennu tenachaMuni tənaḥămênî tənaḥămennū tənaḥămūnî tenuChamu tənuḥāmū ū·lə·na·ḥă·mōw ū·ṯə·na·ḥă·mê·nî ulenachamo ūlənaḥămōw UtenachaMeni ūṯənaḥămênî vaanachaMech VaetneCham vaiyinnachaMu vaiyinNachem vaynachaMu vaynaChem vehinnaChem vehinneChameti velamnachaMim veniCham venichamTani venichamTem veniChamti veNichamTim venichaMu veyinnaChem veyitneCham wa’ănaḥămêḵ wā’eṯneḥām wa·’ă·na·ḥă·mêḵ wā·’eṯ·ne·ḥām way·na·ḥă·mū way·na·ḥêm way·yin·nā·ḥă·mū way·yin·nā·ḥem way·yin·nā·ḥêm waynaḥămū waynaḥêm wayyinnāḥămū wayyinnāḥem wayyinnāḥêm wə·hin·nā·ḥêm wə·hin·ne·ḥā·mə·tî wə·lam·na·ḥă·mîm wə·ni·ḥă·mū wə·ni·ḥam wə·ni·ḥām wə·ni·ḥam·tā·nî wə·ni·ḥam·tem wə·ni·ḥam·tî wə·ni·ḥam·tîm wə·yin·nā·ḥêm wə·yiṯ·ne·ḥām wəhinnāḥêm wəhinneḥāmətî wəlamnaḥămîm wəniḥam wəniḥām wəniḥamtānî wəniḥamtem wəniḥamtî wəniḥamtîm wəniḥămū wəyinnāḥêm wəyiṯneḥām yə·na·ḥă·mê·nū yə·na·ḥă·mu·nî yə·na·ḥê·mūn yə·na·ḥêm yenachaMenu yeNachaMuni yenaChem yenacheMun yənaḥămênū yənaḥămunî yənaḥêm yənaḥêmūn yin·nā·ḥêm yinnaChem yinnāḥêm yiṯ·ne·ḥām yitneCham yiṯneḥāmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 5:29 HEB: לֵאמֹ֑ר זֶ֞ה֠ יְנַחֲמֵ֤נוּ מִֽמַּעֲשֵׂ֙נוּ֙ וּמֵעִצְּב֣וֹן NAS: This one will give us rest from our work KJV: saying, This [same] shall comfort us concerning our work INT: saying This will give our work the toil Genesis 6:6 Genesis 6:7 Genesis 24:67 Genesis 27:42 Genesis 37:35 Genesis 37:35 Genesis 38:12 Genesis 50:21 Exodus 13:17 Exodus 32:12 Exodus 32:14 Numbers 23:19 Deuteronomy 32:36 Judges 2:18 Judges 21:6 Judges 21:15 Ruth 2:13 1 Samuel 15:11 1 Samuel 15:29 1 Samuel 15:29 1 Samuel 15:35 2 Samuel 10:2 2 Samuel 10:3 2 Samuel 12:24 108 Occurrences |
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