Lexical Summary annah or anna: "I beseech," "please," "O," "I pray" Original Word: אָנּאָ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance I beseech thee, O Or mannah {awn-naw'}; apparent contracted from 'ahabah and na'; oh now! -- I (me) beseech (pray) thee, O. see HEBREW 'ahabah see HEBREW na' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition ah, now! I (we) beseech you! NASB Translation alas (2), beg (1), beseech (7), earnestly pray (1), O (7), please (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs אָֽנָּ֫א interjection (from אָהּ and נָא, q. v.) a strong particle of entreaty, ah, now! I (or We) beseech thee! often followed by an imperative; Genesis 50:17 (to Joseph) ׳אָנָּא שָׂא נָא וג Ah, now ! forgive, we pray, etc., Exodus 32:31 (to God); elsewhere always followed by ׳י or אֲדֹנָי Psalm 118:25 (twice in verse); Nehemiah 1:5,11; Daniel 9:4. Written אָֽנָּ֫ה 2 Kings 20:3 (= Isaiah 38:3) Jonah 1:14; Jonah 4:2; Psalm 116:4; Psalm 116:16. אנב (perhaps spring, leap, so DlHA 65, Pr 114, inferred from Assyrian annabu, hare; against this NöZMG 1886, 734). Topical Lexicon Semantic Nuances of Entreaty אָנָּא embodies an urgent, respectful plea—“please,” “I beg you,” “O now.” Whether uttered by patriarchs, prophets, psalmists, sailors, or kings, the cry always signals a moment when human inadequacy collides with divine sufficiency. It is never casual speech; it is the language of dependence, reverence, and immediacy before the covenant Lord. Occurrences Across Redemptive History • Genesis 50:17 opens Scripture’s use of אָנָּא as Joseph’s brothers implore: “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin”. Their plea sets a precedent—sin acknowledged, mercy sought. Patterns of Prayer and Intercession 1. Confession of Sin (Genesis 50:17; Exodus 32:31; Daniel 9:4). These patterns reveal that אָנָּא functions as a hinge between human weakness and divine action. The supplicant names the covenant God (Yahweh or Adonai) and appeals to His character—hesed, faithfulness, compassion, power. Theological Themes: Covenant Mercy and Repentance Every occurrence presupposes God’s readiness to respond. Whether forgiveness (Genesis 50), national survival (Exodus 32), personal deliverance (Hezekiah, Psalms), or corporate restoration (Daniel, Nehemiah), the plea rests on God’s covenant loving-kindness. The sailors in Jonah 1 illustrate a universal reach: covenant mercy is not ethnically confined. Liturgical and Devotional Implications Psalm 118:25 became part of the Hallel, sung at Passover and Tabernacles, thereby shaping Israel’s worship life. Early Christians adopted the same cry—“Hosanna!”—directing it to Jesus. In private devotion, אָנָּא teaches believers to approach God with humility and confidence, pairing brevity with depth: one word can carry the weight of the heart. Christological Resonance Moses’ self-sacrificial אָנָּא foreshadows the greater Mediator who “always lives to intercede” (Hebrews 7:25). Psalm 118:25, invoked at the triumphal entry, identifies Jesus as the answer to Israel’s centuries-long plea for salvation. Thus, the interjection finds ultimate fulfillment in the incarnate Word who both receives and embodies the cry. Practical Ministry Application • Encourage corporate prayer that begins with humble beseeching rather than presumption. In every age, אָנָּא gathers together confession, urgency, hope, and worship, summoning God’s people to trust that He hears and answers those who call on His name. Forms and Transliterations אָ֣נָּ֗א אָ֣נָּ֡א אָֽנָּ֣ה אָֽנָּ֤א אָֽנָּ֥א אָנָּ֣א אָנָּ֣ה אָנָּ֤א אָנָּ֤ה אָנָּ֥ה אנא אנה ’ān·nā ’ān·nāh ’ānnā ’ānnāh anNa anNahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 50:17 HEB: תֹאמְר֣וּ לְיוֹסֵ֗ף אָ֣נָּ֡א שָׂ֣א נָ֠א NAS: forgive, I beg you, the transgression KJV: Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass INT: shall say to Joseph beg forgive Please Exodus 32:31 2 Kings 20:3 Nehemiah 1:5 Nehemiah 1:11 Psalm 116:4 Psalm 116:16 Psalm 118:25 Psalm 118:25 Isaiah 38:3 Daniel 9:4 Jonah 1:14 Jonah 4:2 13 Occurrences |
    |