Lexical Summary anach: To sigh, groan Original Word: אָנַח Strong's Exhaustive Concordance groan, mourn, sigh A primitive root; to sigh -- groan, mourn, sigh. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to sigh, groan NASB Translation groan (7), groaning (1), groans (1), sigh (2), sighed (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [אָנַח] verb only Niph`al sigh, groan, mostly in poetry & late (Aramaic אֲנַח, 1 sigh, in token of grief Isaiah 24:7; Proverbs 29:2; Lamentations 1:4 ("" נוּגוֺתּ) Lamentations 1:21; Ezekiel 21:11 (twice in verse); of Jerusalem Lamentations 1:8; mostly absolute but followed by אַלֿ Ezekiel 9:4 ("" נֶאֱנָק); followed by עַלֿ & אֱלֿ Ezekiel 21:12. 2 in physical distress Lamentations 1:11 ("" בִּקֵּשׁ לֶחֶם); Exodus 2:23 followed by מִן by reason of ("" זָעַק). 3 groan of cattle (בְּהֵמָה) Joel 1:18. Topical Lexicon Overview The verb אָנַח describes audible expressions of distress—“sighing” or “groaning” that rise from deep, often prolonged suffering. Whether the pain is physical, emotional, or spiritual, the term gives voice to a heart overwhelmed by circumstances larger than itself yet still sensitive to the presence and purposes of God. Semantic Range and Nuances 1. A spontaneous, involuntary exhalation marking the weight of oppression (Exodus 2:23). Distribution in Scripture Occurrences cluster around pivotal periods of covenant crisis: Egyptian bondage, the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem, and the approaching Day of the Lord. The pattern underscores that collective groaning often precedes decisive divine intervention. • Exodus 2:23 portrays Israel’s bondage-generated sighs ascending “to God.” The verse frames the ensuing Exodus as heaven’s response to human groaning. Historical Setting The verb’s Old Testament footprint covers the Exodus era, monarchic decline, exile, and eschatological prophecy. Each setting shares (1) oppressive conditions, (2) prophetic awareness, and (3) divine movement toward deliverance or judgment. Sighing becomes an acoustic register of covenant history, tracing the arc from affliction to restoration. Theological Significance 1. Divine Attention: Exodus 2:23-25 shows that sighs penetrate heaven. Groaning is not futile noise but covenant speech that moves God to remember and act. Pastoral and Ministry Applications • Validating Lament: Congregational worship should leave room for sighing prayer, legitimizing grief while directing it toward the Lord who hears. Christological and Eschatological Trajectory The Messiah fulfills the hope embedded in every ancient groan. His incarnation identifies with our sighs; His resurrection ensures that no sigh is final. The sighing creation awaits the revealing of the sons of God, when “He will wipe away every tear” (Revelation 21:4). Thus, the verb אָנַח not only chronicles past anguish but also foretells the coming silence of eternal peace. Forms and Transliterations הֵֽאָנַ֑ח הַנֶּֽאֱנָחִים֙ האנח הנאנחים וַיֵּאָנְח֧וּ ויאנחו יֵאָ֥נַֽח יאנח נֶּאֶנְחָ֣ה נֶאֱנָ֑ח נֶאֱנָחִ֑ים נֶאֱנָחִים֙ נֶאֱנָחָ֣ה נֶאֶנְח֖וּ נֶאֶנְחָ֖ה נאנח נאנחה נאנחו נאנחים תֵּֽאָנַ֖ח תאנח han·ne·’ĕ·nā·ḥîm hanne’ĕnāḥîm hanneenaChim hê’ānaḥ hê·’ā·naḥ heaNach ne’ĕnāḥ ne’ĕnāḥāh ne’ĕnāḥîm ne’enḥāh ne’enḥū ne·’ĕ·nā·ḥāh ne·’ĕ·nā·ḥîm ne·’ĕ·nāḥ ne·’en·ḥāh ne·’en·ḥū neeNach neenaChah neenaChim neenChah neenChu tê’ānaḥ tê·’ā·naḥ teaNach vaiyeaneChu way·yê·’ā·nə·ḥū wayyê’ānəḥū yê’ānaḥ yê·’ā·naḥ yeAnachLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 2:23 HEB: מֶ֣לֶךְ מִצְרַ֔יִם וַיֵּאָנְח֧וּ בְנֵֽי־ יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל NAS: of Israel sighed because KJV: of Israel sighed by reason of INT: the king of Egypt sighed and the sons of Israel Proverbs 29:2 Isaiah 24:7 Lamentations 1:4 Lamentations 1:8 Lamentations 1:11 Lamentations 1:21 Ezekiel 9:4 Ezekiel 21:6 Ezekiel 21:6 Ezekiel 21:7 Joel 1:18 12 Occurrences |
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Ethpe`el compare Assyrian [anâ—u], inh—u, sigh ZimBP 12, 30) — Perfect3feminine singular נֶאֶנְחָה