Lexical Summary anah: answered, replied, responded Original Word: עֲנָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance answer, speak (Aramaic) corresponding to anah -- answer, speak. see HEBREW anah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to anah Definition to answer NASB Translation answered (7), reflected (1), replied (6), responded (5), said* (1), spoke (5). Topical Lexicon עֲנָה – Strong’s Hebrew 6032 Scope of Meaning and Varieties of Usage עֲנָה expresses the concept of an “answer,” “reply,” or “response.” It is the substantive form of the common verb “to answer.” Its occurrences revolve around three principal spheres of life in Israel: covenant dialogue, judicial procedure, and liturgical worship. Whether the speaker is God, an individual, or the covenant community, עֲנָה highlights the movement from speech to counter-speech—an exchange that implies accountability before both God and neighbor. Distribution across the Canon (about thirty-one occurrences) Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy Historical Books: Joshua, Judges, 1 Kings, 2 Chronicles Wisdom Literature: Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Habakkuk, Zechariah This broad spread shows that the word retained a consistent theological weight from patriarchal times through the post-exilic community. Human Responses in Covenant and Community Life 1. Consent and agreement—When Laban and Bethuel evaluate the proposal of Abraham’s servant they give an עֲנָה: “This matter comes from the LORD; we cannot speak to you good or bad” (Genesis 24:50). Their reply formally binds them to release Rebekah. God’s Answer to His People 1. Deliverance—The LORD’s response to distress is described with the same term that marks human replies. Hannah celebrates, “For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my request” (1 Samuel 1:27). Liturgical and Poetic Dimensions The Psalms use responsive forms that mirror עֲנָה even when the noun is absent in Hebrew, shaping Israel’s worship into call-and-response patterns that later influenced synagogue and church liturgy (see Psalm 136). Exodus 15:21 provides an early example as Miriam leads the women in a responsive refrain after the Red Sea victory. Judicial Procedure Legal disputes required a formal “answer” before witnesses (Job 31:14). Proverbs warns that an ill-timed or deceitful reply can pervert justice (Proverbs 24:26). Thus עֲנָה stands at the heart of ethical speech, safeguarding truth in the courtroom. Prophetic and Apologetic Use Habakkuk expects an oracle that he may “give reply” (Habakkuk 2:1) to the perplexities of injustice. Jeremiah 23:35 criticizes prophets who frivolously claim, “What is the LORD’s answer?” while ignoring His true word, revealing that an authentic עֲנָה must align with prior revelation. Christological Foreshadowing and New Testament Echoes The dynamic of call and answer reaches its climax in the incarnate Word. In the Gospels, Jesus perfectly answers the Father’s will (John 8:29), and in Him “all the promises of God are ‘Yes’” (2 Corinthians 1:20), the ultimate divine עֲנָה to human need. The responsive worship scenes of Revelation (for example, Revelation 5:9-14) continue the Old Testament pattern, placing redeemed humanity in an eternal dialogue with God. Ministry Implications • Prayer: Expectant prayer rests on the character of the God who answers (Psalm 65:2). Key References for Study Together these passages portray עֲנָה as a crucial thread in the biblical tapestry, binding divine initiative and human response into a harmonious testimony of covenant faithfulness. Forms and Transliterations וַעֲנֵֽנִי׃ וענני׃ עֲנ֗וֹ עֲנ֣וֹ עֲנ֥וֹ עֲנ֨וֹ עֲנָ֨ת עֲנוֹ֙ עָנֵ֣ה עָנֵ֤ה עָנֵ֧ה עָנֵ֨ה עָנֵה֩ עָנַ֤יִן ענה ענו ענין ענת ‘ā·na·yin ‘ă·nāṯ ‘ā·nêh ‘ă·nōw ‘ănāṯ ‘ānayin ‘ānêh ‘ănōw aNat aNayin aNeh aNo vaaNeni wa‘ănênî wa·‘ă·nê·nîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 60:5 HEB: [וַעֲנֵנוּ כ] (וַעֲנֵֽנִי׃ ק) INT: Save your right answer Daniel 2:5 Daniel 2:7 Daniel 2:8 Daniel 2:10 Daniel 2:15 Daniel 2:20 Daniel 2:26 Daniel 2:27 Daniel 2:47 Daniel 3:9 Daniel 3:14 Daniel 3:16 Daniel 3:19 Daniel 3:24 Daniel 3:24 Daniel 3:25 Daniel 3:26 Daniel 3:28 Daniel 4:19 Daniel 4:19 Daniel 4:30 Daniel 5:7 Daniel 5:10 Daniel 5:13 31 Occurrences |
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