Lexical Summary siach: complaint, complaining, concern Original Word: שִׂיחַ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance babbling, communication, complaint, meditation, prayer, talk From siyach; a contemplation; by implication, an utterance -- babbling, communication, complaint, meditation, prayer, talk. see HEBREW siyach NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition complaint, musing NASB Translation complaining (1), complaint (8), concern (1), meditation (1), occupied (1), talk (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs שִׂיחַ noun masculinePsalm 104:34 complaint, musing; — absolute ׳שׂ 1 Kings 18:27 Proverbs 23:29; suffix שִׂיחִי 1 Samuel 1:16 +, שִׂחִי Job 23:2, שִׂיחוֺ 2 Kings 9:11; Psalm 102:1; — 1 plaint, complaint: Job 7:13; Job 9:27; Job 10:1 ("" מר נפשׁ), Job 21:4; Job 23:2; Proverbs 23:29; Psalm 55:3 ("" אָהִימָה); קוֺלִי בְּשִׁיחי Psalm 64:2; ׳לפני י ׳שָׁפַךְ שׂ Psalm 102:1; Psalm 142:3. following are dubious: 2 musing, 1 Kings 18:27 (E) of a god, "" שִׂיג לוֺ, (so RV; SS 'nachdenken'; Buhl 'beschäftigt sein'; AV talk); Psalm 104:34 of man (Buhl SS. Bae 'Rede, oder Gesang'). — See also [שֵׂחַ] below 3 anxiety, trouble: מֵרֹב שִׂיחִי 1 Samuel 1:16 (defined in ᵑ0 by כַּעַס, compare HPS; so Buhl SS, but perhaps = 1). 4 talk: שִׂיחוֺ 2 Kings 9:11 (so RV SS, but meaning obscurein context). Topical Lexicon Overview This Hebrew noun denotes the spoken or unspoken outpouring of the soul—ranging from anguished lament to quiet, thoughtful musing. It occurs thirteen times and gathers its meaning from the context: heartfelt prayer, bitter protest, inner reflection, or idle chatter. Together these scenes trace a full theology of “holy conversation,” showing both the permission and the limits of human speech before God and others. Distribution and Literary Settings • Historical narrative: 1 Samuel 1:16; 1 Kings 18:27; 2 Kings 9:11 The lion’s share lies in Job and Psalms, books that specialize in wrestling with suffering and pursuing intimacy with God. The three narrative occurrences reveal how everyday speech—whether derisive, prophetic, or misunderstood—also falls under divine scrutiny. Main Categories of Usage 1. Prayerful Complaint The dominant sense is an honest lament voiced before God. “I pour out my complaint before Him; I reveal my trouble to Him” (Psalm 142:2). Job reaches for the same language: “Even today my complaint is bitter” (Job 23:2). Far from rebuke, Scripture records these cries as faithful expressions of covenant relationship; the sufferer brings every burden to the LORD rather than turning away in unbelief. 2. Contemplative Meditation A quieter hue appears in Psalm 104:34: “May my meditation be pleasing to Him.” Here the term shifts from lament to delight, describing reflective worship that delights in creation and its Maker. The range reminds believers that both sighing and rejoicing belong in the melody of prayer. 3. Derisive or Empty Talk Elijah’s mockery on Mount Carmel employs the same noun: “Cry aloud, for he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought” (1 Kings 18:27). Jehu similarly dismisses a prophet’s message as mere “babble” (2 Kings 9:11). Proverbs 23:29 includes “complaints” among the miseries produced by drunkenness. These texts warn that speech unanchored to truth degenerates into folly. Key Passage Snapshots • 1 Samuel 1:16 – Hannah defends her fervent prayer in Shiloh, teaching that heartfelt lament, though misjudged by men, is welcomed by God and may usher in redemptive history (the birth of Samuel). Historical and Cultural Backdrop Ancient Near Eastern laments often attempted to manipulate deities through formulaic wailing. In contrast, Israel’s use of this term is relational, rooted in the revealed character of the LORD. The prophets, priests, and psalmists reinforce that freedom of speech before God is grounded in covenant grace, not ritual compulsion. Theological Significance • Divine Accessibility – The repeated summons “Hear my complaint” (Psalm 64:1) presupposes a God who listens. Practical Ministry Applications • Pastoral Care – Encourage believers to voice sorrow honestly; silence breeds despair, but spoken lament invites divine comfort. Christological Trajectory The Son of David embodies perfect lament and perfect meditation. On the cross He utters the ultimate complaint—“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”—while entrusting Himself to the Father. Believers’ prayers of complaint now ascend through a sympathetic High Priest who has given voice to human anguish and turned it into resurrection praise. Devotional Reflection When the soul aches, let it speak: “Attend to me and answer me. I am restless in my complaint” (Psalm 55:2). When the heart is satisfied, let it muse: “May my meditation be pleasing to Him” (Psalm 104:34). From sigh to song, every syllable finds its place before the throne. Forms and Transliterations בְּשִׂיחִ֣י בְשִׂיחִ֑י בשיחי שִׂ֗יחַ שִׂ֧יחַ שִׂחִ֑י שִׂיחִ֑י שִׂיחִ֛י שִׂיחֽוֹ׃ שחי שיח שיחו׃ שיחי bə·śî·ḥî ḇə·śî·ḥî besiChi bəśîḥî ḇəśîḥî śî·aḥ śi·ḥî śî·ḥî śî·ḥōw Siach śîaḥ siChi siCho śiḥî śîḥî śîḥōw vesiChiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 1:16 HEB: כִּֽי־ מֵרֹ֥ב שִׂיחִ֛י וְכַעְסִ֖י דִּבַּ֥רְתִּי NAS: out of my great concern and provocation. KJV: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief INT: out of my great concern and provocation have spoken 1 Kings 18:27 2 Kings 9:11 Job 9:27 Job 10:1 Job 21:4 Job 23:2 Psalm 55:2 Psalm 64:1 Psalm 102:1 Psalm 104:34 Psalm 142:2 Proverbs 23:29 13 Occurrences |
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