### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **ʼôwyâh**, represented by `{{H190}}`, is a feminine term for **lamentation** or **woe**. It is used interjectionally as an expression of distress, like "Oh!". It is an exceptionally rare word, appearing only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** within the biblical text, marking a singular, poignant moment of sorrow.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The single use of `{{H190}}` is found in a cry of personal anguish in [[Psalms 120:5]], where the psalmist exclaims, "**Woe** is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!". Here, the word serves as the opening expression of despair, setting the tone for the verse. The psalmist's lament is directly tied to his location and circumstances, feeling like an outsider who must sojourn `{{H1481}}` and dwell `{{H7931}}` in a hostile or foreign environment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The meaning of `{{H190}}` is illuminated by the words used alongside it in its only appearance:
* `{{H1481}}` **gûwr**: This word means **to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e. sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place)**. In [[Psalms 120:5]], it describes the psalmist's state as a temporary resident, contributing to his feeling of displacement and sorrow.
* `{{H7931}}` **shâkan**: Defined as **to reside or permanently stay**, this word is used in [[Psalms 120:5]] to express a more settled state of dwelling. The psalmist's **woe** is thus compounded by the sense that this distressing living situation is not fleeting but established.
### Theological Significance
Though it appears only once, the theological weight of `{{H190}}` is significant within its context.
* **Lament of the Righteous:** The word gives a powerful voice to the suffering experienced by the faithful. It is not a cry of sin, but a lament over circumstances that feel distant from God's peace.
* **The Pain of Exile:** The **woe** expressed in [[Psalms 120:5]] is fundamentally about the pain of being a sojourner in a place that is not home. This contrasts sharply with the blessed state of dwelling in God's presence, a desire seen in other psalms like, "who shall abide{H1481} in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell{H7931} in thy holy hill?" [[Psalms 15:1]].
* **A Cry Directed to God:** As part of a Psalm, this expression of **woe** is a form of prayer, bringing raw human emotion and suffering directly before God.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H190}}` is a specialized term that captures a profound sense of **woe** and **lamentation**. Its sole biblical appearance in [[Psalms 120:5]] frames this sorrow as a direct result of feeling exiled and forced to dwell in a distressing environment. The word powerfully illustrates the biblical theme of lament as a valid and necessary expression of faith during times of hardship, contrasting the pain of earthly sojourning with the ultimate hope of dwelling with God.
TRV