for נְהִי; lamentation; woe. (For hiyr. See הוּא, הוּא.)
Transliteration:hîy
Pronunciation:he
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H1958}}` (hîy) functions primarily as an interjection expressing lamentation, woe, or sorrow. Its base definition, "for `{{H5092}}` (nᵉhî); lamentation; woe," indicates a direct semantic link to the concept of wailing and mourning. While Strong's notes a potential connection to the pronoun `{{H1931}}` (hûʼ) or `{{H1932}}` (hûʼ), its usage in biblical texts firmly anchors its meaning within the semantic field of grief and distress. It is an onomatopoeic exclamation, akin to "Ah!" or "Alas!" in English, signifying profound sadness, despair, or a cry of pain. The word encapsulates the sound and feeling of deep, often public, lamentation, serving as an immediate vocalization of an afflicted state.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
`{{H1958}}` appears sparingly in the Hebrew Bible, primarily within prophetic literature, where it serves to underscore the gravity of impending judgment and the resulting human anguish.
* **[[Jeremiah 22:18]]**: "Therefore thus says the LORD concerning Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah: 'They shall not lament for him, saying, "Ah, my brother!" or "Ah, sister!" They shall not lament for him, saying, "Ah, lord!" or "Ah, his glory!"'" Here, hîy is rendered as "Ah!" and is used repeatedly in the context of a dirge, specifically the *absence* of lamentation for a wicked king, highlighting the ignominy of his end. It represents the very sound of mourning that will be denied him.
* **[[Jeremiah 30:7]]**: "Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it." In this verse, hîy is translated as "Alas!" It introduces a description of an unparalleled day of tribulation for Israel, often interpreted as the eschatological "time of Jacob's trouble." The interjection sets a tone of dire warning and profound distress, emphasizing the severity of the coming ordeal.
* **[[Ezekiel 30:2]]**: "Son of man, prophesy and say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Wail, 'Alas for the day!'"'" Here, hîy is again "Alas!" and is directly commanded by God as a call to wail over the impending judgment upon Egypt. It is part of a divine decree for lamentation, emphasizing the certainty and devastating impact of God's punitive actions against nations.
In each instance, hîy functions as a poignant exclamation, signaling a moment of intense sorrow, often in response to divine judgment or a tragic fate. Its use by the prophets amplifies the emotional weight of their pronouncements, making the future suffering palpable to the audience.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is `{{H5092}}` (nᵉhî), from which `{{H1958}}` is derived or to which it is closely linked. nᵉhî refers to a lamentation, a dirge, or a wailing, embodying the act or sound of deep mourning. Other related concepts and terms include:
* `{{H6963}}` (qînāh): A dirge or lament, often a formal poetic composition sung at funerals or times of national disaster.
* `{{H1058}}` (bāḵāh): The verb "to weep," denoting the act of shedding tears.
* `{{H5091}}` (nāhāh): The verb "to wail" or "to lament," often with a loud, mournful sound.
* `{{H4553}}` (mispēd): Mourning, a period or act of lamentation.
The concept of "woe" is also expressed by interjections like `{{H1945}}` (hôy), which often carries a prophetic sense of impending doom or judgment, similar to hîy but perhaps with a broader range of application. All these terms contribute to the rich biblical vocabulary for expressing grief, sorrow, and the human response to suffering and divine judgment.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H1958}}` lies in its stark portrayal of human suffering in the face of divine justice and the consequences of sin.
1. **Divine Judgment and Human Response:** hîy serves as a visceral expression of the anguish that accompanies God's judgment. It underscores the severity of His wrath against unrighteousness, demonstrating that divine decrees are not abstract but have tangible, painful effects on humanity. The prophetic use of hîy is a divine warning, a call to acknowledge the dire consequences of disobedience.
2. **The Reality of Suffering:** The term legitimizes the human experience of sorrow and lamentation. It acknowledges that even in the context of God's righteous acts, there is real pain and distress. The prophets, by using such an exclamation, invite empathy for the afflicted and vividly depict the sorrow that awaits the unrepentant.
3. **Prophetic Urgency:** By employing hîy, prophets imbue their messages with a sense of urgency and gravity. It is a cry that demands attention, forcing the audience to confront the bleak reality of their future unless they turn to God.
4. **Hope Amidst Woe:** While hîy speaks of despair, its appearance in texts like [[Jeremiah 30:7]] is often juxtaposed with promises of future salvation or restoration. This creates a theological tension: even in the deepest "time of Jacob's trouble," God's ultimate plan includes deliverance. The lament, therefore, is not the final word, but a prelude to divine intervention and redemption. It highlights that God's justice is always tempered by His covenant faithfulness and mercy.
### Summary
`{{H1958}}` (hîy) is a powerful Hebrew interjection, best translated as "Ah!" or "Alas!", deeply rooted in the concept of lamentation and woe (`{{H5092}}`). Its sparse but impactful occurrences in prophetic books like Jeremiah and Ezekiel vividly portray the profound human anguish resulting from divine judgment. As an onomatopoeic cry of distress, hîy underscores the severity of God's righteous wrath and the legitimate sorrow it evokes. Theologically, it serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of sin, the reality of suffering, and the prophetic call to repentance, often set against the backdrop of God's ultimate redemptive purposes. It is a poignant expression that captures the very sound and essence of deep, heartfelt lamentation in the biblical narrative.
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