The Hebrew word zaʻaq, represented by H2201, denotes a shriek or outcry. It is derived from the verb H2199 and appears 18 times across 18 unique verses. This term is not a mere sound but a potent expression of acute distress, anguish, or urgent alarm, often in response to severe injustice or danger.
In biblical narratives, H2201 signifies a cry that demands attention and often elicits a divine response. The "great" cry of Sodom and Gomorrah rose up due to their "very grievous" sin Genesis 18:20. It captures profound personal and communal grief, as when Mordecai let out a "loud and a bitter cry" Esther 4:1. The word is also used prophetically to announce impending doom, such as the "cry from Babylon" that signals "great destruction" Jeremiah 51:54. Furthermore, it represents the plea of the oppressed that God hears, as He heard the Israelites' cry by the Red Sea Nehemiah 9:9.
Several related words help define the context and intensity of H2201:
- H2199 zâʻaq: As the primitive root, this verb means "to shriek (from anguish or danger)". It is the action that produces the noun, as seen when Mordecai "cried" H2199 with a great "cry" H2201 Esther 4:1.
- H8085 shâmaʻ: This verb, meaning "to hear intelligently", is frequently paired with the outcry. A cry is made to be "heard," whether by God Nehemiah 9:9, as a warning of attack Jeremiah 18:22, or in judgment Jeremiah 48:4.
- H1419 gâdôwl: Meaning "great", this adjective often describes the intensity of the cry, such as the "loud" cry of Mordecai Esther 4:1 or the "great" destruction announced by the cry from Babylon Jeremiah 51:54.
- H3215 yᵉlâlâh: Defined as "a howling", this word appears alongside H2201 in the prophecy against Moab, emphasizing the overwhelming sound of grief and destruction Isaiah 15:8.
The theological weight of H2201 is significant and multifaceted.
- Cry of Injustice: The term often functions as an outcry against sin that reaches heaven. The cry of Sodom and Gomorrah serves as a catalyst for divine investigation and judgment Genesis 18:20. The consequences for ignoring the "cry of the poor" underscore its moral importance Proverbs 21:13.
- Plea for Deliverance: H2201 is the sound of the afflicted appealing to God. He "heardest their cry" in Egypt Nehemiah 9:9, establishing a pattern of divine response to suffering. Job's desperate wish, "let my cry have no place," highlights his fear that his plea for justice will go unheard Job 16:18.
- Sound of Judgment: In prophetic warnings, the cry is the audible manifestation of divine judgment. A cry is heard from Babylon at its fall Jeremiah 50:46, and a cry of destruction is raised up in Moab Isaiah 15:5.
In summary, H2201 is far more than a simple utterance. It is a weighted "shriek or outcry" that signifies a critical moment. It conveys the depth of human suffering, from personal grief to national catastrophe (Esther 4:1, Jeremiah 51:54). Theologically, it acts as a bridge between humanity and God, representing the plea of the oppressed that God hears Nehemiah 9:9, the protest against injustice that He acknowledges Genesis 18:20, and the terrible announcement of judgment He enacts.
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