from an unused root meaning to lament; lamentation; wailing.
Transliteration:nôahh
Pronunciation:no'-ah
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H5089}}` *nôahh* (נֹהַּ) derives from an unused root, yet its meaning is clearly established through contextual usage and its semantic kinship with other words of lamentation. It signifies a deep, vocal expression of grief, specifically "lamentation" or "wailing." This is not merely an internal feeling of sadness, but an audible, often public, outpouring of sorrow. The term emphasizes the sound and intensity of the mourning, suggesting a prolonged and piercing cry rather than a quiet tear. It encapsulates the full breadth of human anguish manifested in a sorrowful sound, often in response to catastrophic events or profound loss.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H5089}}` *nôahh* appears rarely in the Hebrew Bible, but its limited occurrences are profoundly impactful, primarily within prophetic literature.
1. **[[Isaiah 15:2]]**: "On their housetops and in their streets everyone laments, weeping bitterly." Here, *nôahh* describes the widespread, public wailing of the Moabites in response to divine judgment and the devastation of their land. The verse paints a vivid picture of a people utterly undone, their sorrow so pervasive that it echoes from every rooftop and fills every street. The lamentation is a direct consequence of the impending destruction, a collective cry of despair that underscores the severity of God's hand against them. It highlights the audible nature of *nôahh*, a sound of profound distress.
2. **[[Ezekiel 2:10]]**: "And when I looked, behold, a hand was stretched out to me, and behold, a scroll was in it. He unrolled it before me; and it had writing on the front and on the back, and there were written on it words of lamentation and mourning and woe." In this pivotal vision, *nôahh* is listed as one of the three categories of content written on the scroll given to Ezekiel, alongside "mourning" (`{{H6963}}` *qinah*) and "woe" (`{{H1945}}` *hoy*). This scroll represents the message Ezekiel is commissioned to deliver to the rebellious house of Israel: a message not of comfort, but of judgment, sorrow, and impending doom. The inclusion of *nôahh* here emphasizes that the prophetic word itself is imbued with the very sound and essence of the lamentation it will evoke. It signifies that the divine message will bring forth deep grief and wailing among those who hear and experience its fulfillment.
In both instances, *nôahh* is associated with a response to divine judgment or severe calamity, underscoring the overwhelming nature of the sorrow and the public, audible expression of that grief.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of `{{H5089}}` *nôahh* is rich with terms describing various forms of sorrow, mourning, and lamentation.
* **`{{H6963}}` *qinah***: Often translated as "lament," "dirge," or "mourning song." This term is closely related to *nôahh* and appears with it in [[Ezekiel 2:10]]. While *nôahh* emphasizes the sound of wailing, *qinah* often refers to a more structured or ritualized form of lament, sometimes even a poetic composition.
* **`{{H5091}}` *nahah***: The verbal root "to wail, lament." This verb is likely directly connected to the noun *nôahh*, describing the action that produces the lamentation.
* **`{{H1058}}` *bakah***: "To weep, shed tears." This is a general term for weeping, which can accompany *nôahh* but is not necessarily as loud or pronounced.
* **`{{H5594}}` *saphad***: "To wail, mourn (for the dead)." This verb often implies a professional mourner or a public display of grief for the deceased.
* **`{{H1945}}` *hoy***: An interjection of "woe!" or "alas!" It expresses lament or despair and is paired with *nôahh* and *qinah* in [[Ezekiel 2:10]], highlighting the dire nature of the message.
* **`{{H1958}}` *hi***: Similar to *hoy*, an exclamation of "woe!" or "alas!"
* **Concepts of Mourning Rituals**: The biblical contexts of *nôahh* often imply accompanying mourning rituals such as wearing sackcloth, shaving heads, making gashes, and public displays of grief, all of which amplify the lamentation.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H5089}}` *nôahh* is primarily seen in its portrayal of humanity's response to divine judgment and overwhelming catastrophe.
1. **Consequence of Sin and Disobedience**: The presence of *nôahh* in prophetic oracles, particularly in contexts of judgment (e.g., Moab in Isaiah, Israel in Ezekiel), underscores that deep lamentation is a righteous and inevitable consequence of sin and rebellion against God. It is a sign of the severe impact of divine wrath.
2. **God's Sovereignty in Suffering**: Even the profound wailing of a people is not outside the scope of God's sovereign plan. The scroll in Ezekiel, filled with *nôahh*, is divinely authored, indicating that God not only permits suffering but can ordain the very lamentation that arises from it, often as a means of bringing about repentance or demonstrating His justice.
3. **The Reality of Human Anguish**: *Nôahh* powerfully portrays the raw, visceral reality of human suffering and despair in a fallen world. It acknowledges that there are times when sorrow is so overwhelming that it can only be expressed through loud, uninhibited wailing.
4. **Prophetic Warning and Call to Repentance**: When prophets declare messages that evoke *nôahh*, they are not merely predicting sorrow but are often issuing a dire warning, a call to turn from the path that leads to such lamentation. The very sound of *nôahh* serves as a stark reminder of the gravity of God's word.
### Summary
`{{H5089}}` *nôahh* is a powerful Hebrew term signifying profound "lamentation" or "wailing," an audible and often public expression of intense grief. Though rare in its biblical occurrences, its usage in [[Isaiah 15:2]] and [[Ezekiel 2:10]] is highly significant, consistently appearing in contexts of divine judgment and national catastrophe. It underscores the overwhelming sorrow and despair that accompanies the consequences of sin and rebellion against God. Theologically, *nôahh* highlights the reality of human anguish in the face of God's righteous dealings, His sovereignty over suffering, and the prophetic call to acknowledge the dire implications of disobedience. It paints a vivid picture of a people undone, their collective wailing serving as a stark testament to the severity of their plight.
TRV