### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **nâhâh**, represented by `{{H5091}}`, is a primitive root meaning to **lament** or **wail**. It appears 3 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible. The word conveys a deep sense of groaning and bewailing, sometimes associated with a public outcry or assembly for mourning.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In scripture, `{{H5091}}` is used to express profound sorrow and mourning, often in a collective or prophetic context. The house of Israel **lamented** after the LORD during the time the ark was in Kirjathjearim, signifying a national turning [[1 Samuel 7:2]]. The prophet Ezekiel is commanded to **wail** for the multitude of Egypt, a symbolic act of mourning for their impending downfall [[Ezekiel 32:18]]. In Micah, the term is part of a prophetic utterance of judgment, where a parable is taken up against the people, who will **lament** with a "doleful lamentation" over being utterly spoiled [[Micah 2:4]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide a fuller picture of the context of lamentation:
* `{{H5092}}` **nᵉhîy** (an elegy; lamentation, wailing): This noun is derived directly from `{{H5091}}` and often refers to the audible expression of grief. It is used for bitter weeping and wailing for a nation under judgment [[Jeremiah 9:19]].
* `{{H5093}}` **nihyâh** (lamentation; doleful): This feminine form is used alongside `{{H5091}}` to intensify the expression of sorrow, as in the phrase "doleful lamentation" found in the prophecy against the people of Israel [[Micah 2:4]].
* `{{H4912}}` **mâshâl** (byword, like, parable, proverb): This word is often paired with expressions of mourning or judgment. A lament `{{H5091}}` can be part of a "parable" or taunt taken up against a fallen people, connecting their downfall to a memorable, instructive saying [[Micah 2:4]].
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H5091}}` lies in its function as a response to divine action, whether in judgment or in a call to repentance.
* **A Sign of Prophetic Judgment:** The act of wailing is frequently commanded by prophets to illustrate the severity of God's coming judgment. It serves as a living parable of the sorrow that will befall a nation, as when Ezekiel is told to **wail** for Egypt [[Ezekiel 32:18]] or when Micah prophesies that the people will **lament** their utter ruin [[Micah 2:4]].
* **An Expression of National Repentance:** Beyond judgment, to **lament** can also signify a collective turning of the heart back to God. The lamentation of Israel after the LORD in 1 Samuel demonstrates a national desire for reconciliation and the restoration of God's presence after a long absence of the ark [[1 Samuel 7:2]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H5091}}` **nâhâh**, while used only a few times, captures a profound and specific type of mourning. It is not merely private sadness but a public and often prophetic **wail** in response to God's actions. Whether signifying the sorrow of divine judgment or the turning of a nation in repentance, **nâhâh** communicates a deep groaning that acknowledges the gravity of sin, loss, and the relationship between God and His people.
TRV