The Hebrew word nihyâh, represented by H5093, is a rare term for a doleful lamentation. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in scripture. As the feminine form of H5092 nᵉhîy, it carries the core meaning of an elegy or wailing but intensifies it to describe a state of profound and grievous sorrow.
The sole appearance of H5093 is in Micah 2:4, in a prophecy of judgment. The verse states that a parable will be taken up against the people, and they will "lament with a doleful lamentation." This profound grief is a direct response to being "utterly spoiled" H7703 and seeing their portion H2506 and fields H7704 divided and taken away. The word is part of a poetic phrase that emphasizes the extreme nature of their sorrow at the loss of their inheritance.
Several related words clarify the context of this intense sorrow:
- H5092 nᵉhîy (lamentation, wailing): This is the masculine noun from which H5093 is derived. It appears alongside it in Micah 2:4 to create the phrase "doleful lamentation." It is also used to describe the "bitter weeping" for lost children Jeremiah 31:15.
- H5091 nâhâh (lament, wail): This is the root verb, meaning to groan or bewail. It is the action that produces the "doleful lamentation" in Micah 2:4. It is also used when the house of Israel "lamented after the LORD" 1 Samuel 7:2.
- H4912 mâshâl (parable, proverb): This term introduces the lament in Micah 2:4. The "doleful lamentation" is part of a prophetic parable, suggesting the people's tragic fate would become a cautionary tale.
- H7703 shâdad (spoil, destroy): This word provides the reason for the lamentation. The people cry out, "We be utterly spoiled" Micah 2:4, directly linking their grief to the complete devastation they face.
The theological weight of H5093 is concentrated in its single, powerful usage.
- The Sorrow of Judgment: The word exists to articulate the specific kind of grief that results from God's judgment. The lament is not for a natural loss but for the consequences of sin, where God has changed H4171 the portion H2506 of His people Micah 2:4.
- An Emphatic Expression of Loss: By using both the masculine H5092 and feminine H5093 forms together, the text in Micah 2:4 creates a superlative sense of sorrow. This linguistic doubling underscores the totality of the people's devastation and the irreplaceable nature of what was lost.
- Prophetic Warning: The term is used within a parable H4912 that will be taken up "in that day" H3117, framing the lamentation as a future reality. It serves as a stark warning that the actions of the people will culminate in a sorrow so complete it will become their defining story.
In summary, nihyâh H5093 is far more than a simple word for sadness. It is a highly specific and rare term that signifies a uniquely doleful and intense lamentation. Its singular appearance in Micah 2:4 powerfully captures the profound grief that accompanies divine judgment, specifically the complete and utter loss of a people's God-given inheritance. It serves as a solemn reminder of the deep sorrow that follows disobedience.
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