### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word H5098 (נָהַם, *nâham*) is a primitive root signifying a deep, guttural sound. Its primary semantic range encompasses the growl or roar of an animal, particularly a predatory beast like a lion. From this primal sound, its meaning extends metaphorically to human expression, denoting a deep, mournful sound, a groan, or a lament that arises from profound internal distress or sorrow. It implies a sound that is often involuntary and indicative of deep-seated anguish, sometimes akin to a suppressed roar of pain or pining. Thus, nâham bridges the animalistic expression of power and threat with the human expression of grief and internal turmoil.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of H5098 in the Hebrew Bible illustrate its dual application:
* **Animalistic Roar/Growl (Predatory & Threatening):**
* In [[Proverbs 28:15]], a "roaring lion" (אֲרִי נֹהֵם) is used to describe a wicked ruler, emphasizing the danger, oppression, and predatory nature of such leadership over the poor. The sound here is one of intimidation and impending destruction.
* [[Isaiah 5:29]] employs nâham to describe the roar and growl of invading armies, likened to lions seizing prey. This vividly portrays the overwhelming, relentless, and destructive force of God's judgment through foreign powers.
* Similarly, [[Jeremiah 51:38]] uses nâham to depict the Babylonians roaring and growling like lions, again highlighting their predatory and destructive intent against the nations.
* [[Isaiah 5:30]] extends the metaphor, stating, "they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea." Here, nâham conveys an overwhelming, chaotic, and irresistible force, akin to the tumultuous waves of the ocean, symbolizing divine judgment and national calamity.
* **Human Mourning/Groaning (Internal Distress & Lament):**
* [[Psalm 38:8]] uses nâham to describe the psalmist's personal suffering: "I groan because of the turmoil of my heart." This indicates a deep, internal anguish, a sound of profound distress that emanates from within, rather than an outward wail. It suggests a suppressed or involuntary sound of pain.
* In [[Ezekiel 24:23]], in the context of the fall of Jerusalem and the death of Ezekiel's wife, the people are commanded not to mourn or weep outwardly but to "pine away for your iniquities, and mourn (תֵּהָמוּ) one toward another." Here, nâham signifies a deep, internal, and perhaps suppressed groaning or lament, a profound sorrow that is felt but not expressed through conventional ritualistic mourning. It highlights the severity of their judgment, where even the solace of open lament is denied, leading to a silent, internal groaning due to their sins.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of H5098 connects it to other Hebrew words describing sounds, particularly those of animals and human lamentation:
* **Animal Sounds:**
* `{{H7580}}` (שָׁאַג, *sha'ag*): To roar, specifically of a lion, often conveying a louder, more assertive roar than nâham.
* `{{H1993}}` (הָמָה, *hamah*): To make a noise, roar, be in commotion; can refer to the roaring of the sea or the inner turmoil of the heart, showing conceptual overlap with nâham in some contexts.
* **Human Lamentation/Distress:**
* `{{H5091}}` (נָהָה, *nahah*): To wail, lament, often referring to public or professional mourning. nâham is more internal.
* `{{H6031}}` (אָנַח, *anach*): To sigh, groan, often from oppression or distress, similar to the internal groaning aspect of nâham.
* `{{H5101}}` (נֶהִי, *nehi*): A noun meaning lamentation, wailing, derived from `{{H5091}}`.
* **Concepts:** Oppression, divine judgment, deep sorrow, inner turmoil, predatory power, consequences of sin.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H5098 is multifaceted:
* **Divine Judgment and Wrath:** The roaring of the lion or the sea, as depicted by nâham, serves as a potent metaphor for God's overwhelming and terrifying judgment against human sin and injustice. It signifies an unstoppable, predatory force that executes divine decrees, bringing about destruction and calamity. It underscores the awesome power and righteous anger of God.
* **The Nature of Evil and Oppression:** When applied to wicked rulers or invading armies, nâham vividly portrays the predatory, destructive, and intimidating nature of human evil and oppression. It highlights the suffering inflicted by those who wield power unjustly, emphasizing the danger they pose to the vulnerable.
* **The Depth of Human Suffering and Sin:** In its human application, nâham reveals the profound internal anguish that can consume individuals. Whether a groan from physical affliction or a pining due to iniquity, it speaks to the raw, visceral impact of suffering and the deep, often unexpressed, consequences of sin. It underscores that sin leads to internal brokenness and a deep sense of lament, even when outward expressions are restrained. This internal groaning can be seen as a primal cry from the depths of human despair and a recognition of one's fallen state.
### Summary
H5098 (נָהַם, *nâham*) is a powerful Hebrew word denoting a deep, guttural sound. Primarily, it describes the growl or roar of a predatory animal, particularly a lion, symbolizing danger, destructive force, and overwhelming power, often used in contexts of divine judgment, wicked rulers, or invading armies. Secondarily, nâham extends to human expression, signifying a deep groan or mournful sound arising from profound internal distress, sorrow, or pining due to suffering or the consequences of sin. Theologically, it illuminates the terrifying nature of divine judgment, the predatory character of evil, and the profound, often internal, anguish experienced by humanity in the face of suffering and as a result of iniquity. It captures a primal sound of both threat and lament.
TRV