feminine of נַהַם; snarling; disquietness, roaring.
Transliteration:nᵉhâmâh
Pronunciation:neh-haw-maw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun נְהָמָה (nᵉhâmâh, `{{H5100}}`) is derived from the verbal root נָהַם (naham, `{{H5098}}`), which fundamentally describes a deep, guttural sound, often associated with animals like lions or bears. As a feminine noun, נְהָמָה carries the primary senses of "snarling" or "roaring." However, its semantic range extends beyond mere animalistic sounds to encompass human expressions of profound internal turmoil and distress. This extension leads to meanings such as "disquietness," "groaning," or "moaning," indicating a deep, audible expression of sorrow, anguish, or lament that emanates from within. The word thus bridges the gap between a raw, primal sound and a deeply human, emotional outcry.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word נְהָמָה (nᵉhâmâh, `{{H5100}}`) appears exclusively in the Book of Job, a text profoundly concerned with human suffering and lament. Its two occurrences are:
* [[Job 3:24]]: "For my groaning comes before my food, and my cries pour out like water."
* Here, נְהָמָה is translated as "groaning." In this verse, Job is articulating the depth of his suffering, stating that his lament is so pervasive and overwhelming that it precedes even his basic need for food. The "groaning" is an involuntary, visceral response to his immense physical and emotional pain, signifying a state of continuous, profound distress.
* [[Job 30:28]]: "I go about mourning, without the sun; I stand up in the assembly and cry for help."
* In this context, נְהָמָה is rendered as "moaning" or "crying for help." Job describes his desolate state, wandering in darkness and expressing his anguish publicly. The "moaning" here is a sustained sound of deep sorrow and a desperate plea, reflecting his utter despair and isolation.
In both instances, נְהָמָה does not refer to an external threat or an animal's roar, but rather to Job's personal, intense, and audible manifestation of his inner suffering. It signifies a deep, sustained sound of lament that arises from the very core of his being, indicative of his profound disquiet and anguish.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Root Verb:** The direct verbal root is נָהַם (naham, `{{H5098}}`), meaning "to growl, snarl, roar." This root can describe the sound of a lion ([[Proverbs 28:15]]) or the groaning of a human in distress ([[Isaiah 5:29]], [[Isaiah 59:11]]). נְהָמָה is the noun form, specifically capturing the *sound* or *state* of this groaning.
* **Words for Lament and Distress:** נְהָמָה belongs to a semantic field of words expressing deep sorrow and anguish. Other related terms include:
* אָנַח (anach, `{{H584}}`): "to sigh, groan."
* נָהָה (nahah, `{{H5091}}`): "to wail, lament."
* בָּכָה (bakah, `{{H1058}}`): "to weep."
* צוּק (tsuq, `{{H6693}}`): "distress, anguish."
* אֲנָחָה (anachah, `{{H585}}`): "sighing, groaning" (a noun from אָנַח).
The distinctiveness of נְהָמָה lies in its emphasis on a deep, almost guttural sound of distress, linking the primal roar to the profound human experience of lament.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of נְהָמָה in the Book of Job carries significant theological weight.
* **Authenticity of Lament:** The word provides a raw, unfiltered depiction of human suffering. It underscores that honest, even agonizing, expressions of pain are permissible and acknowledged within the biblical narrative. Job's נְהָמָה is not a sign of faithlessness but rather an authentic and deeply human response to inexplicable suffering, a cry that reaches God.
* **God's Presence in Suffering:** By recording such intense expressions of lament, Scripture affirms that God is present even in the deepest valleys of human experience. The "groaning" of Job is a form of prayer, a desperate communication with the divine, even when understanding is absent.
* **The Depth of Human Anguish:** נְהָמָה illustrates the profound, visceral nature of human anguish. It is not merely a mental state but a physical, audible manifestation of a soul in disquiet. This highlights the comprehensive impact of suffering on the human person—body, soul, and spirit.
* **Contrast and Transformation:** While its root is associated with animalistic roars, the application of נְהָמָה to Job's human groaning elevates the term. It transforms a sound of aggression or wildness into a sound of profound vulnerability and desperate appeal, signifying the unique capacity of humanity to articulate spiritual and existential pain.
### Summary
נְהָמָה (nᵉhâmâh, `{{H5100}}`) is a powerful Hebrew noun derived from the root נָהַם (naham, `{{H5098}}`), initially denoting a "snarl" or "roar." However, its exclusive usage in the Book of Job ([[Job 3:24]], [[Job 30:28]]) refines its meaning to a deep, visceral "groaning" or "moaning." This word captures the profound internal "disquietness" and anguish experienced by Job, representing an authentic, audible expression of intense suffering and lament. נְהָמָה underscores the biblical validation of human lament, demonstrating that even in the throes of inexplicable pain, the cries of the afflicted are heard and recorded within the divine narrative, affirming God's presence amidst profound human sorrow. It is a testament to the raw, unedited honesty of faith that cries out even in its deepest despair.
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