English · KJV
H5150

נִחוּם

nichûwm /nee-khoom'/ Ask about this word
Rootor נִחֻם · from נָחַם
Meaningproperly, consoled; abstractly, solace
KJV usagecomfort(-able), repenting.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of nichûwm — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word nichûwm, represented by H5150, is an abstract term for solace and comfort, and can also mean repenting. It appears only 3 times in 3 unique verses, but each instance provides a profound insight into the nature of divine compassion and restoration.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, H5150 describes God's response to human suffering and waywardness. In Zechariah 1:13, the LORD answers an angel with "good words and comfortable words," offering verbal assurance and solace. God also promises active restoration in Isaiah 57:18, vowing to "restore comforts unto him and to his mourners." The word also conveys a deep, internal emotion within God himself, as seen in Hosea 11:8, where God's heart is turned and His "repentings" are kindled together out of love for Israel.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning and context of H5150:

  • H3648 kâmar (to be deeply affected with passion... yearn): This word is used alongside H5150 in Hosea 11:8, where God's repentings "are kindled together," illustrating the intense, passionate nature of His compassion.
  • H57 ʼâbêl (lamenting; mourn(-er, -ing)): This term identifies the recipients of God's comfort. God promises to restore comforts specifically to "his mourners" in Isaiah 57:18, directly linking divine solace to those experiencing grief.
  • H2896 ṭôwb (good... well): In Zechariah 1:13, the Lord's "comfortable words" are also described as "good words," emphasizing the positive, beneficial, and kind nature of the solace He provides.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H5150 reveals a multi-faceted view of divine comfort.

  • Divine Repentance as Compassion: In Hosea 11:8, "repentings" describes God's internal, emotional turning. It is not a repentance from sin, but a powerful expression of yearning and pity for His people, choosing compassion over destruction.
  • Active Restoration: God's comfort is not passive. He promises to "heal" H7495 and "restore" H7999 comforts to those who are mourning, showing that His solace is an act of divine intervention and renewal Isaiah 57:18.
  • Verbal Assurance: The Lord provides comfort through His spoken word. The "good and comfortable words" in Zechariah 1:13 demonstrate that God communicates his solace and peaceful intentions directly to His people, bringing assurance in times of uncertainty.

Summary

In summary, H5150 provides a window into the heart of God. Though rare, its usage powerfully conveys that divine comfort is not merely a feeling but an active, restorative force. It encompasses God's deeply kindled compassion, His specific promises of solace to the grieving, and His active work to heal and bring peace.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 3 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • נִחֻמִים
  • נִחוּמָ

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H3648 כָּמַר a primitive root; properly, to intertwine or contract, i.e. (by implication) to shrivel (as with heat); figuratively, to H57 אָבֵל from אָבַל; lamenting; mourn(-er, -ing). H2896 טוֹב from טוֹב; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, H7495 רָפָא or רָפָה; a primitive root; properly, to mend (by stitching), i.e. (figuratively) to cure; cure, (cause to) heal, physic H7999 שָׁלַם a primitive root; to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implicatio

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 3 verses across 3 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Isaiah, Hosea, and Zechariah (1 verse each); never once in the other 36.

1
Isaiah
1
Hosea
1
Zechariah

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.