### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **ʻâgam**, represented by `{{H5701}}`, is a primitive root used to mean **to be sad** or **grieve**. It is a very specific term, appearing only **1 times** across **1 unique verses** in the Bible. Its sole use describes a deep, internal sorrow of the soul in response to the suffering of others.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The single appearance of `{{H5701}}` is in the book of Job, where Job defends his righteousness before his friends. In a rhetorical question, he asks, "was not my soul **grieved** for the poor?" [[Job 30:25]]. Here, the word describes a profound emotional state, a grieving of his soul (`{{H5315}}`) on behalf of those who are poor (`{{H34}}`) and in trouble (`{{H7186}}`). The word is paired directly with the act of weeping, showing it as the internal counterpart to an outward expression of sorrow.
### Related Words & Concepts
The context of `{{H5701}}` in [[Job 30:25]] connects it with several other words that define the nature and cause of this grief:
* `{{H1058}}` **bâkâh** (to weep; generally to bemoan): This is the external act paired with the internal feeling of `ʻâgam`. Job links them directly: "Did not I **weep**... was not my soul grieved?" [[Job 30:25]].
* `{{H7186}}` **qâsheh** (severe...sorrowful...in trouble): This word defines the cause of the sorrow. Job's grief is a response to seeing another "in trouble" [[Job 30:25]], a state described as grievous or severe.
* `{{H34}}` **ʼebyôwn** (destitute...needy, poor): This further specifies the object of righteous compassion. Job's soul is grieved specifically for the **poor** [[Job 30:25]], a group the Lord promises to arise for [[Psalms 12:5]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H5701}}` is derived entirely from its singular, powerful context.
* **Righteous Empathy:** The sole use of `{{H5701}}` frames profound grief for others not as a weakness, but as a mark of righteous character. Job presents his grieved soul as evidence of his integrity, implying that being moved by the plight of the poor (`{{H34}}`) and those in trouble (`{{H7186}}`) is a godly trait [[Job 30:25]].
* **Internal State of Compassion:** The word points to an inner reality of compassion. By locating the grief in the "soul" (`{{H5315}}`), scripture distinguishes it from mere outward performance. It is a deep, personal response to suffering, linked to knowing God, as seen when judging "the cause of the poor and needy" is equated with knowing the Lord [[Jeremiah 22:16]].
* **Sorrow for the Vulnerable:** The focus of the grief is outward, directed at "the poor" and those "in trouble". This highlights a core biblical value of concern for the vulnerable, connecting an internal state of being grieved with the foundation of justice and righteousness.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H5701}}` **ʻâgam** is a rare but impactful word that means **to grieve**. Its single appearance in the Bible [[Job 30:25]] is significant, defining a deep sorrow of the soul for the poor and afflicted. It is not a self-centered sadness, but an empathetic grief that is presented as a component of a righteous life. Through this one verse, `ʻâgam` powerfully illustrates the biblical principle that a just character is marked by a heartfelt, internal compassion for those who suffer.
TRV