### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **ʼânach**, represented by `{{H584}}`, is a primitive root that means **to sigh; groan, mourn, sigh**. It appears **12 times** across **11 unique verses** in the Bible, consistently conveying a deep, audible expression of grief, affliction, or distress. This term captures the physical and emotional reaction to suffering, whether from oppression, sin, or judgment.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H584}}` is used to describe the suffering of God's people and the consequences of sin. The children of Israel **sighed** because of their bondage in Egypt, a sound that rose up to God [[Exodus 2:23]]. It is also the response of the people when the wicked are in power [[Proverbs 29:2]]. In prophetic contexts, Ezekiel is commanded to **sigh** with bitterness as a sign of impending doom [[Ezekiel 21:6]]. The book of Lamentations uses the word repeatedly to personify Jerusalem's sorrow, depicting her priests and people **sighing** under the weight of desolation and sin ([[Lamentations 1:4]], [[Lamentations 1:8]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide a fuller picture of the sounds of sorrow and distress:
* `{{H602}}` **ʼânaq** (to shriek; cry, groan): This word often appears alongside `{{H584}}` to intensify the expression of anguish. In Ezekiel, God marks those "that **sigh** and that **cry**" for the city's abominations [[Ezekiel 9:4]].
* `{{H56}}` **ʼâbal** (to bewail; lament, mourn): This describes a state of mourning that leads to the audible sighing of `{{H584}}`. In Isaiah, the new wine **mourneth**, and as a result, "all the merryhearted do **sigh**" [[Isaiah 24:7]].
* `{{H535}}` **ʼâmal** (to droop; to be sick, to mourn; languish, be weak, wax feeble): This term describes the withering or weakening that accompanies sorrow. It is used in parallel with `{{H584}}` when the vine **languisheth**, causing the people to sigh [[Isaiah 24:7]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H584}}` is significant, highlighting God's attention to human suffering.
* **A Cry Heard by God:** The sighing of the Israelites in Egypt was not ignored; their cry came up to God, initiating His plan for deliverance [[Exodus 2:23]]. This shows that groaning from oppression reaches heaven.
* **A Righteous Response to Sin:** In Ezekiel's vision, those who **sigh** and cry over the abominations in Jerusalem are the ones who receive God's protective mark, distinguishing them from the unrighteous [[Ezekiel 9:4]].
* **The Consequence of Judgment:** The sighing in Lamentations is a direct result of sin and God's subsequent judgment, serving as a solemn reminder of the painful fruit of disobedience [[Lamentations 1:8]]. Even creation itself is depicted as groaning under a curse [[Joel 1:18]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H584}}` is a powerful and visceral word that gives voice to deep pain. It is not a silent sorrow but an audible groan caused by affliction, injustice, and the consequences of sin. From the groans of an enslaved nation to the commanded sighs of a prophet, **ʼânach** represents a profound expression of a heart in anguish, a sound that scripture shows God both notices and responds to.
TRV