The Hebrew word ʼănâchâh, represented by H585, describes a deep expression of distress, translated as sighing or groaning. It appears 11 times across 11 unique verses, consistently depicting a profound and audible sound of anguish stemming from sorrow, weariness, or physical pain.
In the biblical narrative, H585 is used to illustrate the depths of human suffering. For Job, his sighing is a constant companion that comes before his food Job 3:24. The Psalms portray it as an expression of extreme weariness and grief, leading to a bed watered with tears Psalms 6:6 and the physical decay of the body, where strength fails and bones are consumed Psalms 31:10. This groaning is often a response to affliction and iniquity Lamentations 1:22. However, scripture also presents a future hope where God's redemptive work will cause all sighing and sorrow to flee away for the redeemed of the LORD Isaiah 35:10.
Several related words help illustrate the full scope of the experience that causes such groaning:
- H3015 yâgôwn (grief, sorrow): This word for affliction is frequently paired with H585, highlighting that groaning is an outward expression of internal grief. In the future restoration, both sorrow and sighing will flee away together Isaiah 51:11.
- H3021 yâgaʻ (faint, labour, weary): This term signifies the physical exhaustion that accompanies deep distress. The psalmist is "weary with my groaning" Psalms 6:6, and Jeremiah "fainted in my sighing" Jeremiah 45:3.
- H6106 ʻetsem (bone, body, selfsame): The connection to bones demonstrates how deeply this sorrow affects the physical body. Sufferers feel their bones are consumed Psalms 31:10 or cleave to their skin by reason of their groaning Psalms 102:5.
- H1742 davvây (faint, troubled): This word describes a state of sickness or trouble and is used to describe the faint heart that produces "many sighs" Lamentations 1:22.
The theological weight of H585 is significant, reflecting the human condition in a fallen world.
- Expression of Affliction: Groaning is a visceral response to pain and grief. It can be a complaint of bitter circumstances Job 23:2 or the result of sorrow added by the LORD Jeremiah 45:3.
- Consequence of Iniquity: The Bible directly links this suffering to sin. A life spent with grief and years with sighing are the result of iniquity, which causes strength to fail Psalms 31:10.
- A Cry Heard by God: Though a sound of despair, it is not unheard by God. The psalmist confidently states to the Lord, "my groaning is not hid from thee" Psalms 38:9, indicating it functions as an honest cry for help.
- Promise of Cessation: Prophetic passages use the end of sighing as a key sign of God's final redemption. The LORD promises to make sighing cease Isaiah 21:2 and replace it with everlasting joy for his ransomed people in Zion Isaiah 35:10.
In summary, H585 conveys much more than a simple sigh. It is a profound, physical manifestation of a heart and body overwhelmed by grief, iniquity, and weariness. It represents the painful reality of suffering in the present age, while also pointing toward a future redemptive hope where God himself will silence every groan and replace it with everlasting joy.
TRV