a primitive root; properly, to roil water; figuratively, to disturb or affict; trouble, stir.
Transliteration:ʻâkar
Pronunciation:aw-kar'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root `{{H5916}}` (ʻâkar) is a primitive verb whose foundational meaning is rooted in the physical act of "to roil" or "to stir up" water. This vivid imagery immediately conveys a sense of disruption, clouding, or making something unclear and turbulent. From this literal sense, the word extends figuratively to encompass a broader semantic range of "to disturb," "to trouble," "to afflict," or "to bring disaster upon." It implies an action that introduces chaos, distress, or defilement into a previously settled or pure state. The disturbance caused by `{{H5916}}` is often significant, impacting individuals, families, or even an entire community, leading to distress, guilt, or divine judgment.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb `{{H5916}}` appears a limited number of times in the Old Testament, yet its occurrences are highly significant and often carry weighty theological implications.
* **[[Joshua 6:18]]; [[Joshua 7:25]] (x2):** These passages are perhaps the most famous and illustrative. Achan's sin of taking devoted things after the fall of Jericho is explicitly stated as causing Israel to be "troubled" or "brought trouble" (ʻâkar) upon the camp. Joshua declares, "Why have you troubled us? The Lord will trouble you this day" [[Joshua 7:25]]. This highlights the reciprocal nature of sin and its consequence: Achan's actions brought corporate affliction, and he in turn received divine judgment, being "troubled" by God. The imagery of "troubling" the camp suggests defilement, disruption of divine favor, and the introduction of a curse.
* **[[1 Samuel 14:29]]:** Here, Jonathan laments that his father Saul has "troubled" the land by imposing a rash oath, preventing the people from eating and thus weakening them in battle. The "trouble" here is a hindrance to the people's well-being and effectiveness, demonstrating the negative impact of human leadership's poor decisions.
* **[[Proverbs 11:29]]:** This proverb states, "Whoever troubles his own household will inherit wind." The "troubling" (ʻâkar) of one's household refers to actions that bring discord, ruin, or distress to one's own family, leading to a futile and empty inheritance. This underscores the destructive consequences of internal strife and mismanagement.
* **[[Job 21:17]]:** In Job's lament, he questions why the lamp of the wicked is not "put out" (some translations use "troubled" or "extinguished" here, though the primary sense is cessation). While the KJV translates "troubled," many modern versions render it as "quenched" or "extinguished," suggesting a disturbance that leads to cessation or ruin.
The core meaning in these contexts is consistently about bringing about a state of turmoil, distress, or ruin, often as a consequence of sin or poor judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of "trouble" or "affliction" in the Hebrew Bible is conveyed by several distinct but related terms, each with its own nuance.
* **`{{H6031}}` ('ānāh):** To afflict, humble, oppress. This word often describes physical or emotional suffering, frequently imposed by others or by God as discipline. While `{{H5916}}` emphasizes the *act* of causing trouble, `{{H6031}}` often describes the *state* of being afflicted.
* **`{{H6693}}` (tsarar):** To be narrow, distressed, or hostile. This root conveys a sense of constriction, anguish, or enmity. It describes the state of being in a tight spot or under pressure, which can be a result of the "troubling" of `{{H5916}}`.
* **`{{H7489}}` (rā'a):** To be evil, bad, or displeasing. This broad term can describe moral evil, calamity, or misfortune. The "trouble" caused by `{{H5916}}` often results in `{{H7489}}` (evil/calamity).
* **`{{H2000}}` (hāmām):** To discomfit, throw into confusion, rout. This word describes a state of panic or disorder, often divinely induced, which aligns with the "stirring" or "disturbing" aspect of `{{H5916}}`.
The unique contribution of `{{H5916}}` lies in its imagery of "roiling water," suggesting a disruption that clouds clarity, defiles purity, and introduces an unsettling turbulence. It often implies a cause-and-effect relationship where a specific action (often sin) leads to a widespread, unsettling consequence.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H5916}}` is profound, particularly in its association with sin and its corporate consequences.
1. **Sin as a Source of Corporate Trouble:** The Achan narrative in Joshua is the paradigmatic example. A single individual's sin (`{{H5916}}`) "troubled" the entire community, leading to defeat and divine wrath. This illustrates the biblical principle that sin is not merely a private affair but can have devastating ripple effects, impacting the innocent and disrupting the covenant relationship between God and His people. It underscores the interconnectedness of the community and the gravity of individual transgression.
2. **Divine Retribution:** In [[Joshua 7:25]], Joshua declares, "The Lord will trouble you this day." This demonstrates that God Himself can "trouble" those who bring trouble upon His people or violate His commands. It speaks to God's justice and His active involvement in upholding covenant integrity, even through judgment.
3. **Disruption of Well-being:** The use in [[1 Samuel 14:29]] and [[Proverbs 11:29]] extends the concept beyond divine judgment to human actions that disrupt peace, prosperity, and familial harmony. Saul's rash oath "troubled" the land, hindering the army's effectiveness. Similarly, one who "troubles" his own household brings ruin upon himself and his family. This highlights the practical, earthly consequences of poor leadership, selfishness, or internal strife.
4. **Moral Defilement:** The original imagery of "roiling water" suggests a defilement or clouding of what was clear or pure. Sin, in this sense, "troubles" the moral landscape, introducing impurity and confusion. It obscures the divine order and brings about a state of spiritual disarray.
In essence, `{{H5916}}` serves as a powerful verbal image for the disruptive, defiling, and often calamitous consequences that flow from sin, whether individual or corporate, and the just response of God to such transgressions.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb `{{H5916}}` (ʻâkar) fundamentally means "to roil water," extending figuratively to "to disturb," "to trouble," or "to afflict." Its core semantic range emphasizes the introduction of chaos, distress, or defilement into a state of order or purity. Key biblical occurrences, notably the Achan narrative in [[Joshua 7:25]], powerfully illustrate how individual sin can "trouble" an entire community, leading to corporate judgment. Other contexts, such as [[1 Samuel 14:29]] and [[Proverbs 11:29]], show how human actions and poor decisions can likewise bring distress and ruin upon a land or a household. The word highlights the profound and often far-reaching consequences of transgression, underscoring the interconnectedness of individuals within a community and the righteous response of God to sin. It vividly portrays sin as a disruptive force that clouds clarity, defiles purity, and brings about a state of spiritual and physical disarray.
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