English · KJV
H6026

עָנַג

ʻânag /aw-nag'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto be soft or pliable, i.e. (figuratively) effeminate or luxurious
KJV usagedelicate(-ness), (have) delight (self), sport self.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ʻânag — 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 ʻânag, represented by H6026, describes a state of being soft, pliable, or luxurious. Appearing 10 times in 10 unique verses, it figuratively expresses concepts of delicate living, personal delight, and even sporting oneself. Its meaning ranges from a tender, physical delicateness to a deep, spiritual pleasure.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H6026 is used to convey a profound sense of satisfaction and joy, often in relation to God. Believers are called to delight themselves in the LORD H3068, with the promise that He will grant the desires of their heart Psalms 37:4. This act of delighting in the Almighty H7706 is presented as a mark of a righteous person Job 22:26, in contrast to the wicked who will not consistently call upon God Job 27:10. The word also describes the physical state of being delicate, as with the "tender and delicate" woman Deuteronomy 28:56 or the "comely and delicate" daughter of Zion Jeremiah 6:2. In a negative context, it is used for those who sport themselves in mockery Isaiah 57:4.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help to clarify the meaning of H6026:

  • H6028 ʻânôg (delicate): This adjectival form comes from the same root and is used alongside H6026 to emphasize a state of luxury and tenderness, as seen in the description of a woman who has never had to set her foot upon the ground Deuteronomy 28:56.
  • H1880 deshen (fatness): This term represents the source of satisfaction. In Isaiah 55:2, the soul is invited to delight itself in "fatness," signifying the rich spiritual abundance provided by God, as opposed to laboring for things that do not satisfy.
  • H6035 ʻânâv (meek): This word identifies those who will experience true delight. The Bible states that the meek will inherit the earth and delight themselves in the abundance of peace Psalms 37:11.
  • H7706 Shadday (Almighty): This name for God is the object of delight in the book of Job. One can have thy delight in the Almighty Job 22:26, a question posed to challenge the integrity of the wicked Job 27:10.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H6026 is significant, highlighting the nature of a true relationship with God.

  • Conditional Blessing: The act of delighting in God is directly linked to receiving divine favor and promises. When one delights in the LORD, He gives the desires of the heart Psalms 37:4 and causes them to "ride upon the high places of the earth" Isaiah 58:14.
  • Spiritual Satisfaction: Isaiah contrasts spending labor H3018 for bread H3899 that does not satisfy with hearkening to God and allowing one's soul H5315 to delight itself in fatness H1880, establishing a principle that true fulfillment is found in God alone.
  • The Object of Delight: The focus is consistently placed on God as the proper source of all delight, whether referred to as the LORD H3068 or the Almighty H7706. This frames delight as an act of worship and trust.
  • Future Restoration: The term is connected to the future hope of God's people. The meek will delight in abundant peace upon inheriting the earth Psalms 37:11, and the children of Zion will be delighted with the abundance of her glory Isaiah 66:11.

Summary

In summary, H6026 is a rich term that moves beyond simple happiness. It encompasses both a physical state of softness and luxury and a profound spiritual state of finding ultimate pleasure and satisfaction in the LORD. It teaches that true delight is not found in worldly pursuits but is a gift experienced by the meek and humble who direct their hearts toward the Almighty, leading to divine blessing and eternal 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 verb across 10 occurrences, inflected in 9 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.

  • תִּתְעַנַּג
  • תִתְעַנַּג
  • הִתְעַנַּגְתֶּם
  • הִתְעַנְּגוּ
  • הִתְעַנַּג
  • תִּתְעַנָּגוּ
  • יִתְעַנָּג
  • הִתְעַנֵּג
  • מְּעֻנָּגָה

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.

H3068 יְהֹוָה from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹו H7706 שַׁדַּי from שָׁדַד; the Almighty; Almighty. H6028 עָנֹג from עָנַג; luxurious; delicate. H1880 דֶּשֶׁן from דָּשֵׁן; the fat; abstractly fatness, i.e. (figuratively) abundance; specifically the (fatty) ashes of sacrifices; H6035 עָנָו or (by intermixture with עָנִי) עָנָיו; from עָנָה; depressed (figuratively), in mind (gentle) or circumstances (needy, H3018 יְגִיעַ from יָגַע; toil; hence, a work, produce, property (as the result of labor); labour, work.

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 10 verses across 5 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Isaiah (4 verses); never once in the other 34.

1
Deuteronomy
2
Job
2
Psalms
4
Isaiah
1
Jeremiah

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.