from עָנָה; depression, i.e. misery; afflicted(-ion), trouble.
Transliteration:ʻŏnîy
Pronunciation:on-ee'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun `{{H6040}}` (ʻŏnîy) is derived from the verbal root `{{H6031}}` (ʻānāh), which carries a broad semantic range including "to answer," "to respond," and crucially for `{{H6040}}`, "to humble oneself," "to be afflicted," or "to be brought low." Thus, ʻŏnîy fundamentally denotes a state of "depression," "misery," or "affliction." It encapsulates various forms of hardship, trouble, and suffering.
The semantic range of ʻŏnîy includes:
* **Physical suffering:** Pain, disease, or bodily distress.
* **Emotional distress:** Grief, sorrow, and deep unhappiness.
* **Social oppression:** The hardship experienced by those who are downtrodden, enslaved, or unjustly treated.
* **Economic hardship:** Poverty or lack of resources.
* **Humiliation/Lowliness:** A state of being brought low, often in a spiritual or penitential sense, especially in the context of "afflicting the soul" on the Day of Atonement.
It describes the *condition* or *experience* of being afflicted, rather than the act of afflicting. Its connection to `{{H6031}}` emphasizes the passive nature of suffering and the state of being humbled or made low.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
ʻŏnîy appears frequently throughout the Hebrew Bible, particularly in the Pentateuch, Psalms, and prophetic books, highlighting the pervasive nature of suffering in human experience and God's interaction with it.
* **God's Awareness of Affliction:** One of the most prominent uses of ʻŏnîy is in describing the suffering of the Israelites in Egypt. [[Exodus 3:7]] states, "And the LORD said, 'I have surely seen the affliction [ʻŏnîy] of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows.'" Here, ʻŏnîy signifies the severe oppression and hardship endured under Pharaoh, emphasizing God's compassionate observation and impending deliverance. Similarly, [[1 Samuel 1:11]] uses ʻŏnîy to describe Hannah's deep distress and barrenness, which the Lord "looked upon," leading to her prayer and the birth of Samuel.
* **Personal Trouble and Distress:** In the Psalms, ʻŏnîy frequently describes the psalmist's personal suffering and plea for divine intervention. [[Psalm 25:18]] cries out, "Look on my affliction [ʻŏnîy] and my pain, and forgive all my sins." This verse connects personal suffering with a recognition of sin, seeking both relief from distress and spiritual cleansing. [[Psalm 119:50]] speaks of God's word as comfort in affliction: "This is my comfort in my affliction [ʻŏnîy], for Your word has given me life." Here, ʻŏnîy refers to a general state of hardship from which God's word provides solace.
* **A Call to Humility and Repentance:** In the context of the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), ʻŏnîy takes on a specific ritual meaning. [[Leviticus 23:29]] commands, "For any person who does not afflict his soul [literally: humble his soul in affliction (ʻŏnîy)] on that same day shall be cut off from his people." Here, "afflict your souls" (təʻannû ’et-napšôtêkem) uses the verbal root ʻānāh and ʻŏnîy to denote a solemn act of self-denial, fasting, and repentance, signifying humility before God and contrition for sin. This is a divinely commanded, intentional experience of lowliness.
* **Consequence of Sin or Testing:** [[Proverbs 24:10]] warns, "If you faint in the day of adversity [ʻŏnîy], your strength is small." While not explicitly linking ʻŏnîy to sin, it acknowledges that periods of trouble are inevitable, testing one's resolve. In prophetic literature, ʻŏnîy can sometimes be seen as a consequence of Israel's disobedience, intended to bring them back to God (e.g., [[Lamentations 3:1]] where the prophet experiences "the rod of His wrath").
### Related Words & Concepts
The understanding of ʻŏnîy is enriched by examining its relationship to other Hebrew terms:
* **Root Verb `{{H6031}}` (ʻānāh):** The direct verbal root, meaning "to humble oneself," "to be afflicted," "to answer." ʻŏnîy is the resulting state or condition.
* **`{{H6039}}` (ʻānî):** An adjective and noun meaning "poor," "afflicted," "humble." This describes the *person* who is in a state of ʻŏnîy. The ʻānî is often the object of God's special care and protection.
* **`{{H6035}}` (ʻānāw):** Similar to ʻānî, this noun/adjective also means "humble," "meek," or "afflicted." It often carries a positive connotation of spiritual humility.
* **`{{H6869}}` (tsārāh):** "Distress," "trouble," "anguish." Often used synonymously or in conjunction with ʻŏnîy to describe a period of severe difficulty. While tsārāh can be more about external pressure or narrowness, ʻŏnîy often emphasizes the internal experience of misery.
* **`{{H5999}}` (āmāl):** "Toil," "trouble," "misery," often associated with burdensome labor or the futility of human effort, as seen in Ecclesiastes.
* **`{{H3015}}` (yāgôn):** "Sorrow," "grief," focusing more on the emotional pain.
* **`{{H7451}}` (raʻ):** "Evil," "bad," "calamity," "adversity." A very broad term that can encompass ʻŏnîy as a form of "badness" or misfortune.
The interconnectedness of these terms highlights a rich biblical vocabulary for describing the human experience of suffering, poverty, and humility, and the divine response to it.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ʻŏnîy is profound, touching upon core themes of divine justice, compassion, human brokenness, and spiritual discipline.
* **God's Compassion and Deliverance:** A central theological truth is that God is not indifferent to ʻŏnîy. He "sees" and "hears" the affliction of His people, as demonstrated in the Exodus narrative. This underscores His covenant faithfulness and His character as a compassionate deliverer who intervenes on behalf of the oppressed. The Psalms frequently affirm that God saves the afflicted and gives justice to the poor.
* **The Role of Affliction in Spiritual Growth:** While often a consequence of a fallen world or human sin, ʻŏnîy is also presented as a means by which God refines, teaches, and draws His people closer to Himself. [[Psalm 119:71]] states, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted [using the root ʻānāh], that I may learn Your statutes." Affliction can lead to deeper dependence on God, humility, and a greater appreciation for His word and deliverance.
* **Humility and Repentance:** The use of ʻŏnîy on the Day of Atonement emphasizes its connection to humility and repentance. "Afflicting the soul" is an act of self-abasement before a holy God, acknowledging one's sinfulness and reliance on divine mercy. This ritualistic ʻŏnîy is a proactive, volitional act of humility, distinct from passively experienced suffering.
* **The Suffering of the Righteous:** The biblical narrative does not shy away from the reality that the righteous also experience ʻŏnîy. The laments in the Psalms are a testament to this. This challenges simplistic notions of cause and effect for suffering and points towards a deeper theological understanding of God's presence *in* suffering, rather than merely its absence.
* **Anticipation of Messiah's Suffering:** In a broader sense, the pervasive theme of ʻŏnîy in the Old Testament, particularly in the Psalms and prophetic books (e.g., Isaiah's Suffering Servant), foreshadows the ultimate ʻŏnîy experienced by the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who bore the ultimate affliction for humanity's sin.
### Summary
`{{H6040}}` (ʻŏnîy) is a rich and multifaceted Hebrew term denoting "affliction," "misery," or "trouble." Derived from the root `{{H6031}}` (ʻānāh), it encompasses physical, emotional, social, and economic hardship, as well as a spiritual state of lowliness or humility. Biblically, ʻŏnîy is frequently used to describe the suffering of God's people, prompting His compassionate intervention, as seen in the Exodus narrative and the laments of the Psalms. It also signifies a commanded act of self-denial and repentance on the Day of Atonement. Theologically, ʻŏnîy highlights God's attentiveness to human suffering, His role as deliverer, and the transformative potential of affliction in fostering spiritual growth and humility. It underscores a profound truth: even in the deepest ʻŏnîy, God is present, and His word offers comfort and life.
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