### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **ʻoshqâh**, represented by `{{H6234}}`, signifies **anguish** and a state of being **oppressed**. As the feminine form of עֹשֶׁק, its meaning is specific and poignant. This term is exceptionally rare, appearing only **1 time** in the entire Bible, making its single context highly significant.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole appearance of `{{H6234}}` is found in [[Isaiah 38:14]], within a personal lament. The speaker expresses profound distress, comparing his sounds of grief to the chattering of a crane or swallow and the mourning of a dove. In this moment of desperation, with eyes failing from looking upward, he cries out to God, "O LORD, I am **oppressed**; undertake for me." The word captures the core feeling of being crushed and in need of immediate divine intervention.
### Related Words & Concepts
The plea in [[Isaiah 38:14]] pairs `{{H6234}}` with other key verbs that illuminate its meaning:
* `{{H1897}}` **hâgâh** (to mourn): Used in [[Isaiah 38:14]] to describe the speaker's mourning, this word has a broad range of meanings. It can refer to deep and quiet **meditation** on God's law ([[Joshua 1:8]], [[Psalms 1:2]]), but also to the **muttering** of wizards [[Isaiah 8:19]] or the **uttering** of words from the heart [[Isaiah 59:13]]. This versatility highlights the deep, guttural nature of the grief expressed alongside the feeling of oppression.
* `{{H6148}}` **ʻârab** (undertake): This is the specific action requested from God in response to the oppression. Its root meaning involves intermixing or giving security. Elsewhere, it is used for being **surety** for a friend [[Proverbs 6:1]], to **mingle** with other peoples [[Ezra 9:2]], or to not **meddle** with those given to change [[Proverbs 24:21]]. In this context, the plea is for God to act as a guarantor or become surety for the afflicted person.
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H6234}}` is derived entirely from its singular, powerful use in scripture.
* **The Cry of the Afflicted:** The term gives voice to a state of profound personal anguish where an individual feels completely overwhelmed, leading to a direct and desperate appeal to the LORD for help.
* **A Plea for Divine Suretyship:** The feeling of being "oppressed" is immediately followed by the request for God to "undertake" `{{H6148}}` for the sufferer. This is not a vague cry for help but a specific appeal for God to step in as a personal guarantor, taking responsibility for the person's dire situation.
* **A Model of Lament:** The verse provides a stark model of prayer in distress, where the declaration of one's own weakness and oppression is the basis for seeking God's direct intervention and security.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H6234}}` is a highly specific term for anguish and oppression. While appearing only once, its context in [[Isaiah 38:14]] provides a definitive and moving portrait of human suffering. Its meaning is fully realized when seen alongside the corresponding plea for God to "undertake" `{{H6148}}`, transforming a cry of despair into a profound statement of faith in God's willingness to act as a surety for His people in their time of need.
TRV