### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **shûwaʻ**, represented by `{{H7769}}`, carries the dual meanings of a **cry** or **riches**. Based on the root word for a halloo, it appears just **2 times** in **2 unique verses**, with each appearance illustrating one of its distinct definitions.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical text, `{{H7769}}` is used in two contrasting contexts. In the book of Job, it first appears as **riches**, where its value is questioned in comparison to divine matters. The verse asks, "Will he esteem thy **riches**? no, not gold, nor all the forces of strength" [[Job 36:19]]. Later in the same book, the word signifies a desperate **cry**. It describes a plea made in a moment of ultimate distress: "though they **cry** in his destruction" [[Job 30:24]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the two distinct meanings of `{{H7769}}`:
* `{{H1222}}` **bᵉtsar** (gold): This word appears directly alongside **shûwaʻ** in [[Job 36:19]], reinforcing the theme of material wealth and its limitations.
* `{{H3581}}` **kôach** (strength): Used in the phrase "forces of strength" in the same verse, this term highlights that neither material possessions nor physical power hold ultimate value [[Job 36:19]].
* `{{H6365}}` **pîyd** (destruction): This word is directly linked to the use of **shûwaʻ** as a "cry," showing that this utterance is made in a time of misfortune and ruin [[Job 30:24]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H7769}}` lies in its presentation of two opposing aspects of the human condition.
* **The Futility of Material Wealth:** In Job, **riches** `{{H7769}}` are explicitly devalued, suggesting that worldly assets and power are insufficient and cannot influence divine esteem [[Job 36:19]].
* **The Cry of Ultimate Need:** The word's use as **cry** `{{H7769}}` captures a state of profound desperation in the face of destruction, representing a plea made when all other resources have failed [[Job 30:24]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H7769}}` is a unique term whose meaning is entirely dependent on its context. It powerfully illustrates a fundamental biblical contrast, defining both the inadequacy of worldly **riches** and the raw desperation of the human **cry**. The word demonstrates how scripture can use a single term to explore two very different realities: the limits of earthly substance and the sound of human anguish.
TRV