### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **tûwgâh**, represented by `{{H8424}}`, refers to **depression (of spirits); concretely a grief; heaviness, sorrow**. It appears 4 times across 4 unique verses in the Bible. This term captures a profound state of emotional and spiritual distress rooted in personal circumstances and the soul's condition.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In its biblical usage, `{{H8424}}` describes the deep grief that arises from familial relationships and internal spiritual states. It is the **heaviness** a mother feels because of a foolish son [[Proverbs 10:1]] and the **sorrow** a father experiences from begetting a fool [[Proverbs 17:21]]. The word also portrays an intense personal anguish, where the psalmist's soul "melteth for **heaviness**" [[Psalms 119:28]]. Furthermore, it signifies the hollow end of worldly pleasure, where even in laughter, the eventual result is **heaviness** [[Proverbs 14:13]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help frame the context and impact of this sorrow:
* `{{H3684}}` **kᵉçîyl** (fool(-ish)): This word identifies the direct source of the grief in Proverbs. The actions of a **foolish** son are what bring **heaviness** to his mother [[Proverbs 10:1]].
* `{{H1811}}` **dâlaph** (melt, pour out): This verb illustrates the overwhelming effect of **heaviness**. The psalmist’s soul is said to **melt**, conveying a sense of being completely overcome by sorrow [[Psalms 119:28]].
* `{{H7814}}` **sᵉchôwq** (laughter): This term stands in stark contrast to **heaviness**. Its use reveals a deeper truth that superficial **laughter** can mask sorrow, and that such mirth's end is heaviness [[Proverbs 14:13]].
* `{{H517}}` **ʼêm** (mother): As the bond of the family, the **mother** is specifically mentioned as experiencing the **heaviness** caused by a foolish child, highlighting the deep familial impact of folly [[Proverbs 10:1]].
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H8424}}` is centered on the sources of sorrow and its remedy.
* **The Sorrow of Folly:** The word is twice linked to the consequences of foolishness. The **heaviness** and **sorrow** felt by a father `{{H1}}` and mother `{{H517}}` underscore the principle that a lack of wisdom brings profound grief, not just to the individual but to the entire family unit ([[Proverbs 10:1]], [[Proverbs 17:21]]).
* **The Anguish of the Soul:** **Heaviness** is portrayed as a condition that afflicts the very **soul** `{{H5315}}`. In [[Psalms 119:28]], this state is so severe it causes the soul to **melt** `{{H1811}}`, and the specified antidote is to be strengthened by God's **word** `{{H1697}}`.
* **The Limit of Worldly Joy:** The term exposes the transient nature of worldly happiness. It teaches that even amidst **laughter** `{{H7814}}` and **mirth** `{{H8057}}`, an underlying sorrow can exist, and the ultimate end of such joy is **heaviness** [[Proverbs 14:13]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H8424}}` is more than a simple term for sadness; it represents a deep, consuming grief and depression. It is a poignant word within biblical wisdom literature that defines the sorrow stemming from foolishness, the internal anguish of a depleted soul, and the ultimate emptiness of fleeting, worldly pleasures. It powerfully illustrates how a single concept can connect the grief of a parent to a spiritual condition that requires divine strength to overcome.
TRV