βοή (boē)
boē
outcry
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun boē refers to a loud outcry or shout, appearing only once in the New Testament at James 5:4. In this verse, it describes the cries of the harvested crops that have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts, conveying a sense of urgent, audible distress rather than silent suffering.
Its meaning derives from the verb boāō, which means to cry out or shout. The word carries the weight of a public declaration, often used in the Septuagint for similar Hebrew terms expressing lament or alarm. Here, it personifies the land’s plea for justice, highlighting how God hears even the voices of those who cannot speak for themselves.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word boē describes a loud, urgent outcry that demands attention. In James 5:4, it is used to show how the cries of exploited workers reach God directly. This reminds us that injustice is never silent in God’s sight. He hears the distress of those who have no voice to defend themselves.
When you face unfairness or feel unheard, this truth offers comfort. Your struggles are not lost on heaven. God pays attention to the cries of the vulnerable and acts with justice. This word assures us that our pain matters to Him.
Let this bring peace to your heart. You can trust that God sees what others ignore. He is a faithful judge who cares deeply about every person. Rest in the knowledge that He hears you.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- cries1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- βοαὶ1×
Key Verses
-
James 5:4
Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you have kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of those who reaped have entered into the ears of the Lord of Armies.
This verse uses boē to personify the cries of harvested crops, showing that God hears the urgent distress of exploited laborers.