אֲהָהּ (a.hah)
a.hah
alas!
H:IntjQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 11 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:Intj
Definition
Definition
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
What This Word Means for Your Faith
This Hebrew word expresses a sudden burst of emotion, often translated as "alas" or "ah." It appears when people face overwhelming situations, whether it is fear in the face of God, grief over loss, or anxiety about the future. The biblical figures who use this word are not hiding their feelings; they are bringing their raw honesty to the Lord.
When you feel overwhelmed, this word reminds you that prayer does not require polished language. Gideon was terrified after seeing an angel, and Jeremiah felt inadequate when called to prophesy. Both cried out with this same expression. God invites your genuine reactions, even when they are filled with confusion or sorrow.
Your faith is strengthened when you stop pretending everything is fine and instead bring your true state before Him. This word shows that intimacy with God includes moments of vulnerability. You do not need to have all the answers; you only need to be honest about where you are right now.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 11 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- alas!11×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אֲהָ֣הּ\׀3×
- אֲהָהּ֙2×
- אֲהָ֥הּ2×
- אֲהָהּ֮1×
- אֲהָ֤הּ1×
- אֲהָ֖הּ1×
- אֲהָ֕הּ1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 6:22
Gideon saw that he was Yahweh’s angel; and Gideon said, “Alas, Lord Yahweh! Because I have seen Yahweh’s angel face to face!”
Gideon uses this word to express immediate fear and awe after realizing he has seen the angel of Yahweh face to face.
-
Jeremiah 1:6
Then I said, “Ah, Lord Yahweh! Behold, I don’t know how to speak; for I am a child.”
Jeremiah employs this exclamation to voice his deep insecurity about his ability to speak as a prophet.
-
II Kings 6:15
When the servant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was around the city. His servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”
The servant uses this word to show panic when surrounded by an enemy army, highlighting his reliance on Elisha for guidance.