אָֽנָּ֫א (an.na)
an.na
Please!
H:IntjQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 12 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:Intj
Word Overview
The Hebrew word an-na functions as a particle of urgent entreaty, translating most naturally to "please" or "I beg you." It appears twelve times in the Old Testament, serving as a verbal marker that intensifies a following command or request. Rather than standing alone, it typically precedes an imperative verb, adding a layer of personal urgency and emotional weight to the speaker’s words.
This term is frequently found in contexts of high tension or desperation. In Jonah 4:3, the prophet uses it when he asks God to take his life, highlighting a raw moment of despair rather than polite negotiation. Similarly, in Nehemiah 1:11, the leader employs it while pleading for favor before the king, demonstrating how it bridges the gap between formal petition and personal vulnerability.
Its presence signals that the speaker is not merely stating a fact but is actively appealing to the listener’s mercy or attention. Translators often render it as "please" or "I pray," though these English equivalents can sometimes feel too mild for the Hebrew intensity. The word anchors the request in the immediate moment, urging the recipient to act with haste and compassion.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word an-na carries the weight of urgent pleading, often translated as "please" or "I beg you." It appears twelve times in the Old Testament, usually right before a request or command. This particle adds emotional intensity to prayer and conversation, signaling that the speaker is not just stating facts but appealing for mercy or action. In moments of high tension, such as Jonah’s despair or Hezekiah’s plea for healing, this word anchors the request in immediate need.
For your faith life, this term reminds us that honesty before God is welcome. Whether you are asking for forgiveness like Joseph’s brothers or seeking favor like Nehemiah, bringing your raw emotions to the Lord is a valid part of relationship with Him. It shows that vulnerability is not weakness but a way to connect deeply with divine compassion.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 12 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- I beg you9×
- we beg you4×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אָנָּ֤ה3×
- אָנָּ֣א2×
- אָֽנָּ֣ה1×
- אָנָּ֥ה1×
- אָנָּ֤א1×
- אָנָּ֣ה1×
- אָֽנָּ֥א1×
- אָֽנָּ֤א1×
- אָ֣נָּ֡א1×
- אָ֣נָּ֗א1×
Key Verses
-
Jonah 4:2
He prayed to Yahweh, and said, “Please, Yahweh, wasn’t this what I said when I was still in my own country? Therefore I hurried to flee to Tarshish, for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and you relent of doing harm.
Jonah uses this urgent plea to question God’s character, revealing how even prophets express despair and doubt in their prayers.
-
Nehemiah 1:11
Lord, I beg you, let your ear be attentive now to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name; and please prosper your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Now I was cup bearer to the king.
Nehemiah employs this entreaty to bridge his formal role as cupbearer with his personal vulnerability before the king.
-
II Kings 20:3
“Remember now, Yahweh, I beg you, how I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
Hezekiah uses this particle to emphasize his integrity while pleading for healing, showing how it intensifies a request for mercy.