אָנַק (a.naq)
a.naq
to groan
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb anaq describes the physical act of crying out or groaning in deep distress. It captures a raw, vocal expression of pain rather than silent sorrow. In the Bible, this word appears only once, in Jeremiah 4:31, where it paints a vivid picture of a woman in labor.
This single occurrence anchors the word’s meaning in intense, personal anguish. The imagery is not of general mourning but of sharp, urgent suffering that demands to be heard. By using this specific term, the prophet emphasizes the visceral reality of the grief being described, moving beyond abstract sadness to bodily pain.
Translators typically render anaq as "crying" or "groaning," depending on the context of the surrounding verses. Its rarity in Scripture suggests it was reserved for moments of extreme emotional or physical crisis. The word reminds readers that biblical lament often includes loud, audible expressions of a troubled spirit.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word anaq describes a raw, vocal expression of pain rather than silent sorrow. It captures the physical act of crying out in deep distress, anchoring the meaning in intense, personal anguish. This rarity in Scripture suggests it was reserved for moments of extreme emotional or physical crisis.
In Jeremiah 51:52, this term paints a vivid picture of wounded people groaning under judgment. The prophet uses this specific word to move beyond abstract sadness to bodily pain, emphasizing the visceral reality of grief. It reminds readers that biblical lament often includes loud, audible expressions of a troubled spirit.
When you face suffering, know that your cries are heard. God does not ask for silent endurance but welcomes honest expression. This single occurrence shows that even in deep distress, your voice matters to Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he will groan1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יֶאֱנֹ֥ק1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 51:52
“Therefore behold, the days come,” says Yahweh, “that I will execute judgment on her engraved images; and through all her land the wounded will groan.
This verse uses anaq to describe the wounded groaning under judgment, emphasizing the visceral reality of grief rather than abstract sadness.