זָעַק (za.aq)
za.aq
to cry out
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 64 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb zaq means to cry out, typically in situations of urgent need or distress. It describes a loud call for help that rises from anguish or danger, rather than a casual shout. This intensity is visible when the Israelites cry out to God because of Egyptian oppression in Exodus 2:23, or when judges like Othniel and Gideon cry out as they face military threats in Judges 3:9 and 6:6.
Its meaning extends beyond simple noise. In its Hiphil form, it can mean to summon people together for a specific purpose, such as gathering troops for battle or calling a public assembly. This shift from personal distress to communal action shows how the cry for help could mobilize a community. The word appears frequently in Judges and Jeremiah, highlighting moments where Israel’s collective suffering or judgment prompts this decisive vocal response.
Translators often render zaq as "cry out" or "call," capturing both the emotional weight of the plea and its public nature. Unlike words for quiet prayer, zaq implies a sound that demands attention, whether from God or from fellow people. It marks moments where silence is no longer an option, and action becomes necessary.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When life becomes overwhelming, silence is rarely an option. The Hebrew word zaq captures that raw, urgent cry for help when distress reaches its peak. It is not a polite request but a desperate call that rises from the depths of anguish. In Exodus 2:23, the Israelites cried out under Egyptian bondage, and their cry reached God. This shows that God hears the loudest cries of pain just as clearly as quiet prayers.
This word also appears in moments of communal crisis, such as when judges like Gideon or Samuel called people together for deliverance. It reminds us that our struggles are often shared, and our cries can mobilize others to act. Whether you are facing personal danger or societal pressure, your voice matters. God is attentive to the sound of those who seek Him in their lowest moments.
Even when we feel alone, this word assures us that our cries are not lost. They serve as a bridge between our human weakness and divine strength. In times of fear or confusion, lifting your voice in prayer is an act of faith. It acknowledges that help comes from the Lord, who listens to the oppressed and the weary.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 64 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ they cried out12×
- and/ he cried out4×
- and/ cry out4×
- and/ they will cry out3×
- and/ she cried out2×
- and/ it was called together2×
- and/ he summoned2×
- I will cry out2×
- I cry out2×
- you have been called together1×
- when/ cry out/ you1×
- to/ summon1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וַ/יִּזְעֲק֤וּ3×
- וַ/יִּזְעֲק֣וּ3×
- וַֽ/יִּזְעֲקוּ֙2×
- וַ/תִּזְעַ֖ק2×
- וַ/יַּזְעֵ֨ק2×
- וַ/יִזָּעֵ֥ק2×
- וְ/זָֽעֲקוּ֙2×
- תִּזְעָ֑ק1×
- תִּזְעַק֙1×
- תִּזְעַ֖ק1×
- תִזְעָ֑ק1×
- נִזְעָֽקְתָּ\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 2:23
In the course of those many days, the king of Egypt died, and the children of Israel sighed because of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up to God because of the bondage.
This verse shows God responding to the Israelites' cry of oppression, establishing a pattern where distress leads to divine intervention.
-
Judges 6:6
Israel was brought very low because of Midian; and the children of Israel cried to Yahweh.
Here, the cry is a response to military threat, highlighting how collective suffering prompts a turn toward God for salvation.
-
I Samuel 7:9
Samuel took a suckling lamb, and offered it for a whole burnt offering to Yahweh. Samuel cried to Yahweh for Israel, and Yahweh answered him.
Samuel's cry demonstrates that intercessory prayer can be a decisive act of leadership and reliance on God during national crisis.