מְנוּחָה (me.nu.chah)
me.nu.chah
Nohah
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 22 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun menuchah describes a state of deep rest, peace, or quietness. It goes beyond simple physical relaxation to suggest a settled, tranquil condition where one is free from disturbance. This word appears in key passages such as Psalm 23:2, where it describes the "still waters" beside which God leads His people, and in Jeremiah 6:16, where it defines the "rest" found in walking in the way of the Lord.
Its meaning extends from an internal state of mind to a physical location. It can refer to a place of habitation or a dwelling, as seen when Isaiah speaks of the "resting place" for the remnant of Israel (Isaiah 11:10). In Deuteronomy 12:9, it describes the peace and security the Israelites would enjoy in their inherited land. The term also carries a figurative sense of comfort or consolation, offering hope to those seeking relief from anxiety.
Etymologically, menuchah derives from the verb nuach, which means to settle down or come to rest. This root connects the word to the concept of God’s own rest after creation, highlighting a divine pattern of completion and peace. Translators often render it as "rest," "quiet," or "ease," capturing both the physical safety and the spiritual calm that characterize this biblical ideal.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word menuchah describes a deep, settled peace that goes beyond simple physical relaxation. It suggests a state where one is free from disturbance and anxiety, finding true tranquility in God’s presence. This concept appears in Psalm 23:2, where God leads His people beside still waters, offering a quiet refuge for the soul.
For many believers, menuchah represents more than just a break from work; it is a spiritual homecoming. In Jeremiah 6:16, this rest is linked to walking in the way of the Lord, suggesting that peace comes from aligning our lives with His guidance. It is a reminder that true comfort is found not in worldly success but in trusting God’s promises.
Whether you are seeking relief from daily stress or longing for spiritual stability, this word invites you to find your rest in Him. It points to a divine pattern of completion and peace, encouraging believers to trust in God’s provision and care during every season of life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 22 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- rest4×
- a resting place4×
- rest/ my2×
- to/ resting place<s>/ your1×
- to/ resting place/ your1×
- the/ resting place1×
- resting place/ his1×
- rest<s>1×
- and/ rest1×
- and/ in/ resting places1×
- [is] the/ resting place1×
- [is] resting place/ my1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מְנוּחָתִֽ/י\׃2×
- מְנוּחָֽה\׃2×
- מְנוּחָ֔ה2×
- הַ/מְּנוּחָה֙2×
- מְנוּחָתִ֥/י1×
- מְנוּחָה֙1×
- מְנוּחָ֜ה1×
- מְנוּחָ֖ה1×
- מְנֻחָת֖/וֹ1×
- מְנֻחָת֑/וֹ1×
- מְנֻחָה֙1×
- מְנֻח֣וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 23:2
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
This verse illustrates menuchah as a tranquil state provided by God, where He leads the believer to find peace and restoration.
-
I Kings 8:56
“Blessed be Yahweh, who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. There has not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by Moses his servant.
Solomon acknowledges that God has fulfilled His promise to give Israel rest, highlighting menuchah as a realized divine blessing.
-
Psalms 116:7
Return to your rest, my soul, for Yahweh has dealt bountifully with you.
The psalmist calls his soul to return to its rest, emphasizing that true peace is found in remembering God’s bountiful care.