נָאַק (na.aq)
na.aq
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 naaq describes the physical act of groaning, a sound often associated with deep distress or pain. It appears only once in the Old Testament, found in Job 30:31 where the protagonist declares that his skin has turned black and his harp plays to the sound of weeping.
This single usage places the word firmly within the context of intense suffering. The groan is not a casual complaint but an involuntary expression of anguish that accompanies physical deterioration. It captures the raw, vocal response to a state of being overwhelmed by hardship.
Translators typically render this term as "groan" or "moan," preserving the auditory nature of the experience. By limiting its occurrence to this specific moment in Job’s lament, the word highlights the depth of his despair, showing a man whose very body and music reflect his inner turmoil.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word naaq describes a deep, involuntary groan born from physical pain or profound distress. In Scripture, it is not merely a complaint but a raw vocalization of suffering that escapes when words fail. This term reminds us that God hears the sounds of our anguish even when we cannot articulate them clearly.
In Job 30:31, this word illustrates how intense hardship can affect both body and spirit, turning what was once joyful into a lament. Yet, this single occurrence also shows that our deepest cries are known to Him. You do not need to hide your pain or force yourself to sound strong before God.
When you feel overwhelmed by trials, remember that your groans are seen and heard. This word invites you to bring your honest struggles into God’s presence, trusting that He is near even in the darkest moments of suffering.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they groan1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יִנְאָ֗קוּ1×
Key Verses
-
Job 24:12
From out of the populous city, men groan. The soul of the wounded cries out, yet God doesn’t regard the folly.
This verse highlights the social dimension of suffering, showing how the cries of the oppressed rise up even when human justice seems silent.