נַ֫הַם (na.ham)
na.ham
roaring
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew word naham describes a deep, guttural roar or growl. In its literal sense, it captures the sound of a lion preparing to strike, conveying raw power and imminent danger. This visceral imagery grounds the term in the natural world, where such a noise signals that a predator is close.
The sources highlight a striking figurative use of this word: applying the lion’s roar to the wrath of a king. In Proverbs 19:12, the text compares a ruler’s anger to a roaring lion. This metaphor suggests that royal displeasure is not merely an emotional outburst but a terrifying force that demands immediate attention and caution from those nearby.
With only two occurrences in Scripture, naham is a rare but potent term. It bridges the gap between animal instinct and human authority, reminding readers that the voice of power can be as dangerous as the wild. Translators typically render it as "roaring" or "growling," preserving the sense of threat inherent in the original language.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word naham captures the deep, guttural roar of a lion on the prowl. It is not a casual noise but a signal of raw power and imminent action. In Proverbs 19:12, this sound is compared to the wrath of a king. The imagery reminds us that authority carries weight and that anger can be a terrifying force demanding our attention.
Understanding this word helps us see why wisdom urges caution in the face of displeasure. It does not mean we live in fear, but that we respect the gravity of conflict. When leaders or those in power express anger, it mirrors the lion’s roar: serious, loud, and requiring a thoughtful response rather than a reckless one.
This rare term bridges the gap between animal instinct and human authority. It invites us to approach difficult situations with humility and peace, knowing that our favor is like dew—gentle and life-giving—while wrath demands careful navigation.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [is] a roaring2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נַ֣הַם2×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 19:12
The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
This verse uses the roar to illustrate how a king's anger can be as frightening and powerful as a lion's attack.
-
Proverbs 20:2
The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.
Here the roaring sound represents the terror associated with royal displeasure, warning that provoking it can cost one's life.