נִחוּם (ni.chum)
ni.chum
comfort
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun nichum conveys a sense of deep comfort or compassion, appearing in just three verses across Isaiah, Zechariah, and Hosea. Its meaning bridges the gap between external consolation and internal pity, suggesting that true comfort arises from a heart moved by another’s distress.
This word is closely tied to the divine character, particularly in prophetic literature where God’s response to human suffering is described through nichum. In Isaiah 40:1, the call to “comfort” my people uses this term, linking the act of soothing with a profound, compassionate engagement rather than mere polite sympathy.
The etymological root relates to rest or consolation, implying that comfort brings a settling of the soul. By using nichum, the biblical writers highlight that God’s compassion is not distant but actively restores peace to those in turmoil, making it a key concept for understanding divine empathy in the Hebrew Bible.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word nichum points to a comfort that settles deep within the soul, moving beyond simple words to a shared sense of rest. When you feel overwhelmed by life’s uncertainties, this concept reminds you that God does not offer distant sympathy but enters into your struggle with genuine compassion. It is an active healing that brings peace to those who are grieving or anxious.
In Isaiah 57:18, we see this promise clearly: God sees our ways and chooses to restore comforts to us and to those who mourn. This assurance means you are not alone in your pain. His presence brings a tangible relief that calms the turmoil of the heart, offering a steady hope that endures through difficult seasons.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- comfort<s>2×
- compassions/ my1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נִחוּמָֽ/י\׃1×
- נִחֻמִֽים\׃1×
- נִֽחֻמִ֛ים1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 57:18
I have seen his ways, and will heal him. I will lead him also, and restore comforts to him and to his mourners.
This verse explicitly links God's observation of our ways with His active decision to restore nichum, showing comfort as a direct response to human brokenness.
-
Zechariah 1:13
Yahweh answered the angel who talked with me with kind and comforting words.
Here, nichum describes the nature of Yahweh’s words to the angel, characterizing divine communication as inherently kind and soothing rather than harsh or distant.
-
Hosea 11:8
“How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within me, my compassion is aroused.
Although translated as compassion in many versions, this occurrence reflects the same root concept where God’s internal pity drives His refusal to abandon His people.