נֶחָמָה (ne.cha.mah)
ne.cha.mah
comfort
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun nechamah signifies a deep sense of relief or consolation, often arising from a change in circumstances that brings peace to a troubled heart. In the Hebrew Bible, it appears only twice, both within poetic books where emotional intensity is high: Psalms 19:7 and Job 21:34.
In Psalm 19:7, the term describes how God’s law restores the soul, suggesting that nechamah is not merely passive comfort but an active renewal of strength. Similarly, in Job 21:34, it refers to the false comfort offered by friends who fail to understand his suffering, highlighting a distinction between superficial reassurance and genuine relief. The word captures the shift from distress to calm, whether brought by divine truth or human words.
Its root relates to the idea of being satisfied or having enough, implying that nechamah fills a void left by anxiety or grief. Translators typically render it as "comfort" or "restoration," reflecting its role in soothing the inner life. This usage underscores how Scripture views comfort not just as emotional support but as a tangible restoration of well-being.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word nechamah carries a weight that goes beyond simple sympathy. It describes a deep restoration of the soul, often triggered by a shift from distress to peace. When we encounter this term in Scripture, we see it linked to God’s law and His enduring promises. It is not just a fleeting feeling of relief but a tangible renewal of strength that settles into our inner being.
In times of affliction, the promise that God's word can revive us offers a solid anchor. This comfort fills the void left by anxiety, providing a sense of satisfaction and wholeness. It reminds us that true consolation comes from divine truth rather than superficial reassurance, grounding our hearts in something permanent and reliable.
As you navigate seasons of hardship, remember that this restoration is available to you. The same God who restores the soul through His instruction is present with you. May you find genuine peace and renewed strength in His faithful presence today.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- comfort/ my1×
- [is] comfort/ my1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נֶחָמָתִ֣/י1×
- נֶ֘חָ֤מָתִ֗/י1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 119:50
This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has revived me.
This verse explicitly links nechamah to the reviving power of God's word during affliction, showing comfort as an active source of strength.
-
Job 6:10
Let it still be my consolation, yes, let me exult in pain that doesn’t spare, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
Here Job identifies his consolation with his integrity before God, suggesting that true nechamah is rooted in a right relationship with the Holy One rather than external circumstances.