עֳנִי (o.ni)
o.ni
affliction
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 32 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun oni captures a state of deep distress, encompassing both physical suffering and material poverty. Derived from the root for answering or responding, it describes the heavy burden of affliction that presses upon a person. In Scripture, this word often appears in contexts where individuals cry out to God from a place of genuine need, such as when Moses recounts how God heard the Israelites’ groaning in Egypt (Exodus 3:7).
Its meaning spans a wide range, from acute personal trouble to systemic economic hardship. The sources note its use in Deuteronomy 16:3 for the "bread of affliction," linking it to the memory of slavery and humble sustenance. It also describes the wretched condition of those who lack resources, as seen in Proverbs 31:5 where it qualifies those who are oppressed or destitute.
This term carries significant theological weight in the Psalms and Lamentations, where it frequently accompanies pleas for deliverance. It is not merely a temporary inconvenience but a persistent state of misery that defines the human condition apart from divine intervention. The word reminds readers that God’s attention is directed toward those in their lowest moments, as expressed in Psalm 107:41, where He lifts the needy out of affliction.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word oni describes a heavy burden of distress, covering both deep emotional pain and material poverty. It is not just a temporary inconvenience but a persistent state where one feels pressed down by circumstances beyond their control. In the Psalms and historical books, this term often appears alongside cries for help, showing that God notices those who are suffering in silence.
When you read about the Israelites’ affliction in Egypt or Hannah’s sorrow, you see a pattern: God sees the weight we carry. He does not ignore our struggles. Instead, He hears the cry of the oppressed and promises to lift up the needy. This word reminds us that our pain is known and valued by Him.
Even in difficult seasons, this truth offers comfort. You are not forgotten when you feel weak or poor. God’s attention turns toward those in their lowest moments. His word can revive your spirit when everything else feels heavy. Trust that He sees your affliction and cares for your well-being.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 32 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- affliction8×
- affliction/ my7×
- in/ affliction/ my3×
- [the] affliction of3×
- from/ affliction2×
- on/ affliction/ my1×
- on/ [the] affliction of1×
- more than/ affliction1×
- from/ [the] affliction of1×
- by/ affliction/ his1×
- affliction/ your1×
- affliction/ their1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עֹֽנִי\׃5×
- עֳנִ֥י3×
- עָנְיִ֥/י2×
- עֹ֑נִי1×
- עָנְיִֽ/י\׃1×
- עָנְיָ֔/ם1×
- עָנְיָ/הּ֙1×
- עָנְיֵֽ/ךְ\׃1×
- עָנְיֵ֛/נוּ1×
- עָנְיִֽ/י\׃1×
- עָנְיִ֞/י1×
- עָנְיִ֔/י1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 3:7
Yahweh said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows.
This verse establishes that God actively observes the collective suffering of His people, linking His awareness directly to His promise of deliverance.
-
Psalms 107:41
Yet he lifts the needy out of their affliction, and increases their families like a flock.
Here the word highlights God’s specific action of lifting up the needy, showing that affliction is not the final state for those He cares for.
-
Psalms 119:50
This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has revived me.
The psalmist identifies Scripture itself as the source of comfort during times of deep personal distress, grounding hope in divine instruction.
-
Genesis 16:11
Yahweh’s angel said to her, “Behold, you are with child, and will bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, because Yahweh has heard your affliction.
This occurrence shows God’s personal attention to individual pain, as He hears Hagar’s specific affliction and names the child accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word oni mean?
How is oni different from other words for suffering?
Where does this word appear most frequently?
Every Occurrence (32 verses across 12 books)
Genesis 4 verses
Yahweh’s angel said to her, “Behold, you are with child, and will bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, because…
Genesis 29:32Leah conceived, and bore a son, and she named him Reuben. For she said, “Because Yahweh has looked at my affliction;…
Genesis 31:42Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have…
Genesis 41:52The name of the second, he called Ephraim: “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”