צְעָקָה (tsa.a.qah)
tsa.a.qah
cry
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 18 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun tsa‘aqah refers to a loud cry or outcry, typically one born of urgent distress. It appears eighteen times in the Old Testament, with significant usage in Jeremiah, Exodus, and Job. The word captures a sound that is not merely spoken but shouted, often signaling a crisis that demands immediate attention.
Its meaning divides into two primary contexts: an outcry against injustice or oppression, and a cry of personal distress heard by God. In Exodus, it describes the groaning of the Israelites under Egyptian bondage, a plea for deliverance that moves divine action. Similarly, in Jeremiah, prophets use it to describe the collective anguish of a people facing judgment.
This term carries theological weight because it implies that the cry penetrates heaven. It is not a silent suffering but a vocal appeal that reaches the divine ear. Translators usually render it as "cry" or "outcry," preserving the sense of urgent, audible distress rather than quiet resignation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
This word describes a loud, urgent outcry born of deep distress. It is not a quiet whisper but a shout that demands attention. In Scripture, it often marks moments where human suffering reaches a breaking point and cries out for help. The term appears in contexts of both personal anguish and collective injustice, showing that God pays close attention to the voices of those who are oppressed or hurting.
For your faith, this offers profound comfort. It reminds us that our struggles do not go unnoticed by heaven. When you feel overwhelmed or treated unfairly, your cry matters. The biblical narrative shows that such cries can move God to act, whether through deliverance from bondage or the establishment of justice. You are never alone in your distress; your voice has weight and significance before Him.
Even when answers seem delayed, the fact that your cry is heard is a source of hope. It invites you to bring your raw emotions to God honestly. He sees the affliction behind the noise and hears the plea beneath the shout. This assurance allows us to face difficult seasons with courage, knowing that our appeals are received by a God who cares deeply about human suffering.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 18 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a cry3×
- a cry of distress2×
- [the] cry of distress of2×
- ¿/ cry/ his1×
- ¿/ according to/ outcry/ its1×
- the/ outcry1×
- outcry/ their1×
- cry of distress/ their1×
- cry of distress/ its1×
- and/ [the] outcry of1×
- an outcry1×
- [the] outcry of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- צַעֲקַ֥ת2×
- צַֽעֲקַת\־2×
- צְעָקָ֥ה2×
- צַעֲקָתָ֤/ם1×
- צַעֲקָתָ/ם֙1×
- צַעֲקָת֖/וֹ1×
- צַעֲקַ֣ת1×
- צְעָקָה֙1×
- צְעָקָֽה\׃\ \ס1×
- צְעָקָ֖ה1×
- צְעָקָ֕ה1×
- צְעָקָ֔ה1×
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 the pattern of God seeing affliction and hearing the cry of His people, linking divine awareness directly to their suffering under oppression.
-
Genesis 19:13
for we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown so great before Yahweh that Yahweh has sent us to destroy it.”
Here the outcry is so severe that it becomes the basis for divine judgment, showing how persistent injustice reaches God's court.
-
Job 34:28
so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him. He heard the cry of the afflicted.
This occurrence highlights God's responsiveness to the poor and afflicted, confirming that He hears the cry of those with no other advocate.
-
Isaiah 5:7
For the vineyard of Yahweh of Armies is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant. He looked for justice, but behold, oppression, for righteousness, but behold, a cry of distress.
The prophet contrasts the expected justice with the reality of a cry of distress, illustrating how societal failure leads to widespread suffering.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does tsa'aqah mean in the Bible?
How is this word different from other words for 'cry'?
Where does this word appear most often?
Every Occurrence (18 verses across 8 books)
Genesis 3 verses
I will go down now, and see whether their deeds are as bad as the reports which have come to me. If not, I will know.”
Genesis 19:13for we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown so great before Yahweh that Yahweh has sent…
Genesis 27:34When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with an exceedingly great and bitter cry, and said to his father,…