תַּנְחוּם (tan.chum)
tan.chum
consolation
H:NQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun tanhum refers to the comfort or consolation offered to someone in distress. It appears five times in the Old Testament, primarily within the books of Job, Psalms, and Jeremiah. The word captures the act of soothing a troubled spirit, often arising from deep grief or loss.
In these texts, tanhum is not merely polite sympathy but a substantive relief that addresses genuine pain. For instance, Job laments his lack of comfort in Job 16:2, while Jeremiah speaks of God’s consolation in Jeremiah 31:9. The term implies a tangible shift from sorrow to peace, reflecting the relational bond between the comforter and the one being consoled.
This word highlights the human need for empathy and the divine role as a source of strength during trials. It reminds readers that comfort is both a gift received and a responsibility shared among believers.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word tanhum points to a deep, tangible relief that settles over a troubled heart. It is not just polite sympathy, but a genuine soothing of grief and loss. When we feel overwhelmed by sorrow, this concept reminds us that comfort is both a gift we receive and a responsibility we share with others.
In Job 16:2, the speaker questions whether divine consolations are too small, highlighting how precious true comfort feels in moments of despair. This word invites us to look beyond surface-level kindness and seek a peace that addresses real pain. It reflects a relational bond where empathy bridges the gap between suffering and hope.
As you navigate difficult seasons, remember that this kind of consolation is available through community and faith. It offers a shift from sorrow to peace, reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles. May you find strength in knowing that comfort is a shared journey toward healing.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- consolations/ your2×
- consolations/ its1×
- consolations1×
- [are] [the] consolations of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תַּנְחוּמִ֔ים1×
- תַּנְחֻמֶ֑י/הָ1×
- תַּנְחֻמ֣וֹת1×
- תַּנְח֥וּמֹֽתֵי/כֶֽם\׃1×
- תַּ֝נְחוּמֶ֗י/ךָ1×
Key Verses
-
Job 15:11
Are the consolations of God too small for you, even the word that is gentle toward you?
This verse highlights the tension between human despair and the perceived inadequacy of divine consolation, showing how deeply the word resonates in moments of spiritual doubt.
-
Psalms 94:19
In the multitude of my thoughts within me, your comforts delight my soul.
Here, the psalmist describes how God's comforts actively delight the soul amidst overwhelming thoughts, illustrating the restorative power of tanhum in mental distress.
-
Jeremiah 16:7
Men won’t break bread for them in mourning, to comfort them for the dead. Men won’t give them the cup of consolation to drink for their father or for their mother.
The mention of a 'cup of consolation' reflects a cultural practice where this comfort was shared ritually, emphasizing its role in communal mourning and support.