שֶׁוַע
a halloo
Definition
The noun שֶׁוַע (shevaʻ) refers to a loud, urgent cry or shout for help. It denotes a vocal expression of distress or a call for attention, often directed toward God. In its single biblical occurrence in Psalm 5:2, it describes the psalmist's plea: 'Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry (שֶׁוַע), my King, and my God.' The word carries the sense of a heartfelt, audible appeal arising from a situation of need.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Psalm 5:2. It appears in a prayerful, lament context where David cries out to God for a hearing. The usage is poetic and personal, framing the psalmist's prayer not as a silent thought but as a vocalized, urgent cry directed to God as both King and personal deity.
Etymology
שֶׁוַע (shevaʻ) is a noun derived from the root שָׁוַע (shavaʻ, H7768), which means 'to cry out (for help),' 'to shout,' or 'to make a noise.' This root is used in several other Hebrew words for crying or calling. The noun form specifically captures the act or sound of the cry itself.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, this word is theologically significant as it captures the essence of raw, vocal prayer from a place of dependence. It portrays prayer not merely as meditation but as an active, passionate cry to a God who is both sovereign King ('my King') and personally accessible ('my God'). Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting the intensity and vocal nature of biblical lament and supplication, affirming that God hears the desperate cries of his people.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, a loud cry was a recognized signal of acute distress or a plea for justice from a superior, especially a king or deity. Such a vocal appeal was a direct and socially understood method of seeking intervention. This differs from some modern, quieter conceptions of prayer, emphasizing the bold, public, and emotionally charged nature of this form of petition.
שַׁוְעָה (shavʻah, H7775) — a very close synonym, also meaning 'cry for help,' used more frequently (e.g., Psalm 18:6). זְעָקָה (zeʻaqah, H2201) — a cry or outcry, often due to oppression or violence (e.g., Genesis 18:20). תְּפִלָּה (tefillah, H8605) — a more general term for prayer, which can be silent or spoken, not necessarily a cry of distress.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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