Bible Word Study
עֱנוּת
ʻĕnûwth · affliction
עֱנוּת
affliction
Definition
The Hebrew noun עֱנוּת (ʻĕnûwth) refers to a state of affliction, oppression, or humiliation. It describes a condition of being bowed down, lowly, or suffering under hardship. In its sole biblical occurrence in Psalm 22:24, it specifically denotes the profound affliction of the psalmist, which God does not despise. The word carries the sense of being in a state of misery or distress, often as a result of external pressure or persecution.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Psalm 22:24. In this context, it describes the intense personal suffering and affliction of the psalmist, who cries out to God. The usage is poetic and deeply personal, highlighting a state of being humbled or brought low. The verse contrasts God's response to this affliction with human disdain, emphasizing divine compassion.
Etymology
The noun עֱנוּת (ʻĕnûwth) is derived from the root עָנָה (ʻānâ, H6031), which has a primary sense of 'to answer' or 'respond,' but in its piel and hiphil stems often means 'to afflict,' 'oppress,' or 'humble.' This root is common in words related to humility, suffering, and response. The noun form specifically denotes the state or condition resulting from such affliction.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it appears in Psalm 22, a messianic psalm quoted by Jesus on the cross (Matthew 27:46). It underscores that God does not despise or ignore the affliction of the suffering righteous. This reinforces the biblical theme of God's attentiveness to human suffering and His identification with the lowly, a concept fully realized in Christ's own affliction for humanity's salvation. In ancient Israelite culture, affliction (עֱנוּת) was often viewed not merely as personal misfortune but could be associated with experiences of persecution, poverty, or social humiliation. It was a state that typically called for divine intervention and was a common theme in lament psalms, where the afflicted sought God's deliverance and justice. עֳנִי (ʻŏnî, H6040) — a more common noun for affliction, poverty, or misery, often used in parallel with other terms for trouble. תַּחֲלוּאִים (tachălûʼîm, H8463) — refers more specifically to sicknesses or diseases as a form of affliction. יָגוֹן (yāgôn, H3015) — denotes grief or sorrow, an internal emotional state of affliction.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]