Original Word: מוּעָקָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: muw`aqah
Pronunciation: moo-ah-KAH
Phonetic Spelling: (moo-aw-kaw')
KJV: affliction
NASB: oppressive burden
Word Origin: [from H5781 (עוּק - weighted down)]

1. pressure, i.e. (figuratively) distress

affliction

From uwq; pressure, i.e. (figuratively) distress -- affliction.

see HEBREW uwq

Word Origin
from uq
Definition
compression, distress
NASB Translation
oppressive burden (1).

מוּעָקָה noun feminine compression, distress (si vera lectio, Aramaic word, = מְצוּקָה); — בְּמָתְנֵינוּ ׳שַׂמְתָּ מ Psalm 66:11, ᵐ5 θλίψεις, ᵑ9 tribulations; but word dubious

Definition and Scope

The term מוּעָקָה refers to a condition of constriction, crushing pressure, or oppressive distress that weighs heavily upon those who experience it. Although it occurs only once in the Old Testament, the word evokes a wider biblical motif of God’s people passing through seasons of affliction that test, refine, and ultimately bless them.

Biblical Context and Usage

Psalm 66:11 stands as the sole usage: “You led us into the net; You laid a crushing burden on our backs”. Here the psalmist recalls a collective experience of Israel, framing the distress as divinely permitted yet purposeful. Nestled between verses that speak of refining silver (Psalm 66:10) and leading into abundance (Psalm 66:12), מוּעָקָה functions as a necessary stage in a redemptive process—oppression that precedes deliverance.

Theological Significance

1. Divine Refiner: Affliction is not arbitrary; it is the LORD’s crucible (Psalm 66:10; Isaiah 48:10). God’s sovereignty encompasses even oppressive seasons, weaving them into His larger design of sanctification.
2. Covenant Faithfulness: By remembering past distress, Israel testifies that covenant curses (Leviticus 26:14-39) and blessings (Leviticus 26:40-45) both confirm God’s fidelity to His word.
3. Christological Foreshadowing: The crushing weight anticipated the greater burden borne by Christ (Isaiah 53:4-6; 2 Corinthians 5:21), through which ultimate relief is secured for all who trust in Him (Matthew 11:28-30).

Historical Background

Although Psalm 66 is not dated precisely, its communal language suggests reflection on national crises—perhaps the oppression of Egypt (Exodus 1:13-14), the Babylonian exile (Lamentations 1:3-5), or other times of foreign domination. In each era, Israel’s account rehearses the pattern of bondage, divine intervention, and renewed praise.

Related Hebrew and Greek Concepts

• עֳנִי (“affliction,” Psalm 25:18) and לַחַץ (“oppression,” Deuteronomy 26:7) express similar ideas of external pressure.
• The Septuagint often renders such terms with θλῖψις (“tribulation”), which the New Testament uses both for present sufferings (Romans 5:3) and eschatological pressure (Matthew 24:21).

Implications for Christian Ministry

1. Pastoral Care: Followers of Christ should expect seasons of מוּעָקָה. Shepherding involves helping believers interpret hardship through the lens of God’s refining love (Hebrews 12:5-11).
2. Corporate Worship: Liturgical remembrance of past deliverance, as modeled in Psalm 66, fosters communal resilience and gratitude.
3. Social Concern: While affliction may serve divine purposes, Scripture never condones oppression by human agents (Isaiah 10:1-2; James 5:4). Ministry must oppose injustice while pointing sufferers to the Lord who redeems.

Practical Application

• Endurance: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds” (James 1:2). The memory of past מוּעָקָה converted into testimony fuels perseverance.
• Intercession: Prayer framed after Psalm 66 petitions God to transform pressure into praise.
• Witness: Testifying about God’s faithfulness in distress equips believers to comfort others “with the comfort we ourselves have received” (2 Corinthians 1:4).

Key Cross-References

Psalm 66:10-12; Exodus 1:13-14; Isaiah 48:10; Lamentations 1:3-5; Matthew 11:28-30; 2 Corinthians 1:3-7; Hebrews 12:5-11; James 1:2-4.

Summary of Insights

מוּעָקָה encapsulates the tension of God-ordained pressure that seems crushing yet ultimately refines His people. Recognizing its place in the biblical narrative encourages believers to meet present trials with faith, obedience, and hope in the God who turns burdens into blessings.

מוּעָקָ֣ה מועקה mū‘āqāh mū·‘ā·qāh muaKahInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts