Original Word: אָנַק
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: anaq
Pronunciation: ah-nahk
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-nak')
KJV: cry, groan
NASB: groan
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to shriek

cry, groan

A primitive root; to shriek -- cry, groan.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to cry, groan
NASB Translation
groan (4).

[אָנַק] verb cry, groan (Aramaic אֲנַק —

Qal Imperfect יֶאֱנֹק Jeremiah 51:52; Infinitive construct אֱנֹק Ezekiel 26:15, both of groaning of wounded (חָלָל).

Niph`al id., in mourning, lamentation; Infinitive construct הֵאָנֵק Ezekiel 24:17 "" עָשָׂה אֵבֶל); Participle נֶאֱנָקִים Ezekiel 9:4 ("" נֶאֱנָחִים followed by עַל.

Definition and Scope

The term אָנַק describes a deep, audible groaning or wail that rises from intense sorrow, distress, or pain. In Scripture it is never casual; it signals either righteous anguish over sin or involuntary agony under divine judgment.

Occurrences in the Old Testament

Jeremiah 51:52 – In Babylon, “the wounded will groan” as the LORD avenges His covenant people.

Ezekiel 9:4 – A remnant is “sighing and groaning over all the abominations” in Jerusalem; they alone receive a protective mark.

Ezekiel 24:17 – Ezekiel is commanded, “Groan quietly; do not mourn for the dead,” illustrating restrained grief that lets the message of judgment speak louder than personal sorrow.

Ezekiel 26:15 – Coastal nations tremble when Tyre falls and “the wounded groan,” underscoring the breadth of judgment against prideful commerce.

Theological and Prophetic Significance

1. Sign of Judgment: Groaning frequently accompanies the downfall of nations (Babylon, Tyre) and serves as audible proof that God’s warnings are fulfilled.
2. Indicator of Righteous Sensitivity: Those marked in Jerusalem groan before judgment falls; their lament identifies them as spiritually alive amidst pervasive wickedness.
3. Controlled Lamentation: Ezekiel’s muted groan models prophetic obedience—his personal feelings are subordinated to the divine message. Such restraint displays that hope ultimately eclipses grief for the people of God.

Implications for Worship and Ministry

• Prophetic Intercession: Genuine intercessors today mirror Ezekiel 9:4, grieving over societal sin rather than merely denouncing it.
• Pastoral Care: Ministers must distinguish between godly sorrow that leads to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10) and despair that paralyzes. The groan of אָנַק presses believers to move from lament to obedience.
• Liturgical Space for Lament: Congregational worship gains depth when space is granted for orderly lament, reminding the church that God hears the cries of both individual and communal suffering.

Christological and Eschatological Reflections

The groan of creation described in Romans 8:22 parallels the prophetic אָנַק. It anticipates the revealing of the sons of God, when all sorrow will be answered in Christ’s return (Revelation 21:4). Until then, the Spirit “intercedes for us with groans too deep for words” (Romans 8:26), validating righteous lament as part of Spirit-empowered life.

Pastoral Application

1. Encourage believers to lament biblically over personal sin and societal evil; such sorrow invites divine action.
2. Teach restrained grief in the face of God’s judgments, balancing compassion with confidence in His righteousness.
3. Use אָנַק passages to comfort the afflicted: God hears every groan and will ultimately judge oppressors and vindicate His saints.

Key Related Passages

Jeremiah 4:19; Isaiah 42:14; Romans 8:22–26; Revelation 7:3; Revelation 21:4

בֶּאֱנֹ֨ק באנק הֵאָנֵ֣ק ׀ האנק וְהַנֶּ֣אֱנָקִ֔ים והנאנקים יֶאֱנֹ֥ק יאנק be’ĕnōq be·’ĕ·nōq beeNok hê’ānêq hê·’ā·nêq heaNek vehanNeenaKim wə·han·ne·’ĕ·nā·qîm wəhanne’ĕnāqîm ye’ĕnōq ye·’ĕ·nōq yeeNokInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts