Original Word: עָכַר
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: `akar
Pronunciation: ah-KAR
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-kar')
KJV: trouble, stir
NASB: trouble, troubled, troubler, troubles, bring trouble, brought trouble, does harm
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. (properly) to roil water
2. (figuratively) to disturb or affict

trouble, stir

A primitive root; properly, to roil water; figuratively, to disturb or affict -- trouble, stir.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to stir up, disturb, trouble
NASB Translation
bring trouble (1), brought trouble (1), does...harm (1), grew worse (1), trouble (3), troubled (3), troubler (2), troubles (2).

עָכַר verb stir up, disturb, trouble (Late Hebrew id., make turbid; Arabic be turbid); —

Qal Perfect3masculine singular ׳ע 1 Samuel 14:29; 2masculine singular suffix עֲכַרְתָּ֔נִי Joshua 7:25, etc.; Imperfect3masculine singular suffix יַעְכָּרְךָ Joshua 7:25; Participle עֹכֵר 1 Kings 18:17 3t., עוֺכֵר 1 Chronicles 2:7; plural suffix עֹכְרָ֑י Judges 11:35; — disturb, trouble, with accusative of person Genesis 34:30 (J), Joshua 6:18; Joshua 7:25 (twice in verse) (all J E; Joshua 7:25 b subject ׳י), Judges 11:35; compare Proverbs 11:17 (opposed to גֹּמֵל), Proverbs 11:29; Proverbs 15:27 (opposed to חָיָה; יִשְׂרָאֵל ׳ע 1 Kings 18:17,18; 1 Chronicles 2:7 (compare Joshua 7:18 etc., above); אֶתהָֿאָרֶץ ׳ע 1 Samuel 14:29.

Niph`al Perfect3masculine singular וּכְאֵבִי נֶעְכָּ֑ר Psalm 39:3 my pain was stirred up; Participle feminine נֶעְכָּ֑רֶת Proverbs 15:6 usually as abstract noun disturbance, calamity, but < read וּתְבוּאַת רָשָׁע [ה]נִכְרָ֑ת the income of the wicked is cut off (Toy).

Essential Idea

The verb עָכַר encapsulates the act of bringing distress, disaster, or moral confusion upon a person, household, tribe, or nation. Scripture consistently shows that such “troubling” springs from disobedience, rashness, or covetousness, yet God employs it as a redemptive device—exposing sin, preserving covenant purity, and calling His people back to faithfulness.

Occurrences in the Historical Narratives

1. Genesis 34:30 introduces the theme when Jacob charges Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble on me”, after their violent vengeance at Shechem. The patriarch’s household is endangered not merely by external retaliation but by an internal breach of covenant witness.

2. Joshua 6:18 warns Israel beforehand: the ban on Jericho’s spoils aims to prevent anyone from “bringing trouble on Israel.” By Joshua 7:25 the warning becomes reality in Achan. The stoning of Achan and his family illustrates that covenant community cannot harbor hidden sin without corporate consequence.

3. Judges 11:35 portrays Jephthah’s impulsive vow: “You have brought me great misery; you have become my troubler!” Though the exact outcome for Jephthah’s daughter is debated, the narrative highlights the grievous cost of rash religious zeal detached from Torah foundations.

4. 1 Samuel 14:29 contrasts Saul’s self-serving oath with Jonathan’s act of refreshment: “My father has brought trouble on the land.” Here עָכַר underscores how legalistic leadership can sap a nation’s strength.

5. In 1 Kings 18:17–18, Ahab labels Elijah “O troubler of Israel,” but Elijah turns the charge back: “It is you … because you have abandoned the commands of the LORD and followed the Baals.” The prophet’s fidelity unmasks royal apostasy; the resulting Carmel showdown reaffirms Yahweh’s exclusive sovereignty.

6. 1 Chronicles 2:7 records Achan as “the troubler of Israel” within Judah’s genealogy, ensuring every generation remembers the gravity of concealed greed.

Wisdom Literature Emphases

Psalm 39:2 connects self-imposed silence with intensifying anguish—emotional turmoil festers when righteous testimony is suppressed.

Proverbs develops a household focus:

• Proverbs 11:17 contrasts a merciful man who “benefits himself” with a cruel man who “troubles his own flesh.”
• Proverbs 11:29 warns, “He who brings trouble on his house will inherit the wind,” revealing that covetous schemes leave heirs empty-handed.
• Proverbs 15:6; 15:27 show that ill-gotten gain and bribes infect a family with turmoil, while righteousness secures “great treasure.”

These sayings bind עָכַר to domestic stewardship: personal sin reverberates generationally.

Theological Significance

1. Covenant Holiness: Every historical use elucidates that God’s dwelling among His people demands moral separation. Troubling arises when the sacred order is violated.

2. Corporate Solidarity: Israel suffers or prospers together. Achan’s theft, Saul’s rash oath, and Ahab’s idolatry remind the church that hidden sin and ungodly leadership imperil the whole body (compare 1 Corinthians 5:6).

3. Prophetic Confrontation: Elijah’s exchange with Ahab legitimizes prophetic ministry that names sin even when kings redefine evil as good. Faithful proclamation may be mischaracterized as divisive, yet it is essential to national restoration.

Historical Reflections

Rabbinic tradition linked עָכַר with the Day of Atonement’s purgative aim: Israel confessed that any personal covetousness “troubled” the camp. Early church fathers saw Achan as a type of Ananias and Sapphira—both accounts confirm divine zeal for purity at pivotal redemptive moments (entry into Canaan; birth of the church).

During the Reformation, preachers applied 1 Kings 18 to confront state-sponsored idolatry. Modern missions literature cites the Achan narrative when addressing syncretism and corruption that hinder gospel advance.

Ministry Application

• Guard against hidden compromise. Small acts of greed or secrecy can “trouble” an entire fellowship.
• Lead with measured speech and studied vows. Impulsive oaths—whether organizational vision statements or personal pledges—can burden God’s people.
• Expect opposition when confronting sin; “troublers” are often labeled as such by those they challenge. Persevere in truth.
• Cultivate household righteousness. Financial practices, relational cruelty, and bribery introduce spiritual entropy into families.
• Invite corporate confession. Times of communal searching, as in Joshua 7, allow the Holy Spirit to expose roots of defeat and restore blessing.

Christological Outlook

While עָכַר portrays deserved trouble, Isaiah prophesies a Servant “pierced for our transgressions” who bears our iniquity (Isaiah 53:5). At Calvary, the ultimate Troubler of sin becomes the Troubled One, so believers might receive “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). Thus, trouble is not the last word; redemption is.

Summary

Across narrative, prophetic, and wisdom texts, עָכַר warns that sin always disturbs shalom. Yet every instance also points to God’s relentless pursuit of purity and restoration. When understood and taught, these passages equip the church to identify hidden snares, uphold righteous leadership, and proclaim the gospel that resolves humanity’s deepest trouble in the finished work of Christ.

בְּעֹֽכְרָ֑י בעכרי וְעֹכֵ֥ר וַעֲכַרְתֶּ֖ם ועכר ועכרתם יַעְכֳּרְךָ֥ יעכרך נֶעְכָּֽרֶת׃ נֶעְכָּֽר׃ נעכר׃ נעכרת׃ עֲכַרְתֶּ֣ם עֲכַרְתָּ֔נוּ עָכַ֙רְתִּי֙ עָכַ֥ר עֹכֵ֣ר עֹכֵ֥ר עוֹכֵ֣ר עוכר עכר עכרתי עכרתם עכרתנו ‘ā·ḵar ‘ă·ḵar·tā·nū ‘ă·ḵar·tem ‘ā·ḵar·tî ‘āḵar ‘ăḵartānū ‘ăḵartem ‘āḵartî ‘ō·ḵêr ‘ō·w·ḵêr ‘ōḵêr ‘ōwḵêr aChar acharTanu acharTem aCharti bə‘ōḵərāy bə·‘ō·ḵə·rāy beocheRai ne‘·kā·reṯ ne‘·kār ne‘kār ne‘kāreṯ neKar neKaret oCher vaacharTem veoCher wa‘ăḵartem wa·‘ă·ḵar·tem wə‘ōḵêr wə·‘ō·ḵêr ya‘·kor·ḵā ya‘korḵā yakorChaInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts