← H1896 H1898 →

הָגָה

𐤄𐤂𐤄

hâgâh

H1897 verb

SILEX Entry

Root הגה to utter, to murmur, to meditate

Definition

To utter sounds in a low voice, often indistinctly (such as murmuring, muttering, or softly speaking); by extension, to contemplate or meditate (often on spoken or written words, like law, wisdom, or lament). The verb can indicate audible recitation or meditation, as well as the emotional tones of mourning, lament, or reflection. In certain contexts, it designates the low growling or roaring of animals.

Semantic Range

to utter in a low voice, to murmur, to mutter, to meditate (especially aloud), to ponder, to muse, to growl, to moan, to declare quietly, to recite, to mourn

Root / Etymology

Root: הגה. The basic meaning of the root is 'to emit sound, especially of a low or murmured quality.' From this physical sense, it extends to the cognitive/meditative act associated with murmured speech: pondering or meditating, especially on texts or teachings. The word is not exclusively auditory, as it includes inner reflection often accompanied by low verbalization.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, הָגָה is used for various forms of quiet utterance: murmuring (whether contented or aggrieved), meditative recitation (especially of the Torah in Wisdom and poetic texts), and even the subdued roaring or cooing of animals (e.g., Job 27:4, Isaiah 31:4). In wisdom and devotional contexts, the term most often implies active, meditative repetition of words or teachings, often aloud or under one's breath (e.g., Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1:2). This differs from silent mental reflection (which Hebrew can also express via other verbs). In prophetic or lament contexts, הָגָה may shade toward words or sounds expressing pain or mourning. The word is sometimes translated as 'meditate' in English Bibles, but this can lose the emphasis on vocalization. Strong's gloss combines distinct nuances (roaring, meditating, mourning), which are context-dependent. The term is distinct from other Hebrew words for speaking or proclaiming (e.g., אמר, דבר) in its suggestion of private, low, or reflective utterance. Later theological traditions broadened the meditative sense further, but in biblical usage, vocalization—even if subdued—remains central.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root (compare הָגִיג); to murmur (in pleasure or anger); by implication, to ponder; imagine, meditate, mourn, mutter, roar, [idiom] sore, speak, study, talk, utter.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

הגה (h-g-h) — uttering, murmuring, meditating

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1898 הָגָה he murmured
H1899 הֶגֶה a subdued murmur
H1900 הָגוּת and meditation-of
H1901 הָגִיג in my murmuring meditation
H1902 הִגָּיוֹן murmuring meditation

Word Forms

12 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1897-11 יֶהְגֶּה֩ yehegeh HVqi3ms devises he will murmur 9
H1897-12 יֶהְגּוּ yehegu HVqi3mp imagine they murmur 3
H1897-05 תֶהְגֶּֽה tehegeh HVqi3fs mutters she murmurs 3
H1897-01 אֶהְגֶּ֖ה ehegeh HVqi1cs I meditate I murmur 2
H1897-08 וְ/הָגִ֥יתִי vehagiti HC/Vqq1cs and-I-will-meditate and I murmured 1
H1897-10 וְ/הֹג֛וֹ vehogo HC/Vma and uttering and fervent muttering 1
H1897-02 הָגִ֥יתִי hagiti HVqp1cs I meditate the man from Gath 1
H1897-07 וְ/הָגִ֤יתָ vehagita HC/Vqq2ms you shall meditate and you murmur-meditated 1
H1897-09 וְ/הַ/מַּהְגִּ֑ים vehamahegim HC/Td/Vhrmpa and who mutter and the murmuring ones 1
H1897-03 הָגֹ֣ה hagoh HVqa moaning murmuring 1

Occurrences in Scripture

25 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1897-07 Joshua 1:8 וְ/הָגִ֤יתָ vehagita HC/Vqq2ms you shall meditate and you murmur-meditated
H1897-09 Isaiah 8:19 וְ/הַ/מַּהְגִּ֑ים vehamahegim HC/Td/Vhrmpa and who mutter and the murmuring ones
H1897-06 Isaiah 16:7 תֶּהְגּ֖וּ tehegu HVqi2mp you will mourn you will murmur
H1897-11 Isaiah 31:4 יֶהְגֶּה֩ yehegeh HVqi3ms growls he will murmur
H1897-11 Isaiah 33:18 יֶהְגֶּ֣ה yehegeh HVqi3ms will meditate he will murmur
H1897-01 Isaiah 38:14 אֶהְגֶּ֖ה ehegeh HVqi1cs I moan I murmur
H1897-05 Isaiah 59:3 תֶהְגֶּֽה tehegeh HVqi3fs mutters she murmurs
H1897-03 Isaiah 59:11 הָגֹ֣ה hagoh HVqa moaning murmuring
H1897-04 Isaiah 59:11 נֶהְגֶּ֑ה nehegeh HVqi1cp we moan we murmur
H1897-10 Isaiah 59:13 וְ/הֹג֛וֹ vehogo HC/Vma and uttering and fervent muttering
← H1896 Hebrew Lexicon H1898 →