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עָנָה

𐤏𐤍𐤄

ʻânâh

H6030 verb

SILEX Entry

Root ענה to answer, to respond, to sing responsively

Definition

To respond or answer, especially vocally; to reply or speak up in answer to a person, question, call, or situation. The verb is used for both speaking and singing responses, including formal replies in ritual, legal testimonies, and spontaneous exclamations (such as shouts of praise or lament). It primarily indicates giving an audible response to something previously said or encountered, extending from ordinary conversation to liturgical song or legally binding testimony.

Semantic Range

to answer, to reply, to make a declaration, to sing (in response or antiphonally), to shout (in response), to bear witness, to testify, to give an account

Root / Etymology

From the Hebrew root ענה, which in this verbal stem (Qal) means 'to answer' or 'respond'. Not to be confused with the identically spelled root ענה ('to afflict, oppress') in a different stem. The root reflects the basic action of giving a reply or voice in reaction to an initiation, often as part of a dialogic or responsive situation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Across the Hebrew Bible, עָנָה is commonly used in the context of oral communication – replying to a question, making a legal defense, delivering an oracle, or responding in song. In poetry and liturgical contexts, it extends to singing, especially in responsive or antiphonal settings (e.g., Psalms). Legal contexts employ עָנָה for answering charges or bearing witness, highlighting the connection between speech and social responsibility. English translations often render עָנָה as 'answer' or 'respond', but its use for singing or loudly exclaiming is preserved in poetic and cultic settings, which may be lost in translation. The verb should not be conflated with עָנָה ‘to afflict/oppress’, which reflects a separate root and meaning. In post-exilic and later usage, the testifying/legal sense can predominate, and interpretations as 'afflict' or 'bring low' are due to confusion with the other root.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce; give account, afflict (by mistake for עָנָה), (cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for עָנָה), cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, [idiom] scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness. See also בֵּית עֲנוֹת, בֵּית עֲנָת.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ענה (ʿ-n-h) — answering, responding, responsive speech or song

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1042 בֵּית עֲנוֹת answering of
H1195 בַּעֲנָא Son of Affliction
H1196 בַּעֲנָה In Affliction
H2057 וַנְיָה Yah Answers
H3283 יָעֵן ostriches

Word Forms

73 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6030-47 וַ/יַּ֥עַן vayaan HC/Vqw3ms and answered and he responded 111
H6030-64 יַעֲנֶ֖ה yaaneh HVqi3ms answers he answers 18
H6030-52 וַ/יַּעֲנ֧וּ vayaanu HC/Vqw3mp and they answered and they responded 16
H6030-08 עֲנֵ֤/נִי aneni HVqv2ms/Sp1cs answer me Respond to me 12
H6030-17 עָנ֖וּ anu HVqp3cp they answered they responded 10
H6030-34 תַעֲנֶ֥ה taaneh HVqi2ms you answer you answer 8
H6030-19 אֶעֱנֶ֑ה eeneh HVqi1cs I will answer I will answer 8
H6030-30 עֹנֶ֑ה oneh HVqrmsa one answering answering one 7
H6030-43 וַ/תַּ֤עַן vataan HC/Vqw3fs And Miriam answered and she responded 6
H6030-71 יַעֲנ֤וּ yaanu HVqi3mp testify they will answer 6

Occurrences in Scripture

329 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6030-47 Genesis 18:27 וַ/יַּ֥עַן vayaan HC/Vqw3ms answered and he responded
H6030-52 Genesis 23:5 וַ/יַּעֲנ֧וּ vayaanu HC/Vqw3mp answered and they responded
H6030-47 Genesis 23:10 וַ/יַּעַן֩ vayaan HC/Vqw3ms answered and he responded
H6030-47 Genesis 23:14 וַ/יַּ֧עַן vayaan HC/Vqw3ms answered and he responded
H6030-47 Genesis 24:50 וַ/יַּ֨עַן vayaan HC/Vqw3ms answered and he responded
H6030-47 Genesis 27:37 וַ/יַּ֨עַן vayaan HC/Vqw3ms and answered and he responded
H6030-47 Genesis 27:39 וַ/יַּ֛עַן vayaan HC/Vqw3ms and answered and he responded
H6030-56 Genesis 30:33 וְ/עָֽנְתָה veanetah HC/Vqq3fs will answer and she responded
H6030-43 Genesis 31:14 וַ/תַּ֤עַן vataan HC/Vqw3fs answered and she responded
H6030-47 Genesis 31:31 וַ/יַּ֥עַן vayaan HC/Vqw3ms and answered and he responded
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