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שַׁוְעָה

𐤔𐤅𐤏𐤄

shavʻâh

H7775 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A cry for help; a passionate outcry, especially one uttered in distress in order to summon aid. In biblical contexts, frequently denotes an urgent plea or supplication, especially directed toward deity or authority in situations of suffering or oppression. Though sometimes equated with generic 'crying,' it specifically connotes vocalized appeal for intervention rather than mere expression of emotion.

Semantic Range

cry for help, outcry for aid, supplicatory cry, appeal for deliverance, urgent plea, vocalized prayer

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root שׁוע meaning 'to cry out (for help), call for aid.' The feminine noun form שַׁוְעָה enhances the sense of verbal entreaty or supplication, denoting an articulated call or plea.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Biblical Hebrew, שַׁוְעָה appears in poetic and prophetic contexts to designate the intense, vocalized plea of individuals or groups in dire circumstances, most often directed to the Israelite deity for relief from suffering or danger. It is semantically close to other terms such as צְעָקָה (tseʻaqah, 'cry, outcry') and זְעָקָה (zeʻaqah, 'cry of distress'), though שַׁוְעָה accentuates the aspect of deliberate appeal for intervention, not just an expression of pain or alarm. Unlike later English translations that sometimes render the word simply as 'cry,' the original sense in Hebrew stresses the notion of seeking active assistance. Post-exilic and Second Temple Hebrew further develop the concept of שַׁוְעָה as a liturgical or communal call for deliverance. In Jewish liturgy and tradition, a related concept persists in prayers recited in times of trouble. English terms like 'cry' or 'crying' may not fully communicate the force and intent of the original Hebrew term, which is more than a generic wail—it is an articulated plea expecting response.

Translation Consistency

primary "cry" 6 occurrences

'Cry' is the simplest, most natural English word that covers the typical biblical sense of שַׁוְעָה — an urgent vocal appeal or outcry. It matches the majority of attested renderings (and can be clarified in context as 'cry for help' or 'outcry' when needed), providing consistent, idiomatic translations across all forms.

Alternatives (5 occurrences):
"cry-for-help" (3x) "cry-for-help of" (2x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of שֶׁוַע; a hallooing; crying.

Bantu Hebrew

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

Root Family

שׁוע (Shua) — to cry for help, to be rich, to prosper

Root שׁוע to cry out, call for help, plead
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H7770 שׁוּעַ Shua
H7771 שׁוֹעַ wealthy man of rank

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H7775-05 וְ/שַׁוְעָתִ֖/י veshaveati HC/Ncfsc/Sp1cs and my cry and my cry-for-help and my cry for help 4
H7775-03 שַׁוְעָתָ֛/ם shaveatam HNcfsc/Sp3mp their cry their cry-for-help their cry-for-help 3
H7775-02 שַֽׁוְעַ֥ת shaveat HNcfsc cry-of cry-for-help of cry-for-help of 2
H7775-01 לְ/שַׁוְעָתִֽ/י leshaveati HR/Ncfsc/Sp1cs from my cry to my cry-for-help from my cry for help 1
H7775-04 שַׁוְעָתִֽ/י shaveati HNcfsc/Sp1cs my-cry my cry for help my cry for help 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H7775-03 Exodus 2:23 שַׁוְעָתָ֛/ם shaveatam HNcfsc/Sp3mp their cry their cry-for-help their cry-for-help
H7775-02 1 Samuel 5:12 שַֽׁוְעַ֥ת shaveat HNcfsc cry-of cry-for-help of cry-for-help of
H7775-05 2 Samuel 22:7 וְ/שַׁוְעָתִ֖/י veshaveati HC/Ncfsc/Sp1cs and my cry and my cry-for-help and my cry for help
H7775-02 Jeremiah 8:19 שַֽׁוְעַ֣ת shaveat HNcfsc of the cry cry-for-help of cry-for-help of
H7775-05 Psalms 18:7 וְ֝/שַׁוְעָתִ֗/י veshaveati HC/Ncfsc/Sp1cs and my cry and my cry-for-help and my cry for help
H7775-03 Psalms 34:16 שַׁוְעָתָֽ/ם shaveatam HNcfsc/Sp3mp their cry their cry-for-help their cry-for-help
H7775-05 Psalms 39:13 וְ/שַׁוְעָתִ֨/י veshaveati HC/Ncfsc/Sp1cs and my cry and my cry-for-help and my cry for help
H7775-04 Psalms 40:2 שַׁוְעָתִֽ/י shaveati HNcfsc/Sp1cs my-cry my cry for help my cry for help
H7775-05 Psalms 102:2 וְ֝/שַׁוְעָתִ֗/י veshaveati HC/Ncfsc/Sp1cs and my cry and my cry-for-help and my cry for help
H7775-03 Psalms 145:19 שַׁוְעָתָ֥/ם shaveatam HNcfsc/Sp3mp their cry their cry-for-help their cry-for-help
H7775-01 Lamentations 3:56 לְ/שַׁוְעָתִֽ/י leshaveati HR/Ncfsc/Sp1cs from my cry to my cry-for-help from my cry for help
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