מוּעָקָה
𐤌𐤅𐤏𐤒𐤄
mûwʻâqâh
H4157 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A state or condition of extreme pressure, oppression, or anguish, especially severe social, emotional, or physical distress. The term denotes not mere inconvenience but an intense circumstance threatening well-being, most often referring to suffering imposed by external circumstances or adversaries.
Semantic Range
oppression, extreme distress, affliction, severe pressure, acute suffering
Root / Etymology
Root: עוק (ʿ-w-q), meaning 'to press, constrain, oppress, squeeze.' מוּעָקָה is a feminine noun formation indicating the state of being pressed or oppressed; it builds on the core root idea of pressure or constriction but shifts to abstract sense of distress. The root itself is relatively rare and specifically denotes acute pressure.
Historical & Contextual Notes
מוּעָקָה occurs rarely in the Hebrew Bible (notably in Isaiah 30:20). It refers to distress so acute that it is perceived as constrictive or oppressive, either as literal hardship (e.g., imposed by famine or war) or metaphorical (e.g., national or personal crisis). Unlike broader terms such as צרה (tsarah, 'trouble, adversity'), מוּעָקָה has the nuance of something that presses in tightly, restricting and causing deep suffering; in this sense it may parallel but is more intense than other words for suffering. Later translation traditions (such as some English versions) often render the term as 'affliction' or 'distress,' but these do not fully capture the Hebrew imagery of being hemmed in or crushed. In post-biblical Hebrew, the term retains its connotation of overwhelming anxiety or constriction. The term's rarity limits its attested semantic range, but it is notable for its intensity and focus on the source of distress as actively pressing or squeezing.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from עוּק; pressure, i.e. (figuratively) distress; affliction.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עוק (ʿ-w-q) — press, constrain, squeeze, oppress
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4157-01 |
מוּעָקָ֣ה | muaqah | HNcfsa |
affliction | crushing oppression | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4157-01 |
Psalms 66:11 | מוּעָקָ֣ה | muaqah | HNcfsa |
affliction | crushing oppression |