What does נָהַם mean in the Bible?
נָהַם is a Hebrew word meaning "to growl".
Hebrew · H5098
נָהַם
To growl
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through the Connect page. Screenshots are helpful.
נָהַם H5098
What does נָהַם mean in the Bible?
נָהַם is a Hebrew word meaning "to growl".
Full entry for נָהַם (H5098) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H5098?
The BSB source-word alignment has 5 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include and you will groan (1), Like a roaring (1), They growl (1), they will roar (1), you will groan (1).
Where does נָהַם appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Proverbs 5:11. Its strongest book concentrations include Isaiah (2), Proverbs (2), Ezekiel (1).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders It and you will groan 1× Ezekiel 24:23
Like a roaring 1× Proverbs 28:15
They growl 1× Isaiah 5:29
they will roar 1× Isaiah 5:30
you will groan 1× Proverbs 5:11
Show sample aligned rows
Proverbs 5:11 וְנָהַמְתָּ֥ to you will groan Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular Proverbs 28:15 נֹ֭הֵם to Like a roaring Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Isaiah 5:29 וְיִנְהֹם֙ to They growl Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular Isaiah 5:30 וְיִנְהֹ֥ם to they will roar Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular Ezekiel 24:23 וּנְהַמְתֶּ֖ם to and you will groan Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned row Proverbs 5:11
Aligned rows 5
Books represented 3
Proverbs 2 Isaiah 2 Ezekiel 1
Source forms
וְיִנְהֹם֙ 1x wə·yin·hōm Isaiah 5:29
וְיִנְהֹ֥ם 1x wə·yin·hōm Isaiah 5:30
וְנָהַמְתָּ֥ 1x wə·nā·ham·tā Proverbs 5:11
וּנְהַמְתֶּ֖ם 1x ū·nə·ham·tem Ezekiel 24:23
נֹ֭הֵם 1x nō·hêm Proverbs 28:15
Parsing patterns
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular 2x Isaiah 5:29, Isaiah 5:30
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural 1x Ezekiel 24:23
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular 1x Proverbs 5:11
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular 1x Proverbs 28:15
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. to growl
Source Gloss
to growl
Extended definition Source: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
to growl BDB: growl Usage: mourn, roar(-ing).
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups 1 Aligned forms 1
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 1×
Participle active Prov 28:15 1×
Word Origins
נָהַם is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain