נָחַם
Properly, to sigh , i.e. breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry , i.e. (in a favorable sense) to pity , console or (reflexively) rue ; or (unfavorably) to avenge (oneself)
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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.
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What does נָחַם (nāḥam) mean in the Bible?
נָחַם (nāḥam) is a Hebrew word meaning "properly, to sigh , i.e. breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry , i.e. (in a favorable sense) to pity , console or (reflexively) rue ; or (unfavorably) to avenge (oneself)". properly, to sigh, i. Comfort signals the reversal of wrath and restoration of relationship. This term runs through the canonical themes of Covenant.
Meaning
Deep emotional reversal: from sorrow/regret to compassionate action, or from anger to retribution.
properly, to sigh, i.e. breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e. (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavorably) to avenge (oneself) BDB: be sorry Usage: comfort (self), ease (one's self), repent(-er,-ing, self).
Why This Word Matters
Comfort signals the reversal of wrath and restoration of relationship. Isaiah 12:1-6
Signals the shift from judgment to restoration. Isaiah 40:1-11
Expresses God’s restorative mercy toward Zion. Isaiah 51:1-3
Expresses personal covenant mercy from God. Isaiah 51:9-16
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
Piel intensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action 18×
Niphal passive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action 22×
Hithpael reflexive or reciprocal — the subject acts on itself or mutually with others 3×
Pual intensive passive — intensive action received by the subject 2×
Canonical Themes
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
Old Testament Witnesses
Showing 8 of 108 occurrences in the biblical text.
Appears In
Compound and idiomatic lexemes in which this word is a constituent. Follow a link to study the phrase and its other participating words.