What does עָנָה · נֶפֶשׁ mean in the Bible?
עָנָה · נֶפֶשׁ is a Hebrew phrase meaning "humble or afflict oneself; self-denial".
Hebrew · H6031, H5315
תְּעַנּוּ אֶת־נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם
To depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows) · properly, a breathing creature , i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality ; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
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.
Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
עָנָה H6031 to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)
Pronunciation ʿānāh
Depression through hardship: affliction, humiliation, or forced labor that weakens and subdues the self or others.
Open lexicon entry →
נֶפֶשׁ H5315 properly, a breathing creature , i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality ; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
Pronunciation nafsho
Vitality or lifeforce of a creature; ranges from physical breath to desire, appetite, and personal identity or selfhood.
Open lexicon entry →
What does תְּעַנּוּ אֶת־נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם (tĕʿannû ʾet-napšōtêkem) mean in the Bible?
עָנָה · נֶפֶשׁ is a Hebrew phrase meaning "humble or afflict oneself; self-denial".
Full entry for תְּעַנּוּ אֶת־נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם (H6031, H5315) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for H6031, H5315?
H6031, H5315 is connected to 840 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew phrase. humble or afflict oneself; self-denial
Source Gloss
humble or afflict oneself; self-denial
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 6 Aligned forms 33
Piel intensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action 20×
Perfect 2Sam 13:22 · Deut 22:24 · Ezek 22:11 · Lam 3:33 · Ps 102:24 · Ezek 22:10 · Judg 20:5 · Lam 5:11 · Ps 105:18 · Isa 58:3 · Ps 35:13 · Ps 88:8 12×
Imperfect Exod 1:12 · Ps 94:5 · Exod 22:22 · Gen 31:50 · Job 37:23 · Lev 16:29 6×
Infinitive absolute Exod 22:22 1×
Infinitive construct Isa 58:5 1×
Niphal passive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action 3×
Participle active Isa 53:7 · Isa 58:10 2×
Perfect Ps 119:107 1×
Hithpael reflexive or reciprocal — the subject acts on itself or mutually with others 3×
Perfect 1Kgs 2:26 2×
Imperfect Ps 107:17 1×
Hiphil causative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action 1×
Participle active Eccl 5:19 1×
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 4×
Imperfect Isa 31:4 · Ps 119:67 · Zech 10:2 3×
Perfect Ps 116:10 1×
Pual intensive passive — intensive action received by the subject 2×
Imperfect Lev 23:29 1×
Perfect Ps 119:71 1×
Word Origins
תְּעַנּוּ אֶת־נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם is built from this root:
Cross-Language Connections
Greek words that correspond to or develop the meaning of this Hebrew word in the New Testament.
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