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 theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
עָנָהH6031to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)
Pronunciationʿānāh
Depression through hardship: affliction, humiliation, or forced labor that weakens and subdues the self or others.
Open lexicon entry →נֶפֶשׁH5315properly, a breathing creature , i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality ; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
Pronunciationnafsho
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 groups6Aligned forms33
Pielintensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action20×
Perfect2Sam 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 88:812×
ImperfectExod 1:12 · Ps 94:5 · Exod 22:22 · Gen 31:50 · Job 37:23 · Lev 16:296×
Infinitive absoluteExod 22:221×
Infinitive constructIsa 58:51×
Niphalpassive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action3×
Participle activeIsa 53:7 · Isa 58:102×
PerfectPs 119:1071×
Hithpaelreflexive or reciprocal — the subject acts on itself or mutually with others3×
Perfect1Kgs 2:262×
ImperfectPs 107:171×
Hiphilcausative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action1×
Participle activeEccl 5:191×
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense4×
ImperfectIsa 31:4 · Ps 119:67 · Zech 10:23×
PerfectPs 116:101×
Pualintensive passive — intensive action received by the subject2×
ImperfectLev 23:291×
PerfectPs 119:711×
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.