What does שָׁוַע mean in the Bible?
e. freedom from some trouble)".
Hebrew · H7768
שָׁוַע
Properly, to be free ; but used only causatively and reflexively, to halloo (for help, i.e. freedom from some trouble)
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שָׁוַעH7768
What does שָׁוַע mean in the Bible?
שָׁוַע is a Hebrew word meaning "properly, to be free ; but used only causatively and reflexively, to halloo (for help, i.e. freedom from some trouble)".
Full entry for שָׁוַע (H7768) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H7768?
The BSB source-word alignment has 21 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include for help (4), and cry for help (2), cry for help (2), cry out (2), and plead for help (1).
Where does שָׁוַע appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Job 19:7. Its strongest book concentrations include Psalms (9), Job (8), Habakkuk (1), Isaiah (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 Itfor help4×Job 30:20, Psalms 18:6, Psalms 30:2, Psalms 31:22
and cry for help2×Job 30:28, Psalms 119:147
cry for help2×Job 36:13, Psalms 22:24
cry out2×Job 24:12, Job 38:41
and plead for help1×Lamentations 3:8
I called for help1×Jonah 2:2
I cry for help1×Psalms 88:13
must I call for help1×Habakkuk 1:2
They cried for help1×Psalms 18:41
they plead for relief1×Job 35:9
though I call for help1×Job 19:7
when I call1×Psalms 28:2
who cried out1×Job 29:12
who cry out1×Psalms 72:12
you will cry out1×Isaiah 58:9
Show sample aligned rows
Job 19:7אֲ֝שַׁוַּ֗עtothough I call for helpVerb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singularJob 24:12תְּשַׁוֵּ֑עַtocry outVerb - Piel - Imperfect - third person feminine singularJob 29:12מְשַׁוֵּ֑עַtowho cried outVerb - Piel - Participle - masculine singularJob 30:20אֲשַׁוַּ֣עtofor helpVerb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singularJob 30:28אֲשַׁוֵּֽעַ׃toand cry for helpVerb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singularJob 35:9יְשַׁוְּע֖וּtothey plead for reliefVerb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine pluralJob 36:13יְ֝שַׁוְּע֗וּtocry for helpVerb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine pluralJob 38:41יְשַׁוֵּ֑עוּtocry outVerb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine pluralPsalms 18:6אֲשַׁ֫וֵּ֥עַtofor helpVerb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singularPsalms 18:41יְשַׁוְּע֥וּtoThey cried for helpVerb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowJob 19:7
Aligned rows21
Books represented6
Job8Psalms9Isaiah1Lamentations1Jonah1Habakkuk1
Source forms
מְשַׁוֵּ֑עַ2xmə·šaw·wê·a‘Job 29:12, Psalms 72:12
שִׁוַּ֖עְתִּי2xšiw·wa‘·tîJonah 2:2, Habakkuk 1:2
אֲשַׁ֫וֵּ֥עַ1x’ă·šaw·wê·a‘Psalms 18:6
אֲ֝שַׁוַּ֗ע1x’ă·šaw·wa‘Job 19:7
אֲשַׁוַּ֣ע1x’ă·šaw·wa‘Job 30:20
אֲשַׁוֵּֽעַ׃1x’ă·šaw·wê·a‘Job 30:28
בְּשַׁוְּעִ֣י1xbə·šaw·wə·‘îPsalms 28:2
בְּשַׁוְּעִ֥י1xbə·šaw·wə·‘îPsalms 31:22
Parsing patterns
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular4xJob 19:7, Job 30:20, Job 30:28, Psalms 18:6
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural4xJob 35:9, Job 36:13, Job 38:41, Psalms 18:41
Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular4xPsalms 30:2, Psalms 88:13, Jonah 2:2, Habakkuk 1:2
Preposition-b | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | first person common singular2xPsalms 28:2, Psalms 31:22
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular2xJob 29:12, Psalms 72:12
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive imperfect - first person common singular1xLamentations 3:8
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular1xPsalms 119:147
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular1xPsalms 22:24
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. properly, to be free ; but used only causatively and reflexively, to halloo (for help, i.e. freedom from some trouble)
Source Gloss
properly, to be free ; but used only causatively and reflexively, to halloo (for help, i.e. freedom from some trouble)
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
properly, to be free; but used only causatively and reflexively, to halloo (for help, i.e. freedom from some trouble) BDB: cry out Usage: cry (aloud, out), shout.
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 groups1Aligned forms16
Pielintensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action16×
ImperfectJob 19:7 · Job 30:20 · Job 30:28 · Ps 18:7 · Job 35:9 · Job 36:13 · Job 38:41 · Ps 18:42 · Isa 58:9 · Job 24:1210×
PerfectHab 1:2 · Jonah 2:3 · Ps 30:3 · Ps 88:144×
Participle activeJob 29:12 · Ps 72:122×
Word Origins
שָׁוַע is a primitive root - no further derivation.