Lexical Summary
anah: To answer, respond, testify, speak, sing
Original Word:עָנָה
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:`anah
Pronunciation:ah-NAH
Phonetic Spelling:(aw-naw')
KJV: give account, afflict (by mistake for H6031), (cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for H6031), cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, X scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness See also H1042, H1043
Word Origin:[a primitive root]
1. (properly) to eye
2. (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention
3. (by implication) to respond
4. (by extension) to begin to speak
5. (specifically) to sing, shout, testify, announce
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
sing, shout, testify, announce
A primitive root; properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. Pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extens. To begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce -- give account, afflict (by mistake foranah), (cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake foranah), cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, X scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness. See alsoBeyth 'Anowth,Beyth 'Anath.
see HEBREWanah
see HEBREWanah
see HEBREWBeyth 'Anowth
see HEBREWBeyth 'Anath
Brown-Driver-Briggs
[] (probably; √ of following; Arabic
,
is
support, help, see especially Fl
Kl. Schr. i. 87 ff.); —
Perfect3feminine singular consecutive (read ?)Isaiah 13:22and jackalsshall dwell, etc. (on agreement see Ges§ 145k; ""Isaiah 13:21), so Buhl; CheHeb.Hpt.124 ; > and others √ IV. . —Psalm 87:7 see .
I. (Late Hebrewid., respond, make response; ; Syriac
, Old Aramaic, Palmyrene ; compare Arabic
,
,intend by saying); —
Perfect3masculine singularMicah 6:5 +; suffix1 Samuel 28:15 +,Isaiah 30:19;Jeremiah 23:37,1 Samuel 9:17 +; 1 singularHosea 14:9, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularGenesis 41:16 +,Amos 7:14 +, suffixJob 20:3 +, etc.;ImperativeMicah 6:3;Proverbs 26:5 etc.;Infinitive constructGenesis 45:3 + [2 Samuel 22:36 see ];ParticipleJudges 19:28 +, etc.; —
answer, respond to something said, actual or implied,Judges 8:8;1 Samuel 4:20;Job 9:15 +; especially
, with accusative of personGenesis 45:3 (E),Judges 5:29;2 Kings 18:36 =Isaiah 36:21;Job 5:1 + very often (c. 110 t.); specificallybe responsive, i.e.answer kindly, grant request1 Kings 12:7 (suffix person); =be amenable, docile (toward )Hosea 2:17 (of Israel in figure); seldom and late, with accusative of thing replied to,Job 32:12;Job 33:13 (De Di Bu),Job 40:2.
(graciously): usually with accusative of person; by oracle1 Samuel 14:37;1 Samuel 28:6,15 +, figurativeHabakkuk 2:11; by deed1 Samuel 7:9;1 Kings 18:37 (twice in verse), compare1 Kings 18:24;1 Chronicles 21:26, and especiallyHosea 2:23;Hosea 2:24;Hosea 14:9, see alsoMicah 3:4;Isaiah 41:17;Isaiah 49:8;Jeremiah 33:3;Job 12:4 +, especially Psalms, e.g.Job 3:5;Job 4:2;Job 20:2 33t., etc. (in all approximately 77 t.).
Genesis 41:16;Job 15:2;Proverbs 18:23;Nehemiah 8:6 theyresponded, Amen !2 Samuel 19:43they made reply against Israel (withagainst, only here), + quoted answer; with accusative of person + answer1 Samuel 20:28Jonathan answered Saul, David asked leave, etc.; with 2. accusative (c. 20 t.)2 Kings 18:36 =Isaiah 36:21;Job 23:5 +; so =grant, vouchsafe to,Psalm 65:6terrible things dost thou []vouchsafe to us.
often +Genesis 18:27 Abrahamanswered and said,Exodus 4:1 (J),Exodus 19:8 (E),Job 4:1;Job 6:1 etc.; +Genesis 27:39 16t.; +Genesis 27:37 8t.; + accusative of person + ,1 Samuel 9:8he answered Saul and said, + 23t. (in all approximately 130 t.); seldom +Numbers 32:31 (P), + accusative of person +Genesis 23:5,10,14 (P),Genesis 41:16;Genesis 42:22 (E),Joshua 1:16 (D) .
Joshua 22:21 (P),2 Kings 1:10,11,12; + accusative of person +Genesis 34:13 (P).
respond to an occasion, speak in view of circumstances :1 Samuel 9:17 (accusative of person + quotation),Judges 18:14 ( + ),Numbers 11:28 (J E; +id.),2 Kings 1:11 (+id.), + 19 t.
figurativeEcclesiastes 10:19; moneymeets all demands.
specificallyrespond as a witness,testify, so perhaps participle (absolute)Malachi 2:12 (in good sense); with person=in the case of =forGenesis 30:33; usuallyagainst,1 Samuel 12:3;2 Samuel 1:16;Isaiah 3:9;Isaiah 59:12;Micah 6:3;Jeremiah 14:7;Numbers 35:30 (P),Ruth 1:21 (>Bebe occupied with, II.; Vrss Luth KitKauhumiliate); withHosea 5:5;Hosea 7:10;Job 16:8; withDeuteronomy 31:21 (+as witness); with person + accusative of charge,Deuteronomy 19:16, of false witnessDeuteronomy 19:18,Exodus 20:16 (GinsbExodus 20:13), ""Deuteronomy 5:17;Proverbs 25:18: absolute (bad implication)Exodus 23:2 (E;concerning).
make response as one accused (respondent)Job 9:14,15. .make answer, subject , with person,Perfect1singularEzekiel 14:4;Participle (
not in Ezekiel).
beanswered: Imperfect3masculine singular ,
Job 11:2 (subject words).
of man =receive answerProverbs 21:3,Songs 1 singularJob 19:7.ParticipleEcclesiastes 5:19, wholly dubious; Hi (God)causes (all things)to respond in the joy of his heart; Deanswers to the joy, etc.; de Jong Wildoccupies him (II. )with the joy, etc.
IV. (Arabic
sing, chant,
singing, chanting, etc.; Syriac
sing responsively,
hymn, refrain; possibly Assyrianenû,resound (?); Egyptiananni is loan-word according to Bondi80); —
Perfect3masculine singular consecutiveJeremiah 51:14;Imperfect3masculine singularJeremiah 25:30; 3feminine singularExodus 15:21; 3feminine plural1 Samuel 18:7, etc.;ImperativeNumbers 21:17;Psalm 147:7;Infinitive constructExodus 32:18 (twice in verse); —sing, utter tunefully,Exodus 15:21 (E)and Miriam sang to ()them; of uttering shout (), as in vintageJeremiah 25:30 ( subject; + person), in attackJeremiah 51:14 (+ person); ()Exodus 32:18 (twice in verse) (E); with of thing or person laudationNumbers 21:17 (J E; well);Psalm 147:7 (; "" ),Ezra 3:11; +1 Samuel 18:7the women sang, and said;1 Samuel 21:12;1 Samuel 29:5; with accusative of thing laudationPsalm 119:172 (compare ""Psalm 119:171). —Isaiah 14:22 see
intensive:ImperativeIsaiah 27:2sing sweetly of it; InfinitiveExodus 32:18 (E)the sound of distinct singing; comparePsalm 88:1.
I. [] (see Biblical Hebrew I. ); —
Perfect3feminine singularDaniel 5:10; 3masculine pluralDaniel 2:7 +;Participle active ( NöGGA, 1884, 1021)Daniel 2:5 +, plural (K§ 47 Beisp. e))Daniel 3:24; — always + Participle,answered and said ( [or ] person usually following ; followingDaniel 2:10,27,47): —
answer, make reply, to something said:Daniel 2:5,7,8,10,27;Daniel 3:16,24,25;Daniel 4:16; bDaniel 5:17;Daniel 6:13;Daniel 6:14.
respond to occasion, speak in view of a situation:Daniel 2:15,20,26;Daniel 3:9,14,19,24,26,28;Daniel 4:16a;Daniel 4:27;Daniel 5:10.
Topical Lexicon
Core Meaning and RangeWhile lexical data are set aside, עָנָה broadly describes a verbal or audible response—answering, replying, testifying, or joining a song. The verb threads through virtually every sphere of Old Testament life, appearing about three hundred twenty-nine times.
Answering the Divine Call
Anah frames the earliest moments of covenant encounter. Abraham says, “Here I am” (Genesis 22:1). Moses instructs Israel to “answer and declare” the historical creed (Deuteronomy 26:5). The pattern endures in prayer: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me” (Psalm 120:1). The word marks willing submission and confident expectation of God’s reply.
God’s Answer as Deliverance
When “the LORD answered with thunder” (1 Samuel 7:10), the rescue itself is His answer. On Carmel Elijah pleads, “Answer me, O LORD” (1 Kings 18:37), and fire falls. Divine response may be speech, sign, or mighty act, but always reveals covenant faithfulness.
Judicial Testimony
In courts anah denotes sworn testimony. Judges hear parties “answer” (Deuteronomy 1:16), witnesses “respond” (Exodus 18:16), and the accused “reply” (Jeremiah 26:5). Truthful answering safeguards justice; false answering invites divine judgment.
Covenantal Affirmation
Corporate oaths employ anah. On Ebal and Gerizim the Levites proclaim curses and “all the people shall answer, ‘Amen’” (Deuteronomy 27:15–26). Joshua receives Israel’s promise, “We will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:21). The responsive word seals communal allegiance.
Liturgical and Musical Response
Anah expresses antiphonal praise. Miriam “answered” the women, “Sing to the LORD” (Exodus 15:21).Psalm 147:7 urges, “Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving.” Responsive worship embodies the call-and-answer rhythm of revelation and faith.
Prophetic Dialogues
Prophets record Yahweh “answering” laments (Habakkuk 2:2) and Israel “answering” falsely (Isaiah 65:13). The verb exposes the heart’s posture—truthful reply or rebellious retort.
Wisdom Instruction
Proverbs guides disciplined response: “Answer a fool according to his folly” (Proverbs 26:5). Job’s cycle is framed by repeated “answers,” culminating when “the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind” (Job 38:1).
Messianic Foreshadowing
Psalm 22:21 declares, “You have answered me,” foreshadowing the Father’s vindication of the suffering Messiah. Divine reply climaxes in resurrection, the ultimate answer to sin and death.
New Covenant Echoes
Greek apokrinomai reflects the same theme as the Father “answered” the Son’s petitions (Hebrews 5:7). In Christ, God’s certain answer (2 Corinthians 1:20) elicits the believer’s “Amen.”
Ministry Implications
• Prayer: Cultivate expectancy for God’s multifaceted answers.
• Worship: Employ call-and-response readings and songs.
• Preaching: Invite congregational affirmation that echoes covenant “Amen.”
• Pastoral care: Model truthful, timely answers shaped by Proverbs’ wisdom.
Key References
Genesis 18:27;Exodus 15:21;Deuteronomy 27:14-26;Joshua 24:16-21;1 Samuel 14:12;1 Kings 18:37;2 Chronicles 7:1-2;Nehemiah 8:6;Job 38:1;Psalm 18:6;Psalm 118:5;Proverbs 15:1;Isaiah 58:9;Jeremiah 33:3;Joel 2:19.
Summary
עָנָה records the living dialogue of redemption—God speaks and acts, humanity answers in faith; humanity cries, God answers with salvation. The verb invites every generation to respond obediently and rest confidently in the God who answers.
Forms and Transliterations
אֵעָנֶ֑ה אֶ֭עֶנְךָ אֶֽעֱנֶ֑ה אֶֽעֱנֶ֑ךָּ אֶֽעֱנֶ֑נּוּ אֶֽעֱנֶה֙ אֶעֱנֵ֔ם אֶעֱנֶ֑ה אֶעֱנֶ֑ךָּ אֶעֱנֶ֖ה אֶעֱנֶ֣ה אַעֲנֶ֣ה אענה אענך אענם אעננו הָעֹנִ֥ים הָעֹנֶ֤ה הענה הענים וְ֠עָנְתָה וְֽאֶעֱנֵ֗הוּ וְאֶֽעֱנֶ֣ה וְאֶֽעֱנֶֽה׃ וְאֶעֱנֵֽם׃ וְאֶעֱנֶ֑ךָּ וְעָ֤נְתָה וְעָֽנְתָה֙ וְעָֽנְתָה־ וְעָנ֖וּ וְעָנ֣וּ וְעָנ֥וּ וְעָנ֧וּ וְעָנִ֨יתָ וְעָנָ֑נִי וְעָנָ֤ה וְעָנָ֥ה וְעֹנֶ֔ה וַ֠יַּעַן וַ֭יַּעַן וַֽ֠יַּעֲנוּ וַֽיַּעֲנ֔וּ וַֽיַּעֲנ֞וּ וַֽיַּעֲנֵ֑הוּ וַֽיַּעֲנֵ֑נִי וַֽיַּעֲנֵ֖הוּ וַֽיַּעֲנֵֽנִי׃ וַֽיַּעֲנוּ֙ וַֽתַּעֲנ֖וּ וַֽתַּעֲנ֣וּ ׀ וַֽתַּעֲנֵ֑נִי וַֽתַּעֲנֵ֗נִי וַֽתַּעֲנֶ֛ינָה וַיַּ֖עַן וַיַּ֗עַן וַיַּ֙עַן֙ וַיַּ֛עַן וַיַּ֜עַן וַיַּ֡עַן וַיַּ֣עַן וַיַּ֤עַן וַיַּ֤עַן ׀ וַיַּ֥עַן וַיַּ֧עַן וַיַּ֨עַן וַיַּֽעְנ֧וּ וַיַּֽעֲנ֧וּ וַיַּֽעֲנ֨וּ וַיַּֽעֲנֵ֤הוּ וַיַּֽעֲנֵ֨נִי וַיַּֽעַן־ וַיַּעֲנ֣וּ וַיַּעֲנ֤וּ וַיַּעֲנ֧וּ וַיַּעֲנ֨וּ וַיַּעֲנֵ֤נִי וַיַּעֲנֵ֥ם וַיַּעֲנֶ֣ה וַיַּעֲנוּ֩ וַיַּעַן֩ וַעֲנִיתָ֕ם וַעֲנֵ֑נִי וַעֲנֵֽנִי׃ וַתַּ֣עַן וַתַּ֤עַן וַתַּ֥עַן וַתַּ֨עַן וַתַּעֲנֶ֧ינָה וָאַ֖עַן וָאַ֙עַן֙ וָאַ֣עַן וָאַ֥עַן ואען ואענה ואענה׃ ואענהו ואענך ואענם׃ ויען ויען־ ויענה ויענהו ויענו ויענם ויענני ויענני׃ וענה וענו וענית ועניתם וענני וענני׃ וענתה וענתה־ ותען ותענו ותענינה ותענני יֵעָנֶ֑ה יֵעָנֶֽה׃ יַ֝עֲנֶ֗נּוּ יַ֭עֲנֵהוּ יַּעֲנֶ֖ה יַּעַנְךָ֥ יַֽעֲנ֔וּ יַֽעֲנֶ֔ה יַֽעַנְךָ֣ יַעֲנ֤וּ יַעֲנ֥וּ יַעֲנֵ֑נִי יַעֲנֵ֥נוּ יַעֲנֵֽם׃ יַעֲנֵֽנִי׃ יַעֲנֶ֑ה יַעֲנֶ֔ה יַעֲנֶ֖ה יַעֲנֶ֥ה יַעֲנֶ֥נּוּ יַעֲנֶ֧ה יַעֲנֶ֨ה יַעֲנֶֽה׃ יַעֲנֶֽנָּה׃ יַעֲנֽוּכָה׃ יַעֲנוּ־ יענה יענה׃ יענהו יענו יענו־ יענוכה׃ יענך יענם׃ יעננה׃ יעננו יענני יענני׃ לַעֲנ֑וֹת לַעֲנ֣וֹת לַעֲנ֥וֹת לענות מֵעֲנ֣וֹת מענות נַֽעֲנֶה־ נַעֲנֵ֧יתִי נענה־ נעניתי עֱנ֣וּ עֱנוּ־ עֲ֝נֵ֗נִי עֲ֭נֵנִי עֲנ֣וֹת עֲנ֣וּ עֲנִ֫יתָ֥ם עֲנִיתִ֔יךָ עֲנִיתֶ֔ם עֲנִיתֶֽם׃ עֲנִיתָ֑נִי עֲנִיתָֽנִי׃ עֲנֵ֑נִי עֲנֵ֔נִי עֲנֵ֔נוּ עֲנֵ֣ה עֲנֵ֣נִי עֲנֵ֤נִי עֲנֵ֤נִי ׀ עֲנֵ֥ה עֲנֵ֥נִי עֲנֵ֨נִי ׀ עֲנֵֽנִי׃ עַנּ֔וֹת עַנּוּ־ עָ֣נְתָה עָ֣נָה עָ֣נוּ עָ֥נוּ עָנ֖וּ עָנ֥וּ עָנְתָ֖ה עָנִ֣יתִי עָנָ֔הוּ עָנָ֖הוּ עָנָ֖נִי עָנָ֣ה עָנָ֣הוּ עָנָ֣ךְ עָנָ֣נִי עָנָ֤ה עָנָ֥ה עָנָֽךְ׃ עָנָֽם׃ עָנָֽנִי׃ עָנֽוּ׃ עֹנֵ֖הוּ עֹנֶ֑ה עֹנֶ֖ה עֹנֶ֥ה עוֹנֶ֑ךָּ עוֹנֶ֔ה עוֹנֶ֖ה עוֹנֶה֒ עונה עונך ענה ענהו ענו ענו־ ענו׃ ענות עניתי עניתיך עניתם עניתם׃ עניתני עניתני׃ ענך ענך׃ ענם׃ עננו ענני ענני׃ ענתה תַ֝עֲנֶ֗ה תַּ֣עַן תַּ֭עֲנֵנוּ תַּֽעַנְךָ֔ תַּעֲנֶ֑ינָּה תַּעֲנֶ֔ה תַעֲנֵ֑נִי תַעֲנֵ֣נִי תַעֲנֵֽנִי׃ תַעֲנֶ֑ה תַעֲנֶ֖ה תַעֲנֶ֣ה תַעֲנֶ֥ה תַעֲנֶֽה׃ תַעֲנֶנּ֑וּ תַעֲנֻֽהוּ׃ תען תענה תענה׃ תענהו׃ תענינה תענך תעננו תענני תענני׃ ‘ā·nā·hū ‘ā·nā·nî ‘ā·nāh ‘ā·nāḵ ‘ā·nām ‘ă·nê·nî ‘ă·nê·nū ‘ā·nə·ṯāh ‘ă·nêh ‘ă·nî·ṯā·nî ‘ă·nî·ṯām ‘ă·nî·ṯem ‘ā·nî·ṯî ‘ă·nî·ṯî·ḵā ‘ă·nō·wṯ ‘ă·nū ‘ā·nū ‘an·nō·wṯ ‘an·nū- ‘ānāh ‘ānāhū ‘ānāḵ ‘ānām ‘ānānî ‘ănêh ‘ănênî ‘ănênū ‘ānəṯāh ‘ănîṯām ‘ănîṯānî ‘ănîṯem ‘ānîṯî ‘ănîṯîḵā ‘annōwṯ ‘annū- ‘ănōwṯ ‘ănū ‘ānū ‘ĕ·nū ‘ĕ·nū- ‘ĕnū ‘ĕnū- ‘ō·nê·hū ‘ō·neh ‘ō·w·ne·kā ‘ō·w·neh ‘ōneh ‘ōnêhū ‘ōwneh ‘ōwnekā ’a‘ăneh ’a·‘ă·neh ’ê‘āneh ’e‘ĕneh ’e‘ĕnekā ’e‘ĕnêm ’e‘ĕnennū ’e‘enḵā ’ê·‘ā·neh ’e·‘ĕ·ne·kā ’e·‘ĕ·neh ’e·‘ĕ·nêm ’e·‘ĕ·nen·nū ’e·‘en·ḵā aaNeh aNach aNah aNahu aNam aNani aNeh aNeni aNenu aneTah aNiTam aniTani aniTem aNiti aniTicha anNot annu aNot aNu eaNeh Eencha eeNeh eeNeka eeNem eeNennu enu hā‘ōneh hā‘ōnîm hā·‘ō·neh hā·‘ō·nîm haoNeh haoNim la‘ănōwṯ la·‘ă·nō·wṯ laaNot mê‘ănōwṯ mê·‘ă·nō·wṯ meaNot na‘ăneh- na‘ănêṯî na·‘ă·nê·ṯî na·‘ă·neh- naaneh naaNeiti oNeh oNehu oNeka ta‘an ta‘ăneh ṯa‘ăneh ṯa‘ănênî ta‘ănennāh ṯa‘ănennū ta‘ănênū ta‘anḵā ṯa‘ănuhū ṯa·‘ă·nê·nî ta·‘ă·nê·nū ta·‘ă·neh ṯa·‘ă·neh ta·‘ă·nen·nāh ṯa·‘ă·nen·nū ṯa·‘ă·nu·hū ta·‘an ta·‘an·ḵā Taan taanCha taaNeh taaNeinnah taaNeni taanenNu Taanenu taaNuhu vaAan vaaNeni vaaniTam vaiYaan vaiyaaNeh vaiyaaNehu vaiyaaNem vaiyaaNeni vaiyaaNu vaiyaNu vatTaan vattaaNeinah vattaaNeni vattaaNu veaNah veaNani veanetah veaNita veaNu veEeNeh veeeNehu veeeNeka veeeNem veoNeh wa‘ănênî wa‘ănîṯām wā’a‘an wa·‘ă·nê·nî wa·‘ă·nî·ṯām wā·’a·‘an wat·ta·‘ă·ne·nāh wat·ta·‘ă·nê·nî wat·ta·‘ă·nū wat·ta·‘an watta‘an watta‘ănenāh watta‘ănênî watta‘ănū way·ya‘·nū way·ya·‘ă·nê·hū way·ya·‘ă·nê·nî way·ya·‘ă·neh way·ya·‘ă·nêm way·ya·‘ă·nū way·ya·‘an way·ya·‘an- wayya‘an wayya‘an- wayya‘ăneh wayya‘ănêhū wayya‘ănêm wayya‘ănênî wayya‘ănū wayya‘nū wə‘ānāh wə‘ānānî wə‘ānəṯāh wə‘ānəṯāh- wə‘ānîṯā wə‘ānū wə‘ōneh wə’e‘ĕneh wə’e‘ĕnêhū wə’e‘ĕnekā wə’e‘ĕnêm wə·‘ā·nā·nî wə·‘ā·nāh wə·‘ā·nə·ṯāh wə·‘ā·nə·ṯāh- wə·‘ā·nî·ṯā wə·‘ā·nū wə·‘ō·neh wə·’e·‘ĕ·nê·hū wə·’e·‘ĕ·ne·kā wə·’e·‘ĕ·neh wə·’e·‘ĕ·nêm ya‘ăneh ya‘ănêhū ya‘ănêm ya‘ănênî ya‘ănennāh ya‘ănennū ya‘ănênū ya‘anḵā ya‘ănū ya‘ănū- ya‘ănūḵāh ya·‘ă·nê·hū ya·‘ă·nê·nî ya·‘ă·nê·nū ya·‘ă·neh ya·‘ă·nêm ya·‘ă·nen·nāh ya·‘ă·nen·nū ya·‘ă·nū ya·‘ă·nū- ya·‘ă·nū·ḵāh ya·‘an·ḵā yaanCha yaaNeh Yaanehu yaaNem yaaNeni yaaNennah yaaNennu yaaNenu yaaNu yaaNuchah yê‘āneh yê·‘ā·neh yeaNeh
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Interlinear Hebrew •
Strong's Numbers •
Englishman's Greek Concordance •
Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •
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