Lexical Summary
siach: complaint, complaining, concern
Original Word:שִׂיחַ
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:siyach
Pronunciation:see-akh
Phonetic Spelling:(see'-akh)
KJV: babbling, communication, complaint, meditation, prayer, talk
NASB:complaint, complaining, concern, meditation, occupied, talk
Word Origin:[fromH7878 (שִׂיַח - meditate)]
1. a contemplation
2. (by implication) an utterance
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
babbling, communication, complaint, meditation, prayer, talk
Fromsiyach; a contemplation; by implication, an utterance -- babbling, communication, complaint, meditation, prayer, talk.
see HEBREWsiyach
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom an unused word
Definitioncomplaint, musing
NASB Translationcomplaining (1), complaint (8), concern (1), meditation (1), occupied (1), talk (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Psalm 104:34 ; — absolute
1 Kings 18:27Proverbs 23:29; suffix
1 Samuel 1:16 +,
Job 23:2,
2 Kings 9:11;
Psalm 102:1; —
plaint, complaint:Job 7:13;Job 9:27;Job 10:1 ("" ),Job 21:4;Job 23:2;Proverbs 23:29;Psalm 55:3 ("" );Psalm 64:2;Psalm 102:1;Psalm 142:3. following are dubious:
musing,1 Kings 18:27 (E) of a god, "" , (so RV; SS'nachdenken'; Buhl'beschäftigt sein'; AVtalk);Psalm 104:34 of man (Buhl SS. Bae'Rede, oderGesang'). — See also [] below
anxiety, trouble:1 Samuel 1:16 (defined in by , compare HPS; so Buhl SS, but perhaps = ).
talk:2 Kings 9:11 (so RV SS, but meaning obscurein context).
Topical Lexicon
OverviewThis Hebrew noun denotes the spoken or unspoken outpouring of the soul—ranging from anguished lament to quiet, thoughtful musing. It occurs thirteen times and gathers its meaning from the context: heartfelt prayer, bitter protest, inner reflection, or idle chatter. Together these scenes trace a full theology of “holy conversation,” showing both the permission and the limits of human speech before God and others.
Distribution and Literary Settings
• Historical narrative:1 Samuel 1:16;1 Kings 18:27;2 Kings 9:11
• Wisdom and poetry:Job 9:27; 10:1; 21:4; 23:2;Psalm 55:2; 64:1; 102:1; 104:34; 142:2;Proverbs 23:29
The lion’s share lies in Job and Psalms, books that specialize in wrestling with suffering and pursuing intimacy with God. The three narrative occurrences reveal how everyday speech—whether derisive, prophetic, or misunderstood—also falls under divine scrutiny.
Main Categories of Usage
1. Prayerful Complaint
The dominant sense is an honest lament voiced before God. “I pour out my complaint before Him; I reveal my trouble to Him” (Psalm 142:2). Job reaches for the same language: “Even today my complaint is bitter” (Job 23:2). Far from rebuke, Scripture records these cries as faithful expressions of covenant relationship; the sufferer brings every burden to the LORD rather than turning away in unbelief.
2. Contemplative Meditation
A quieter hue appears inPsalm 104:34: “May my meditation be pleasing to Him.” Here the term shifts from lament to delight, describing reflective worship that delights in creation and its Maker. The range reminds believers that both sighing and rejoicing belong in the melody of prayer.
3. Derisive or Empty Talk
Elijah’s mockery on Mount Carmel employs the same noun: “Cry aloud, for he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought” (1 Kings 18:27). Jehu similarly dismisses a prophet’s message as mere “babble” (2 Kings 9:11).Proverbs 23:29 includes “complaints” among the miseries produced by drunkenness. These texts warn that speech unanchored to truth degenerates into folly.
Key Passage Snapshots
•1 Samuel 1:16 – Hannah defends her fervent prayer in Shiloh, teaching that heartfelt lament, though misjudged by men, is welcomed by God and may usher in redemptive history (the birth of Samuel).
•Job 10:1 – Job’s raw honesty underscores that God allows His children to wrestle aloud with perplexity without forfeiting covenant standing.
•Psalm 55:2 – David models candid intercession in the face of betrayal, showing that complaint can coexist with trust and ultimately turn to praise.
•Psalm 104:34 – The transition from complaint to meditation displays the maturing soul that moves from petition to adoration.
Historical and Cultural Backdrop
Ancient Near Eastern laments often attempted to manipulate deities through formulaic wailing. In contrast, Israel’s use of this term is relational, rooted in the revealed character of the LORD. The prophets, priests, and psalmists reinforce that freedom of speech before God is grounded in covenant grace, not ritual compulsion.
Theological Significance
• Divine Accessibility – The repeated summons “Hear my complaint” (Psalm 64:1) presupposes a God who listens.
• Human Authenticity – Scripture legitimizes emotional transparency; faith is not stoicism.
• Sanctified Speech – Thoughtless or mocking talk (1 Kings 18:27;2 Kings 9:11) stands in stark contrast to prayerful complaint, reminding readers that words are morally weighted.
• Transformation – Lament often turns to praise, illustrating how God reshapes anguish into doxology (Psalm 104:34).
Practical Ministry Applications
• Pastoral Care – Encourage believers to voice sorrow honestly; silence breeds despair, but spoken lament invites divine comfort.
• Corporate Worship – Incorporate psalms of complaint so the assembly learns to suffer together in hope.
• Counseling – Distinguish between constructive lament and corrosive grumbling; the first moves toward God, the second away from Him.
• Preaching – Use the narrative texts to expose empty talk and elevate Christ-centered meditation.
Christological Trajectory
The Son of David embodies perfect lament and perfect meditation. On the cross He utters the ultimate complaint—“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”—while entrusting Himself to the Father. Believers’ prayers of complaint now ascend through a sympathetic High Priest who has given voice to human anguish and turned it into resurrection praise.
Devotional Reflection
When the soul aches, let it speak: “Attend to me and answer me. I am restless in my complaint” (Psalm 55:2). When the heart is satisfied, let it muse: “May my meditation be pleasing to Him” (Psalm 104:34). From sigh to song, every syllable finds its place before the throne.
Forms and Transliterations
בְּשִׂיחִ֣י בְשִׂיחִ֑י בשיחי שִׂ֗יחַ שִׂ֧יחַ שִׂחִ֑י שִׂיחִ֑י שִׂיחִ֛י שִׂיחֽוֹ׃ שחי שיח שיחו׃ שיחי bə·śî·ḥî ḇə·śî·ḥî besiChi bəśîḥî ḇəśîḥî śî·aḥ śi·ḥî śî·ḥî śî·ḥōw Siach śîaḥ siChi siCho śiḥî śîḥî śîḥōw vesiChi
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