Properly, to eye or (generally) to heed , i.e. pay attention ; by implication, to respond ; by extension to begin to speak ; specifically to sing , shout , testify , announce
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עָנָה (anah) is a Hebrew verb for answering, responding, or beginning a reply. Genesis 18:27 introduces Abraham's response to God, Genesis 31:31 introduces Jacob's answer to Laban, and Numbers 22:18 introduces Balaam's reply to Balak's officials.
Reader summary
Full entry for עָנָה (H6030) · Open the biblical lexicon
עָנָה (anah) is a Hebrew verb for answering, responding, or beginning a reply. Genesis 18:27 introduces Abraham's response to God, Genesis 31:31 introduces Jacob's answer to Laban, and Numbers 22:18 introduces Balaam's reply to Balak's officials.
The BSB source-word alignment has 331 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include answered (49), replied (46), answer (22), answer me (11), . . . (9).
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Genesis 18:27. Its strongest book concentrations include Job (60), Psalms (39), 1 Samuel (38), 1 Kings (19).
This entry includes 1 verse guide that explain exact original-language forms in context.
עָנָה (anah) is a Hebrew verb for answering, responding, or beginning a reply. Genesis 18:27 introduces Abraham's response to God, Genesis 31:31 introduces Jacob's answer to Laban, and Numbers 22:18 introduces Balaam's reply to Balak's officials. In narrative, the verb can function as a speech formula even where English idiom might simply say “said.” An answer is a communicative response, not necessarily agreement, approval, or a complete solution.
The root also enters testimony and responsive song. Exodus 20:16 forbids answering or testifying against a neighbor as a false witness, and Deuteronomy 19:16-19 sets investigation and proportionate judgment for a malicious witness. Exodus 15:21 says Miriam answered the singers with the sea-song refrain, and First Samuel 18:7 says women answered one another in song about Saul and David. These settings support testify and sing as contextual translations without making every answer legal evidence or music.
God's answering is central in prayer and revelation. Exodus 19:19 says God answered Moses with a voice, Psalm 3:4 testifies that the Lord answered from the holy hill, and Psalm 99:6 remembers God answering Moses, Aaron, and Samuel. Jonah 2:2 says God answered from the belly of Sheol. Yet Job 38:1 shows that God's answer may confront and reframe rather than provide the explanation a sufferer expected. Habakkuk 2:2 receives a written vision after waiting. Divine response is genuine and personal, but H6030 does not promise immediate timing, a desired outcome, or a particular audible form for every prayer.
Anah organizes response in dialogue, testimony, antiphonal song, prayer, prophetic revelation, and divine-human encounter. The content of the response, not the verb alone, determines whether it comforts, confronts, accuses, praises, or instructs.
Miriam answers the singers with a refrain celebrating the Lord's victory at the sea.
As the trumpet grows louder, Moses speaks and God answers him with a voice at Sinai.
The covenant command forbids bearing false witness against a neighbor, using answer in a testimony setting.
Elijah challenges divided allegiance, and the people answer him not a word before the Carmel contest.
The Lord answers Job from the whirlwind with questions that reveal creaturely limits and divine governance.
The psalmist cries aloud and testifies that the Lord answers from the holy hill.
Moses, Aaron, and Samuel call on the Lord, who answers them within a psalm of holy kingship.
The worshiper seeks an answer for a taunter by trusting God's word.
Jonah says he cried from distress and God answered from the depths associated with Sheol.
The Lord answers the waiting prophet by commanding the vision to be written clearly.
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders ItA compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
Verse-level guides showing how this original-language form works in its specific context, including grammar, verse function, and guarded interpretation.
Hebrew word. Moving from attentive response to vocal utterance: to answer, sing, or testify before others
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.
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Showing 2 selected witnesses from 329 lexical occurrence verses.
עָנָה is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Shows idol silence in contrast to the living God.Isaiah 46:5-7
Greek words that correspond to or develop the meaning of this Hebrew word in the New Testament.
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.
Anah can form communities that answer truthfully and listen for responses they do not control. False testimony shows that an answer can harm a neighbor and must be investigated. Miriam's song shows that response can become shared worship. Elijah's silent audience shows that refusal to answer can reveal divided allegiance. The prayer texts welcome urgent cries, while Job warns that God's answer may not be the explanation a sufferer seeks.
Habakkuk models waiting and receiving a word to communicate clearly. Pastoral teaching should invite prayer, lament, testimony, and attentiveness while rejecting formulas that promise a yes, an audible voice, a timetable, or a particular outcome if someone uses the correct words or enough faith.
Ps.99.6
H6030 can introduce speech, denote an actual reply, describe legal testimony, or mark responsive singing. It must remain distinct from H6031 afflict or humble despite similar spelling.
Jesus and the apostles teach persistence in prayer, truthful witness, communal song, discernment of speech, and trust amid delayed answers. Those themes continue the response field while requiring direct study of their own language and settings.