Hebrew · H6031, H5315 · unreviewed

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)

These lexicon entries are being actively developed. If you notice missing content, incorrect definitions, or have suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Share a note on our Connect page and include a screenshot if helpful.

Words in this compound — expand to study each participant

עָנָה H6031 to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)
Pronunciation ʿānāh
Depression through hardship: affliction, humiliation, or forced labor that weakens and subdues the self or others.
Open lexicon entry →
נֶפֶשׁ H5315 properly, a breathing creature , i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality ; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
Pronunciation nafsho
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 word meaning "humble or afflict oneself; self-denial".

Full entry for תְּעַנּוּ אֶת־נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם (H6031, H5315) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

humble or afflict oneself; self-denial
Grammatical Forms

How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.

Piel intensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action 20×
Perfect 2Sam 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 88:8 12×
Imperfect Exod 1:12 · Ps 94:5 · Exod 22:22 · Gen 31:50 · Job 37:23 · Lev 16:29
Infinitive absolute Exod 22:22
Infinitive construct Isa 58:5
Niphal passive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action
Participle active Isa 53:7 · Isa 58:10
Perfect Ps 119:107
Hithpael reflexive or reciprocal — the subject acts on itself or mutually with others
Perfect 1Kgs 2:26
Imperfect Ps 107:17
Hiphil causative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action
Participle active Eccl 5:19
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense
Imperfect Isa 31:4 · Ps 119:67 · Zech 10:2
Perfect Ps 116:10
Pual intensive passive — intensive action received by the subject
Imperfect Lev 23:29
Perfect Ps 119:71
Hebrew Verb Forms

How this verb appears across 33 occurrences in the Hebrew OT (OSHB Leningrad Codex).

Aspect / Form
Perfect 17 Imperfect 11 Participle 3 Infinitive absolute 1 Infinitive construct 1
Stem
Piel 20 Qal 4 Hithpael 3 Niphal 3 Pual 2 Hiphil 1
Mood
Indicative 17 Indicative/jussive 10 Indicative/cohortative 1

Aspect in Hebrew reflects grammatical form, not tense. "Perfect" (Perfective) typically denotes completed action; "Imperfect" (Imperfective) denotes incomplete or ongoing action. Stem modifies the action type (Qal=simple, Niphal=passive, Piel=intensive, etc.).

Morphology: OSHB WLC (Open Scriptures, CC BY 4.0) · STEPBible TEHMC (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0)

Cross-Language Connections

Greek words that correspond to or develop the meaning of this Hebrew word in the New Testament.

Sources