Moan is a term that appears in the context of biblical literature, often associated with expressions of deep sorrow, lamentation, or distress. While the word "moan" itself may not be a proper noun or a specific location within the biblical narrative, it is a significant expression found throughout the Scriptures, reflecting the human experience of suffering and the cry for divine intervention.

Biblical Context and Usage

In the Bible, moaning is frequently depicted as a response to intense emotional or physical pain. It is an expression that captures the depth of human anguish and the longing for relief or deliverance. The act of moaning is often associated with prayer, supplication, and the seeking of God's mercy.

One of the notable instances of moaning can be found in the Psalms, where the psalmists often pour out their hearts before God, expressing their distress and seeking His intervention. For example, in Psalm 5:1 , David pleads, "Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning." Here, the term "groaning" is synonymous with moaning, indicating a deep, heartfelt cry to God.

Similarly, in the book of Lamentations, the prophet Jeremiah vividly describes the moaning of Jerusalem as it faces destruction and exile. Lamentations 1:4 states, "The roads to Zion mourn, for no one comes to her appointed feasts. All her gates are desolate; her priests groan, her maidens grieve, and she is in bitter anguish." The imagery of moaning here underscores the profound sense of loss and desolation experienced by the people.

Theological Significance

From a theological perspective, moaning in the Bible is not merely an expression of despair but also an acknowledgment of human dependence on God. It reflects the understanding that in times of suffering, God is the ultimate source of comfort and deliverance. The act of moaning, therefore, becomes a form of prayer, a way to communicate with God in the midst of trials.

The Apostle Paul, in the New Testament, speaks to the concept of moaning in the context of creation's longing for redemption. In Romans 8:22-23 , he writes, "We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time. Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." Here, moaning is portrayed as a universal experience, a sign of the anticipation of God's ultimate restoration.

Practical Implications

For believers, the biblical portrayal of moaning serves as a reminder of the importance of bringing one's burdens before God. It encourages an honest and open dialogue with the Creator, trusting in His compassion and faithfulness. The Scriptures affirm that God hears the cries of His people and is moved by their suffering.

In times of personal or communal distress, the act of moaning can be seen as a spiritual discipline, a way to align one's heart with God's purposes and to seek His guidance and strength. It is a testament to the enduring hope that, despite present afflictions, God's promises remain steadfast and true.1. (v. i.) To make a low prolonged sound of grief or pain, whether articulate or not; to groan softly and continuously.

2. (v. i.) To emit a sound like moan; -- said of things inanimate; as, the wind moans.

3. (v. t.) To bewail audibly; to lament.

4. (v. t.) To afflict; to distress.

5. (n.) A low prolonged sound, articulate or not, indicative of pain or of grief; a low groan.

6. (n.) A low mournful or murmuring sound; -- of things.

4727. stenazo -- to groan (within oneself)
... context). [This term "denotes feeling which is " (J. Mayor, 162), ie to sigh,
moan (groan) with frustration.]. Word Origin from steno ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4727.htm - 7k

4959. sustenazo -- to groan together
... lament, groan together. From sun and stenazo; to moan jointly, ie (figuratively)
experience a common calamity -- groan together. see GREEK sun. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4959.htm - 6k

1897. hagah -- to moan, growl, utter, speak, muse
... hagah. 1898 . to moan, growl, utter, speak, muse. Transliteration: hagah Phonetic
Spelling: (daw-gaw') Short Definition: meditate. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/1897.htm - 6k

5090b. nahag -- to moan, lament
... nahag. 5091 . to moan, lament. Transliteration: nahag Short Definition: moaning.
Word Origin a prim. root Definition to moan, lament NASB Word Usage moaning ( ...
/hebrew/5090b.htm - 5k

7580. shaag -- to roar
... roars (4). mightily, roar. A primitive root; to rumble or moan -- X mightily,
roar. 7579, 7580. shaag. 7581 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/7580.htm - 5k

7581. sheagah -- a roaring
... roaring (3). roaring. From sha'ag; a rumbling or moan -- roaring. see HEBREW
sha'ag. 7580, 7581. sheagah. 7582 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/7581.htm - 6k

1993. hamah -- to murmur, growl, roar, be boisterous
... "hum"); by implication, to be in great commotion or tumult, to rage, war, moan,
clamor -- clamorous, concourse, cry aloud, be disquieted, loud, mourn, be moved ...
/hebrew/1993.htm - 6k

A Mournful Exclamation and Lamentable Moan to God for the Small ...
... A mournful Exclamation and lamentable Moan to God for the Small Company of Souls
that arrive at Perfection, the Loving Union and the Divine Transformation. ...
/.../chap xxii a mournful exclamation.htm

How the Whole and the Sick are to be Admonished.
... unto aliens and thy years unto the cruel, lest haply strangers be filled with thy
wealth, and thy labours be in the house of a stranger, and thou moan at the ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xii how the whole.htm

A True Story
... But it was not cold, and it was not pain,. That made her shiver and moan again:
She ... know.". So the neighbour went, and she heard no moan,. ...
/.../bevan/hymns of ter steegen and others second series/a true story.htm

Missed Ends
... The house door opened upon the verandah, and we could hear the moan of
the dirge. "There is sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter vi missed ends.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xii. 15, "And He Said unto Them ...
... one to destroy the ungodly people, He first sent one to mark them, and said to him,
"Go and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and moan for the ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lvii on the words.htm

During These Various Changes in the Lives of those with whom He ...
... Varillo took his hand from his eyes and tossed himself back on his pillow with a
petulant moan. "Can they do nothing better for me than this?" he ejaculated. ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xxxv during these various changes.htm

Of visions. The Graces Our Lord Bestowed on the Saint. The Answers ...
... It cannot even breathe; all it does is to moan"not loudly, because it cannot:
its moaning, however, comes from a keen sense of pain. 16. ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter xxix of visions the.htm

The Doctrines of Salvation A. Repentance. B. Faith. C. ...
... The Hebrew equivalent is even stronger, and means to pant, to sigh, to moan. So
the publican "beat upon his breast," indicating sorrow of heart. ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrines of salvation a.htm

The Sermon of the Seasons
... Every morning when we wake we hope for a change of wind, a glimpse of the sun,
and the end of the frost; but still we moan with the poet". ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/the sermon of the seasons.htm

When Diamond Got Home He Found his Father at Home Already...
... They never had heard of the bogy To-morrow; But the mother sat outside, making
her moan"-. She'll soon have to beg, or steal, or borrow. ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 23 when diamond got.htm

Moan (13 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To emit a sound like moan; -- said of things inanimate; as, the wind moans.
3. (vt) To bewail audibly; to lament. ...Moan (13 Occurrences). ...
/m/moan.htm - 10k

Complaint (29 Occurrences)
... See NAS). Psalms 55:2 Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my
complaint, and moan, (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS). Psalms 55:17 ...
/c/complaint.htm - 15k

Doves (25 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 59:11 We roar all like bears, and moan sore like doves: we look for justice,
but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us. ...
/d/doves.htm - 14k

Moaning (9 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Moan. ... Nahum 2:7 And the queen is uncovered, she is carried away, and
her handmaids moan as with the voice of doves, tabering upon their breasts. ...
/m/moaning.htm - 8k

Groan (32 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To give forth a low, moaning sound in breathing;
to utter a groan, as in pain, in sorrow, or in derision; to moan. ...
/g/groan.htm - 21k

Stripped (62 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS RSV NIV). Micah 1:8 For this I will lament and wail; I will go stripped
and naked; I will howl like the jackals, and moan like the daughters of owls. ...
/s/stripped.htm - 24k

Noise (126 Occurrences)
... confused noise" (Isaiah 9:5), "all the armor of the armed man in the tumult," margin
"every boot of the booted warrior"; for "make a noise," "moan" (Psalm 55:2 ...
/n/noise.htm - 41k

Noonday (13 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS DBY NAS RSV NIV). Psalms 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noonday,
will I complain, and moan; And he will hear my voice. (ASV). ...
/n/noonday.htm - 10k

Owls (7 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Micah 1:8 For this I will lament and wail; I will go stripped and naked;
I will howl like the jackals, and moan like the daughters of owls. ...
/o/owls.htm - 8k

Jackals (20 Occurrences)
... (BBE NIV). Micah 1:8 For this I will lament and wail; I will go stripped and naked;
I will howl like the jackals, and moan like the daughters of owls. ...
/j/jackals.htm - 12k

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