2199. zaaq

Lexical Summary

zaaq: To cry out, to call for help, to shout

Original Word: זָעַק
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: za`aq
Pronunciation: zah-ak'
Phonetic Spelling: (zaw-ak')
KJV: assemble, call (together), (make a) cry (out), come with such a company, gather (together), cause to be proclaimed
NASB: cried, cry, called together, cries, call, cry aloud, assembled
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to shriek (from anguish or danger)
2. by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

assemble, call together, make a cry out, come with such a company, gather together

A primitive root; to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly -- assemble, call (together), (make a) cry (out), come with such a company, gather (together), cause to be proclaimed.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to cry, cry out, call
NASB Translation
assembled (1), assembled together (1), call (2), called (1), called and together (1), called together (4), complain (1), cried (28), cries (3), cry (25), cry aloud (2), crying aloud (1), issued a proclamation (1), rallied (1), shouting (1), wailed (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

[זָעַק] verb cry, cry out, call ("" form of צעק q. v.; Arabic , Aramaic ) —

Qal Perfect3feminine singular וְזָעָ֑קָה 2 Samuel 13:19; 1singular זָעַקְתִּי Psalm 142:6; 3plural זָָֽעֲקוּ Judges 6:7 3t.; וְזָעֲקוּ consecutive Judges 11:11 2t.; 2 masculine plural וּזְעַקְתֶּם consecutive 1 Samuel 8:18; Imperfect3masculine singular יִזְעָ֑ק Isaiah 15:5; וַיִּזְעַק 1 Samuel 7:9 5t., etc.; Imperative זְעַק Ezekiel 21:17; feminine singular זַעֲקְיֿ Isaiah 14:31, compare Jeremiah 48:20 Kt; וְזַעֲקוּ Judges 10:14 2t.; וּזְעָ֑קוּ Jeremiah 48:20 Qr; Infinitive construct מִזְּעֹק 1 Samuel 7:8; וְלִזְעֹק 2 Samuel 19:29; suffix זַעְקֶ֑ךָ Isaiah 30:19; בְּזַעְקֵךְ Isaiah 57:13 (Ol^{§ 245 b} Ges^{§ 61}. 1. R 1); —

1 call, to one's aid, followed by accusative of person Judges 12:2.

2 cry, cry out, in need:

a. unto God (׳י), followed by אֶלֿ Judges 3:9,15; Judges 6:6,7; Judges 10:10; 1 Samuel 7:8,9 (+ בעד of intercession), 1 Samuel 12:8,10; 1 Samuel 15:11; Micah 3:4; Jeremiah 11:11; Habakkuk 1:2 (with accusative חמס, compare Hosea 8:2 below), 2 Chronicles 20:9; Psalm 22:6; Psalm 107:13; Psalm 107:19; Psalm 142:6; Joel 1:14; followed by ׳אֶליֿ + בְּקוֺל גָּדוֺל Nehemiah 9:4; + קוֺלִי Psalm 142:2 ("" התחנן); + בְּלִבָּם Hosea 7:14 (opposed to הֵילִיל); followed by לְ Hosea 8:2 (+ object of words uttered), 1 Chronicles 5:20; followed by suffix Nehemiah 9:28; followed by הַשָּׁמַיִם (without divine name) 2 Chronicles 32:20 ("" התפלל); absolute, but with implication of cry to ׳י 1 Samuel 8:18; Isaiah 30:19.

b. unto other gods, followed by אֶלֿ Judges 10:14; Jeremiah 11:12; Jonah 1:5.

c. unto king, followed by אֶלֿ 2 Samuel 19:29.

d. absolute, utterance of horror, anxiety, alarm, distress, sorrow, etc. 1 Samuel 4:13; 1 Samuel 5:10; 1 Samuel 28:12 (+ בקול גדול), 2 Samuel 13:19; 2 Samuel 19:5 (+ קול גדול), 1 Kings 22:32 2Chronicles 18:31; Isaiah 15:4; Isaiah 26:17; Isaiah 57:13; Jeremiah 20:8 ("" קרא, compare Habakkuk 1:2 above), Lamentations 3:8 ("" אֲשַׁוֵּעַ) Ezekiel 9:8; Ezekiel 11:13; Ezekiel 27:30; also of cry heard by God Exodus 2:23 (P); followed by לְ of that in behalf of, or for which one cries Isaiah 15:5; Jeremiah 48:31; so followed by עַלֿ Jeremiah 30:15; followed by accusative of congnate meaning with verb זְעָקָה Esther 4:1; "" היליל Jeremiah 47:2; and especially Imperative Isaiah 14:31; Jeremiah 25:34; Jeremiah 48:20; Ezekiel 21:17.

e. cry out against one, followed by עַלֿ Job 31:38 if my land cry out against me ("" יִבְכָּיוּן); compare also (absolute, and without preposition) Habakkuk 2:11 the stone shall cry out of (מִן) the wall.

Niph`al Perfect2masculine singular נִזְעָ֑קְתָּ Judges 18:23; 3masculine plural נִזְעֲקוּ Judges 18:22; Imperfect וַיִּזָּעֵק Judges 6:34 2t.; וַיִּזָּעֲקוּ Joshua 8:16; — be called together **= be called out for military service, passive of

Hiph`il 1.; compare GFM^{Judg 18:28}; assemble, join Joshua 8:16 (JE), Judges 18:22,23; 1 Samuel 14:20; followed by אַחֲרָיו Judges 6:34,35 assembled after him, i.e. joined him as his followers.

Hiph`il Imperfect וַיַּזְעֵק Judges 4:10 3t.; יַזְעִיקוּ Job 35:9; Imperative הַזְעֶקֿ 2 Samuel 20:4; Infinitive construct לְהַזְעִיק 2 Samuel 20:5; —

1 call, call out, or together, for military service, followed by accusative Judges 4:10,13; 2 Samuel 20:4,5.

2 make a crying Job 35:9 (יְשַׁוְּעוּ in "" clause)

3 have proclamation made ויאמר ׳ויז Jonah 3:7.

4 call out to, or at, followed by accusative וַיַּזְעֵק אֹתִי וַיְדַבֵּר Zechariah 6:8 (si vera lectio; Gr queries וַיָּעַר ?).

זְעִ֑ק verb cry, call (ᵑ7 Syriac; compare Biblical Hebrew); —

Pe`al Perfect3masculine singular ׳ז Daniel 6:21 (ב of voice).

Topical Lexicon

Root Idea and Scope of the Verb

The verb conveys an urgent, often loud appeal for help or justice. It can describe a distressed shout, a summons for aid, or an appeal presented in a formal complaint. About seventy-two occurrences span the Pentateuch, Historical Books, Wisdom Literature, and Prophets, revealing consistent theological contours: human need, divine attentiveness, and covenantal intervention.

Representative Old Testament Occurrences

Pentateuch
• Exodus 8:12 – Moses “cried out to the LORD” concerning the frogs, modeling priestly intercession.
• Deuteronomy 22:24 – The unused cry of the betrothed woman underscores the judicial weight of an unheard appeal.

Historical Books
• Judges 3:9; 3:15; 4:3; 6:6-7; 10:12-14 – Israel’s cyclical “crying out” in the judges’ era illustrates repentance leading to deliverance.
• 1 Samuel 12:8 – Samuel recounts Israel’s ancestors who “cried out to the LORD,” presenting a prophetic reminder of covenant faithfulness.
• 2 Kings 20:3 – Hezekiah “wept bitterly” and “cried out,” showing a king’s personal petition that moved God to extend his life.
• 2 Chronicles 14:11 – Asa’s battlefield cry (“O LORD, there is no one besides You to help the powerless…”) highlights reliance on divine strength amid overwhelming odds.
• 2 Chronicles 32:20 – Hezekiah and Isaiah “cried out in prayer to heaven,” combining royal and prophetic offices in intercession.

Wisdom Literature
• Job 19:7 – Job protests, “Though I cry, ‘Violence!’ I get no response,” voicing the perplexity of righteous suffering.
• Job 35:9-12 – Elihu notes that oppressed people “cry out,” yet without repentance their prayers remain unanswered, insisting on a moral dimension in petition.
• Psalm 18:6 – “In my distress I called upon the LORD… He heard my cry,” portraying God as the steadfast rescuer.

Prophets
• Isaiah 19:20 – God will send a savior when the Egyptians “cry out” under oppression, extending the principle beyond Israel.
• Jeremiah 11:11 – Judah will “cry out” but God will not listen, revealing judicial hardening after persistent rebellion.
• Zechariah 7:13 – “As I called and they would not listen, so they called and I would not listen,” affirming reciprocity in covenant dialogue.

Patterns of Divine Response

1. Compassionate Deliverance – In most narrative contexts (Judges, Kings, Chronicles), the cry elicits immediate divine action, reinforcing Yahweh’s identity as “a very present help in trouble.”
2. Conditional Hearing – Prophetic texts stress that unrepentant cries (Jeremiah 11:11; Zechariah 7:13) meet divine silence, underscoring moral accountability.
3. Universality – The verb applies to Israel, foreigners (Egypt, Isaiah 19:20), and the marginalized (widows, Deuteronomy 24:15). God’s concern transcends ethnic boundaries while maintaining covenant priorities.

Corporate Versus Individual Appeals

Corporate: Israel’s national laments (Judges 10:10), citywide alarms (2 Chronicles 32:20), and communal fasts employ the verb to unite the people in penitence and hope.

Individual: Personal laments (Hezekiah, Job) demonstrate that solitary voices also reach heaven, validating intimate relationship with God.

Liturgical and Worship Implications

The verb informs the language of lament psalms and suggests a place for loud, earnest petitions within public worship. It justifies vigorous congregational prayer nights, solemn assemblies, and prophetic intercession. Levitical musicians and gatekeepers served as audible watchmen, echoing the same urgency.

Covenantal and Prophetic Messaging

Each “cry” spotlights covenant dynamics: sin leads to oppression; repentance expresses itself in a loud plea; God relents and restores. Prophets leverage this pattern to warn future generations, proving Scripture’s self-consistent testimony of sin, judgment, mercy, and restoration.

Messianic and Eschatological Hints

The repeated motif anticipates the ultimate Deliverer who would hear and answer all righteous cries. The Gospel narratives show crowds “crying out” to Jesus (reflecting the Hebrew background), and Revelation pictures martyrs who “cry out” beneath the altar, awaiting final vindication. The Old Testament verb prepares readers for this climactic hope.

Ministry Applications Today

• Intercessory Prayer – Encourage believers to embrace urgent, vocal supplication, trusting God’s compassionate ear (Psalm 18:6).
• Social Justice – The biblical God hears the oppressed; therefore pastors and churches must respond to contemporary “cries” with advocacy and relief.
• Preaching Repentance – Remind congregations that unrepentant hearts can silence heaven’s response (Zechariah 7:13).
• Worship Design – Incorporate seasons of collective crying out—prayer vigils, responsive readings—to align modern gatherings with biblical precedent.

The verb thus portrays the faithful God who attunes Himself to human desperation, yet who also requires sincerity and obedience. Its narrative, liturgical, and prophetic threads weave a robust theology of prayerful dependence that remains vital for the church’s life and mission.

Forms and Transliterations

אֶזְעַ֥ק אֶזְעַק֙ אֶזְעָ֑ק אֶזְעָ֔ק אזעק בְּזַֽעֲקֵךְ֙ בזעקך הַזְעֶק־ הזעק־ וְזַֽעֲקוּ֙ וְזַעֲק֖וּ וְזַעֲק֗וּ וְזָֽעֲקוּ֙ וְזָעֲק֣וּ וְזָעָֽקָה׃ וְיִזְעֲק֖וּ וְלִזְעֹ֥ק וְנִזְעַ֥ק וַֽיִּזְעֲק֖וּ וַֽיִּזְעֲקוּ֙ וַֽיִּזְעֲקוּ֮ וַיִּזְעֲק֣וּ וַיִּזְעֲק֤וּ וַיִּזְעֲק֥וּ וַיִּזְעֲק֨וּ וַיִּזְעַ֖ק וַיִּזְעַ֛ק וַיִּזְעַ֤ק וַיִּזְעַ֥ק וַיִּזְעַ֨ק וַיִּזְעָ֑קוּ וַיִּזְעָק֔וּךָ וַיִּזָּעֲק֗וּ וַיִּזָּעֵ֣ק וַיִּזָּעֵ֥ק וַיַּזְעֵ֗ק וַיַּזְעֵ֣ק וַיַּזְעֵ֨ק וַתִּזְעַ֖ק וַתִּזְעַ֤ק וָאֶזְעַ֗ק וָאֶזְעַ֣ק וּֽזְעָ֑קוּ וּזְעַקְתֶּם֙ ואזעק וזעקה׃ וזעקו וזעקתם ויזעק ויזעקו ויזעקוך ולזעק ונזעק ותזעק זְעַ֤ק זַֽעֲקִי־ זָעֲק֣וּ זָעֲק֤וּ זָעֲק֥וּ זָעֲקוּ֙ זָעַ֥קְתִּי זעק זעקו זעקי־ זעקתי יִזְעֲק֣וּ יִזְעָ֑קוּ יִזְעָ֔ק יַזְעִ֑יקוּ יזעיקו יזעק יזעקו לְהַזְעִ֣יק להזעיק מִזְּעֹ֖ק מזעק נִֽזְעֲק֔וּ נִזְעָֽקְתָּ׃ נזעקו נזעקת׃ תִּזְעַ֖ק תִּזְעַק֙ תִּזְעָ֑ק תִזְעָ֑ק תזעק ’ez‘aq ’ez‘āq ’ez·‘aq ’ez·‘āq bə·za·‘ă·qêḵ bəza‘ăqêḵ bezaakeCh ezAk haz‘eq- haz·‘eq- hazek lə·haz·‘îq ləhaz‘îq lehazIk miz·zə·‘ōq mizzə‘ōq mizzeOk niz‘āqətā niz‘ăqū niz·‘ā·qə·tā niz·‘ă·qū nizAketa nizaKu tiz‘aq tiz‘āq ṯiz‘āq tiz·‘aq tiz·‘āq ṯiz·‘āq tizAk ū·zə·‘ā·qū ū·zə·‘aq·tem ūzə‘aqtem ūzə‘āqū uzeakTem uzeAku vaezAk vaiyazEk vaiyizAk vaiyizAku vaiyizaKucha vaiyizzaaKu vaiyizzaEk vattizAk velizOk venizAk veyizaKu vezaAkah vezaaKu wā’ez‘aq wā·’ez·‘aq wat·tiz·‘aq wattiz‘aq way·yaz·‘êq way·yiz·‘ă·qū way·yiz·‘ā·qū way·yiz·‘ā·qū·ḵā way·yiz·‘aq way·yiz·zā·‘ă·qū way·yiz·zā·‘êq wayyaz‘êq wayyiz‘aq wayyiz‘ăqū wayyiz‘āqū wayyiz‘āqūḵā wayyizzā‘ăqū wayyizzā‘êq wə·liz·‘ōq wə·niz·‘aq wə·yiz·‘ă·qū wə·zā·‘ā·qāh wə·za·‘ă·qū wə·zā·‘ă·qū wəliz‘ōq wəniz‘aq wəyiz‘ăqū wəzā‘āqāh wəza‘ăqū wəzā‘ăqū yaz‘îqū yaz·‘î·qū yazIku yiz‘āq yiz‘ăqū yiz‘āqū yiz·‘ă·qū yiz·‘ā·qū yiz·‘āq yizAk yizAku za‘ăqî- zā‘aqtî zā‘ăqū za·‘ă·qî- zā·‘ă·qū zā·‘aq·tî zaaki zaAkti zaaKu zə‘aq zə·‘aq zeAk

Englishman's Concordance

Exodus 2:23
HEB: מִן־ הָעֲבֹדָ֖ה וַיִּזְעָ֑קוּ וַתַּ֧עַל שַׁוְעָתָ֛ם
NAS: of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry for help
KJV: the bondage, and they cried, and their cry
INT: because of the bondage cried rose and their cry

Joshua 8:16
HEB: וַיִּזָּעֲק֗וּ כָּל־ הָעָם֙
NAS: were in the city were called together to pursue
KJV: that [were] in Ai were called together to pursue
INT: were called and all the people

Judges 3:9
HEB: וַיִּזְעֲק֤וּ בְנֵֽי־ יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
NAS: of Israel cried to the LORD,
KJV: of Israel cried unto the LORD,
INT: cried the sons of Israel

Judges 3:15
HEB: וַיִּזְעֲק֣וּ בְנֵֽי־ יִשְׂרָאֵל֮
NAS: of Israel cried to the LORD,
KJV: of Israel cried unto the LORD,
INT: cried the sons of Israel

Judges 4:10
HEB: וַיַּזְעֵ֨ק בָּרָ֜ק אֶת־
NAS: Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali
KJV: And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali
INT: called Barak Zebulun

Judges 4:13
HEB: וַיַּזְעֵ֨ק סִֽיסְרָ֜א אֶת־
NAS: Sisera called together all
KJV: And Sisera gathered together all his chariots,
INT: called Sisera all

Judges 6:6
HEB: מִפְּנֵ֣י מִדְיָ֑ן וַיִּזְעֲק֥וּ בְנֵֽי־ יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
NAS: of Israel cried to the LORD.
KJV: of Israel cried unto the LORD.
INT: because of Midian cried and the sons of Israel

Judges 6:7
HEB: וַיְהִ֕י כִּֽי־ זָעֲק֥וּ בְנֵֽי־ יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
NAS: of Israel cried to the LORD
KJV: of Israel cried unto the LORD
INT: came when cried the sons of Israel

Judges 6:34
HEB: וַיִּתְקַע֙ בַּשּׁוֹפָ֔ר וַיִּזָּעֵ֥ק אֲבִיעֶ֖זֶר אַחֲרָֽיו׃
NAS: and the Abiezrites were called together to follow
KJV: and Abiezer was gathered after
INT: blew A trumpet were called and the Abiezrites to follow

Judges 6:35
HEB: בְּכָל־ מְנַשֶּׁ֔ה וַיִּזָּעֵ֥ק גַּם־ ה֖וּא
NAS: and they also were called together to follow
KJV: throughout all Manasseh; who also was gathered after
INT: throughout Manasseh were called also he

Judges 10:10
HEB: וַֽיִּזְעֲקוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
NAS: of Israel cried out to the LORD,
KJV: of Israel cried unto the LORD,
INT: cried the sons of Israel

Judges 10:14
HEB: לְכ֗וּ וְזַֽעֲקוּ֙ אֶל־ הָ֣אֱלֹהִ֔ים
NAS: Go and cry out to the gods which
KJV: Go and cry unto the gods
INT: Go and cry to the gods

Judges 12:2
HEB: עַמּ֖וֹן מְאֹ֑ד וָאֶזְעַ֣ק אֶתְכֶ֔ם וְלֹֽא־
NAS: of Ammon; when I called you, you did not deliver
KJV: of Ammon; and when I called you, ye delivered
INT: of Ammon great called did not deliver

Judges 18:22
HEB: בֵּ֣ית מִיכָ֔ה נִֽזְעֲק֔וּ וַיַּדְבִּ֖יקוּ אֶת־
NAS: house assembled and overtook
KJV: house were gathered together, and overtook
INT: house Micah's assembled and overtook the sons

Judges 18:23
HEB: לְּךָ֖ כִּ֥י נִזְעָֽקְתָּ׃
NAS: What is [the matter] with you, that you have assembled together?
KJV: unto Micah, What aileth thee, that thou comest with such a company?
INT: What that you have assembled

1 Samuel 4:13
HEB: לְהַגִּ֣יד בָּעִ֔יר וַתִּזְעַ֖ק כָּל־ הָעִֽיר׃
NAS: and all the city cried out.
KJV: and told [it], all the city cried out.
INT: to tell the city cried and all the city

1 Samuel 5:10
HEB: הָאֱלֹהִים֙ עֶקְר֔וֹן וַיִּזְעֲק֨וּ הָֽעֶקְרֹנִ֜ים לֵאמֹ֗ר
NAS: the Ekronites cried out, saying,
KJV: that the Ekronites cried out, saying,
INT: of God to Ekron cried the Ekronites saying

1 Samuel 7:8
HEB: תַּחֲרֵ֣שׁ מִמֶּ֔נּוּ מִזְּעֹ֖ק אֶל־ יְהוָ֣ה
NAS: Do not cease to cry to the LORD
KJV: Cease not to cry unto the LORD
INT: cease at to cry to the LORD

1 Samuel 7:9
HEB: כָּלִ֖יל לַֽיהוָ֑ה וַיִּזְעַ֨ק שְׁמוּאֵ֤ל אֶל־
NAS: and Samuel cried to the LORD
KJV: and Samuel cried unto the LORD
INT: A whole to the LORD cried and Samuel to

1 Samuel 8:18
HEB: וּזְעַקְתֶּם֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֔וּא
NAS: Then you will cry out in that day
KJV: And ye shall cry out in that day
INT: will cry day he

1 Samuel 12:8
HEB: יַעֲקֹ֖ב מִצְרָ֑יִם וַיִּזְעֲק֤וּ אֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶם֙ אֶל־
NAS: and your fathers cried out to the LORD,
KJV: and your fathers cried unto the LORD,
INT: Jacob Egypt cried and your fathers to

1 Samuel 12:10
HEB: וַיִּזְעֲק֤וּ אֶל־ יְהוָה֙
NAS: They cried out to the LORD and said,
KJV: And they cried unto the LORD,
INT: cried to the LORD

1 Samuel 14:20
HEB: וַיִּזָּעֵ֣ק שָׁא֗וּל וְכָל־
NAS: who [were] with him rallied and came
KJV: and all the people that [were] with him assembled themselves, and they came
INT: rallied Saul and all

1 Samuel 15:11
HEB: וַיִּ֙חַר֙ לִשְׁמוּאֵ֔ל וַיִּזְעַ֥ק אֶל־ יְהוָ֖ה
NAS: was distressed and cried out to the LORD
KJV: Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD
INT: was distressed and Samuel and cried to the LORD

1 Samuel 28:12
HEB: אֶת־ שְׁמוּאֵ֔ל וַתִּזְעַ֖ק בְּק֣וֹל גָּד֑וֹל
NAS: Samuel, she cried out with a loud
KJV: Samuel, she cried with a loud
INT: the woman Samuel cried voice A loud

72 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 2199
72 Occurrences

bə·za·‘ă·qêḵ — 1 Occ.
’ez·‘āq — 5 Occ.
haz·‘eq- — 1 Occ.
lə·haz·‘îq — 1 Occ.
miz·zə·‘ōq — 1 Occ.
niz·‘ā·qə·tā — 1 Occ.
niz·‘ă·qū — 1 Occ.
ṯiz·‘āq — 4 Occ.
ū·zə·‘aq·tem — 1 Occ.
ū·zə·‘ā·qū — 1 Occ.
wā·’ez·‘aq — 3 Occ.
way·yaz·‘êq — 4 Occ.
way·yiz·‘aq — 6 Occ.
way·yiz·‘ā·qū — 13 Occ.
way·yiz·‘ā·qū·ḵā — 1 Occ.
way·yiz·zā·‘ă·qū — 1 Occ.
way·yiz·zā·‘êq — 3 Occ.
wat·tiz·‘aq — 3 Occ.
wə·liz·‘ōq — 1 Occ.
wə·niz·‘aq — 1 Occ.
wə·yiz·‘ă·qū — 1 Occ.
wə·zā·‘ā·qāh — 1 Occ.
wə·za·‘ă·qū — 6 Occ.
yaz·‘î·qū — 1 Occ.
yiz·‘āq — 1 Occ.
yiz·‘ā·qū — 2 Occ.
za·‘ă·qî- — 1 Occ.
zā·‘aq·tî — 1 Occ.
zā·‘ă·qū — 4 Occ.
zə·‘aq — 1 Occ.