אָֽנָּ֫א
an.na (H0577)
Please!
AI Word Study
# Analysis of Hebrew אָֽנָּ֫א (anna) The Hebrew word *anna* functions as a plea or entreaty, with its primary definition rendered as "Please!" This classification identifies it as an interjection—a word designed to express emotion or make a direct appeal rather than to convey propositional meaning. The word's fundamental purpose is to introduce or intensify a request, softening or emphasizing an appeal to another person. With thirteen occurrences in the biblical text, *anna* appears with sufficient frequency to suggest it held practical communicative value in biblical Hebrew discourse. The modest number of attestations indicates it was a conventional but not ubiquitous element of speech—employed when speakers wanted to stress urgency or respectfulness in their petitions. Its role as an interjection means it typically accompanied actual requests or commands, functioning as a linguistic marker that framed the speaker's tone as one of earnest appeal rather than simple assertion. The word's significance lies in its reflection of how biblical Hebrew speakers marked interpersonal dynamics within dialogue. By inserting *anna*, speakers signaled deference, urgency, or emotional investment in their requests. This linguistic choice appears throughout the biblical narrative as a tool for expressing the human dimension of petition—whether addressed to other people, kings, or in religious contexts—making it a window into how biblical writers conveyed relational tone and communicative intent.
AI synthesis uses only provided lexicon data -- never training knowledge.
‘You shall tell Joseph, “Now please forgive the disobedience of your brothers, and their sin, because they did evil to you.” ’ Now, please forgive the disobedience of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him.
Moses returned to Yahweh, and said, “Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made themselves gods of gold.
“Remember now, Yahweh, I beg you, how I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
and said, “I beg you, Yahweh, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments:
Lord, I beg you, let your ear be attentive now to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants, who delight to fear your name; and please prosper your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Now I was cup bearer to the king.
Then I called on Yahweh’s name: “Yahweh, I beg you, deliver my soul.”
Yahweh, truly I am your servant. I am your servant, the son of your servant girl. You have freed me from my chains.
Save us now, we beg you, Yahweh! Yahweh, we beg you, send prosperity now.
and said, “Remember now, Yahweh, I beg you, how I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in your sight.” Then Hezekiah wept bitterly.
I prayed to Yahweh my God, and made confession, and said, “Oh, Lord, the great and dreadful God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments,
Therefore they cried to Yahweh, and said, “We beg you, Yahweh, we beg you, don’t let us die for this man’s life, and don’t lay on us innocent blood; for you, Yahweh, have done as it pleased you.”
He prayed to Yahweh, and said, “Please, Yahweh, wasn’t this what I said when I was still in my own country? Therefore I hurried to flee to Tarshish, for I knew that you are a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and you relent of doing harm.