CRY, CRYING (זָעַק, H2410, cry out as to the Lord for help; צָעַק, H7590, to cry for help; קָרָא֒, H7924, often tr. call; שָׁוַע, H8775, cry with vehemence; βοάω, G1066, cry or shout; κράζω, G3189, cry out repeatedly; φωνέω, G5888, sound or give voice; κραυγάζω, G3198, make a clamor.) Modern VSS of the Bible should be consulted for a variety of trs. given the original words.

The “cry” may or may not be uttered; it may express the anguish of the soul under dire and prolonged stress or burden and the lifting of perpetual petition in search of fulfillment, deliverance, or the answer to the riddles of life. Thus Hebrews 5:7: “In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears.” At times the idea of prayer was uppermost, as in the cry of Jesus from the cross (Matt 27:46; Luke 23:46). The two terms, “pray” and “cry” are used interchangeably in Psalm 39:12: “Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry.”

Many emotions and attitudes are expressed by the various forms of “cry,” such as distress (Exod 2:23; Matt 27:46), fear (Matt 14:26; Luke 9:39), joy (Isa 54:1; Gal 4:27), confidence (1 Sam 7:8; 2 Chron 20:9), doubt or uncertainty (Exod 17:4; Ezek 9:8), triumph (Judg 7:20; John 12:13), appeal (1 Sam 7:9; James 5:4), agony (Job 30:24; Matt 27:46), sorrow (1 Sam 15:11; Isa 65:14; Mark 15:34), petition (Matt 9:27).

Bibliography HDCG, Vol. I, 399; ISBE, Vol. II, 764. Arndt; BDB.