H5790 H5790
to help, sustain, support (very uncertain; possibly Aramaism, or text is corrupt)
This infinitive verb form appears in a textually problematic passage in Isaiah 50:4, where the Servant speaks of being given 'the tongue of the learned' to know how to sustain the weary with a word. The meaning 'to help' or 'sustain' is commonly accepted, though scholars note it may be an Aramaism (related to Aramaic and Arabic roots for helping and succoring). Others suggest textual corruption and propose various emendations like 'answer,' 'teach,' or 'revive.' Despite these uncertainties, the basic sense of supporting or sustaining the weary with timely words fits the Servant's mission of bringing comfort and strengthening those who are exhausted or discouraged.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Isaiah 50:4 describes the Servant's ability 'to sustain the weary with a word.' Spanish 'sostener' (to sustain) and English 'how to sustain' both capture the sense of upholding or supporting through speech. The Servant is portrayed as one who knows the right word for the right moment—strengthening those who are exhausted, discouraged, or ready to give up. This fits the broader Servant Songs' theme of gentle restoration. 1×
AR["أَنْ-أُعِينَ"]·ben["সান্ত্বনা-দিতে"]·DE["[לעות]"]·EN["how-to-sustain"]·FR["[לעות]"]·heb["ל-עות"]·HI["प्रोत्साहित-करने"]·ID["untuk-menguatkan"]·IT["[לעות]"]·jav["nyanggi"]·KO["도우려고-"]·PT["sustentar"]·RU["поддержать"]·ES["sostener"]·SW["kusaidia"]·TR["desteklemek-icin-"]·urd["سہارنا"]
Related Senses
H0559 1. say, speak, tell (5297×)G3004 1. say, tell, speak (2226×)H1696 1. speak, say, tell (Piel) (1105×)H7121 1. call, summon, name (575×)H6680 1. command, order, charge (483×)H6030b 1. answer, respond, reply (289×)G2980 1. speak, talk (277×)H5046 1. Hifil: to tell, report (237×)G0611 1. answer or respond verbally (232×)H1288 1. Piel: bless, invoke blessing (227×)H7650 1. swear, take an oath (Niphal) (154×)H3789 1. Qal passive participle: written, recorded (112×)H1984b 1. praise, laud (Piel) (111×)H7592 1. ask, inquire, question (96×)H3034 1. give thanks, praise (Hifil) (94×)G1321 1. teach, instruct actively (92×)H3789 2. Qal active: write, compose (89×)G1125 1. to write, compose (a letter or document) (84×)H5046 2. Hifil: to declare, proclaim (79×)H7892a 1. song, musical composition (78×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† עוּת vb. very dub.; only in לָדַעַת לָעוּת אֶת־יָעֵף דָּבָר Is 50:4 usually to help, so Ges Del Di RyKau; al., but in that case an Aramaism (Aramaic עות = Arabic غاث, q.v. sub עוּשׁ); text prob. corrupt, 𝔊 OortTh Times 1891, 469 לְעִתּוֹ, and del. אֶת־יָעֵף; Klo CheComm. לִרְעוֹת ‘teach, edify,’ Gr לַעֲנוֹת, CheHpt. לְהַחֲיוֹת.