The Hebrew word *anah* (H6031) carries significant meaning in relation to the Day of Atonement, often describing self-inflicted inner pain or sorrow, frequently accompanied by fasting. In Isaiah 53:4, when *anah* is used in the niphal stem, it indicates reflexive action, meaning the pain or affliction is self-imposed, as seen in Christ voluntarily submitting Himself to affliction. English translations often add words to clarify this self-imposed nature of the humbling. Examples in Scripture further illustrate this concept. In Psalm 35:13, though *anah* is not in the niphal stem, the verse explains the humbling as self-imposed through fasting, with the psalmist stating, "I humbled myself with fasting." Similarly, in Ezra 8:21, a fast is proclaimed to humble the people before God, seeking His guidance, again showing *anah* as a self-inflicted act of humility through fasting. God devotes an entire festival, the most solemn day of the year, to this exercise of self-affliction to promote humility, emphasizing that pride, the root of division and conflict, must be removed. This humbling process, often painful, is designed to impress upon us the need for unity and reconciliation with Him, underscoring that such unity will not occur until pride is driven out.

The fifth reflection focuses on affliction as depicted in Psalm 119, where the word 'anah (H6031) is used to describe being bowed down, humbled, or subjected to harsh and painful treatment. This term, also associated with afflicting ourselves on the Day of Atonement, highlights a necessary process of learning God's way of life through suffering. The psalmist portrays affliction as a beneficial tool that encourages reflection on personal shortcomings and fosters an aversion to behaviors that miss God's mark. In the context of the pandemic, the wretchedness experienced by many in the church can serve as a literal God-send if connected to specific life aspects falling short of God's glory. This affliction offers an opportunity to develop a firm resolve against sin by associating the pain of suffering with wrong behavior, aiding in the cessation of such actions as a means to live according to God's will.

The Hebrew word *anah* (Strong's H6031) carries the meaning of being afflicted, bowed down, humbled, or made meek. It can also imply oppression, emaciation, or suffering, often expressing harsh and painful treatment beyond mere discomfort. In the context of fasting, as seen in Leviticus 23:27, 29, and 32, God commands the affliction of the soul on the Day of Atonement, repeating this directive three times to emphasize its importance. This affliction is directly linked to fasting, as evidenced in Isaiah 58:3, where fasting and afflicting the soul are used in parallel, indicating that to afflict oneself is to deny sustenance and endure self-inflicted hardship. The term *anah* appears in various scriptural contexts to illustrate harsh treatment or suffering. In Genesis 16, Sarah's harsh dealings with Hagar, described by *anah*, were so severe that Hagar fled to escape the misery. In Psalm 105:18, Joseph's affliction in Egypt, again denoted by *anah*, involved painful fetters that caused suffering and restricted his freedom. Deuteronomy 8 shows God using affliction to humble and test the Israelites in the wilderness, allowing them to suffer to reveal their hearts. In I Kings 11:39, God afflicts the house of David as a consequence of idolatry, demonstrating *anah* as a tool for correction. Psalm 90 reflects on God's affliction as a source of anguish, prompting a cry for relief and a return to better days. Through these examples, *anah* conveys a deliberate infliction of pain or oppression intended to provoke change. God desires this self-affliction during fasting to be a voluntary act of humility, encouraging a shift in perception and behavior. By afflicting their souls, individuals are to deny their carnal nature, submit to God's will, and avoid the greater afflictions, such as famine, that come as divine correction or punishment.