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# afflict

verb (afflict, afflicts, afflicted, afflicting)

«afflict» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To cause pain, suffering or trouble to someone or something. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/afflict/#m1)
2. (often passive) To be afflicted with an illness or problem is to suffer from it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/afflict/#m2)

### In the lessons

Formal; met in news, history and stories: diseases, droughts and floods afflict people. Phrases: «afflicted with/by», «afflict a region».

### Examples

- Floods afflicted the town every spring. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/afflict/#x1)
- The plague afflicted much of Europe. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/afflict/#x2)
- He was afflicted with a terrible cough. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/afflict/#x3)
- Hunger afflicts millions of people. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/afflict/#x4)
- The old tree was afflicted by a fungus. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/afflict/#x5)
- Shyness afflicted her as a child. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/afflict/#x6)
- “Do not thus afflict yourself, my good master. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/afflict/#x7)

### Note

Noun: affliction. Used mostly about illness and trouble. Do not confuse with «inflict» (to make someone suffer something: «inflict pain on»).

## In Jewish tradition

Often means to oppress or humble someone. The Egyptians afflict Israel with hard labor, and God commands Israel not to afflict widows and orphans.

**Interpretation.** On Yom Kippur "afflict your souls" is read as a command to fast and deny oneself. Tradition also reads the commands about widows and orphans as a moral duty to protect the weak.

### Examples

- Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. (Torah EXO.22.22, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/A/afflict/#x1)
- Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. (Torah EXO.1.11, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/A/afflict/#x2)
- It is a sabbath of solemn rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls; it is a statute for ever. (Torah LEV.16.31, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/A/afflict/#x3)
- They crush Thy people, O LORD, and afflict Thy heritage. (Writings PSA.94.5, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/A/afflict/#x4)
- Wilt Thou hold Thy peace, and afflict us very sore? (Prophets ISA.64.11, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/A/afflict/#x5)
- For He doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men. (Writings LAM.3.33, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/A/afflict/#x6)

### Note

Noun: affliction. Used mostly about illness and trouble. Do not confuse with «inflict» (to make someone suffer something: «inflict pain on»).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «afflict» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/afflict/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«afflict» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/afflict.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «afflict» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/A/afflict/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«afflict» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/afflict.html) on Mova free.