דָּמַע
𐤃𐤌𐤏
dâmaʻ
H1830 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To shed tears, to weep, typically as an outward expression of grief, distress, sorrow, or intense emotion. The term is most commonly used for literal crying and physical tears, but in some contexts may also refer more generally to an act of lamentation or deep mourning. The word can denote weeping in both private grief and collective sorrow, often in response to misfortune, bereavement, injustice, or calamity.
Semantic Range
to shed tears, to weep, to mourn (intensely), to express distress by crying, to produce tears
Root / Etymology
From the root דּ-מ-ע, which conveys the core idea of 'shedding tears.' The verb דָּמַע reflects the act of producing tears or weeping. The root does not form an extensive family of related terms in biblical Hebrew, but nouns such as דִּמְעָה (tear) are derived from it. The underlying image is that of physical tears flowing from the eye.
Historical & Contextual Notes
דָּמַע occurs relatively infrequently in biblical Hebrew, with the verb and its related noun forms appearing most often in contexts of lamentation, tragedy, or heartfelt prayer. In some periods, especially prophetic and poetic literature, weeping is a communal as well as individual expression of distress. The term is more specific than synonyms such as בָּכָה (to weep, cry aloud), which may emphasize vocal lament or wailing, while דָּמַע gives particular attention to the act of tears falling. English translations as 'weep' or 'shed tears' generally capture its meaning, though they may not always convey the physicality present in the Hebrew. In later Hebrew, related forms become more common, and the stem shows continuity into post-biblical usage. The sensation of 'sore' referenced in some idiomatic English renderings relates to the aftereffects of intense weeping, not to the primary meaning.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to weep; [idiom] sore, weep.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
דמע (d-m-ʿ) — shedding tears, weeping, tear-flow
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1830-02 |
וְ/דָמֹ֨עַ | vedamoa | HC/Vqa |
and-tears | and to weep | 1 |
H1830-01 |
תִּדְמַ֜ע | tidema | HVqi3fs |
will-flow | she will weep | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1830-02 |
Jeremiah 13:17 | וְ/דָמֹ֨עַ | vedamoa | HC/Vqa |
and-tears | and to weep |
H1830-01 |
Jeremiah 13:17 | תִּדְמַ֜ע | tidema | HVqi3fs |
will-flow | she will weep |