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הָמָה

𐤄𐤌𐤄

hâmâh

H1993 verb

SILEX Entry

Root המה to make a loud noise, to be in commotion, to roar, to be agitated

Definition

To roar, rumble, or make a loud, resonant noise; to be in a state of commotion, agitation, or tumult; by extension, to experience intense inner agitation or commotion. The term denotes both the audible production of sound—most often loud and vibrating, as with animals (especially lions), rushing water, or warriors—and the figurative or emotional sense of being in turmoil or uproar.

Semantic Range

to roar (as a lion), to rumble (as thunder or earthquake), to make a tumultuous noise (as a multitude or army), to be in emotional turmoil or agitation, to clamor, to be in an uproar

Root / Etymology

Root: המה. The root conveys the idea of making a loud or resonant sound, often associated with agitation or disorder. The verb derives directly from this root, embodying both audible and figurative commotion. It is related to, but distinct from, the root הום (H1949), which carries similar connotations of noise or tumult but is often associated more specifically with unrest or movement. The precise nuance between the two is contextual; המה often emphasizes the quality or resonance of the sound.

Historical & Contextual Notes

הָמָה appears across a range of biblical texts, both poetry and prose, spanning the early monarchic to post-exilic periods. It is most commonly used for roaring (of lions or the sea), rumbling (of thunder, earth, or enemy hosts), the hummed distress of crowds, or the metaphorical turmoil within a person. In prophetic and poetic passages (e.g., Psalms, Isaiah), it is used to evoke powerful imagery of nature or nations in upheaval (e.g., Isaiah 17:12 of nations 'roaring' like mighty waters). The term can describe both literal noises and metaphoric states of agitation or confusion. While English translations often standardize המה as 'roar,' 'murmur,' or 'rage,' the underlying sense can extend from animalistic sound to the agitation of peoples or spirits. In later periods, the term's use becomes more metaphorical. It is distinct from other sound-related roots such as רעש ('to quake, shake'), which usually connotes physical trembling or vibration, and הום, which can emphasize confusion or restlessness rather than resonance.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root (compare הוּם); to make a loud sound (like English 'hum'); by implication, to be in great commotion or tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor; clamorous, concourse, cry aloud, be disquieted, loud, mourn, be moved, make a noise, rage, roar, sound, be troubled, make in tumult, tumultuous, be in an uproar.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

המה (h-m-h) — loud resonance, roaring, tumult, agitation, commotion

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1174 בַּעַל הָמוֹן roaring multitude of
H1995 הָמוֹן in a roaring multitude of
H1996 הֲמוֹן גּוֹג roaring multitude of
H1998 הֶמְיָה murmuring of

Word Forms

17 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1993-17 יֶֽהֱמ֑וּ yehemu HVqi3mp they growl they roar 4
H1993-01 הָמ֤וּ hamu HVqp3cp roar they roared in tumult 4
H1993-16 יֶהֱמֶ֔ה yehemeh HVqi3ms moans he roars 4
H1993-05 הֽוֹמִיָּ֔ה homiyah HVqrfsa is boisterous roaring one 3
H1993-15 יֶהֱמָי֑וּ/ן yehemayun HVqi3mp/Sn growl they roar 3
H1993-09 תֶּהֱמִ֪י tehemi HVqi2fs are you disquieted you roar 2
H1993-03 הֹֽמֶה homeh HVqrmsa is raging roaring one 2
H1993-11 וַ/יֶּהֱמ֖וּ vayehemu HC/Vqw3mp and they roar and they roared 2
H1993-14 וְ/הָמ֥וּ vehamu HC/Vqq3cp and roared and they roared 2
H1993-12 וְ/אֶֽהֱמָיָ֑ה veehemayah HC/Vqh1cs and I moan and let me roar 1

Occurrences in Scripture

34 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1993-02 1 Kings 1:41 הוֹמָֽה homah HVqrfsa roaring roaring one
H1993-17 Isaiah 16:11 יֶֽהֱמ֑וּ yehemu HVqi3mp moan they roar
H1993-07 Isaiah 17:12 כַּ/הֲמ֥וֹת kahamot HR/Vqc like the roaring to roar
H1993-15 Isaiah 17:12 יֶהֱמָי֑וּ/ן yehemayun HVqi3mp/Sn they thunder they roar
H1993-05 Isaiah 22:2 הֽוֹמִיָּ֔ה homiyah HVqrfsa noisy roaring one
H1993-11 Isaiah 51:15 וַ/יֶּהֱמ֖וּ vayehemu HC/Vqw3mp and they roar and they roared
H1993-08 Isaiah 59:11 נֶהֱמֶ֤ה nehemeh HVqi1cp we growl we roar
H1993-03 Jeremiah 4:19 הֹֽמֶה homeh HVqrmsa moans roaring one
H1993-14 Jeremiah 5:22 וְ/הָמ֥וּ vehamu HC/Vqq3cp and-they-roar and they roared
H1993-16 Jeremiah 6:23 יֶהֱמֶ֔ה yehemeh HVqi3ms roars he roars
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