← H1997 H1999 →

הֶמְיָה

𐤄𐤌𐤉𐤄

hemyâh

H1998 noun

SILEX Entry

Root המה to make noise, roar, murmur, moan

Definition

A murmuring, moaning, or roaring sound; refers to a range of indistinct or continuous noises, including the low hum or murmur of voices, noise made by crowds or animals, and at times the roaring or wailing associated with distress. The term emphasizes the auditory sensation of a collective or persistent sound rather than a distinct or articulated noise.

Semantic Range

mumuring or rumbling sound, roar of animals, distressed wailing, indistinct tumult of a crowd, noise of commotion

Root / Etymology

From the root הָמָה (hamah), meaning 'to murmur, roar, make noise.' The noun הֶמְיָה (hemyâh) is a verbal noun denoting the result or manifestation of that action—an ongoing or surrounding sound.

Historical & Contextual Notes

הֶמְיָה is attested in both poetic and narrative contexts within Biblical Hebrew, often describing natural phenomena (such as the growling of animals or the murmur of crowds) or the wailing of people in distress. The word typically indicates a lack of clarity, focusing on the continuous or enveloping nature of the sound. In Isaiah 5:30 and 13:4, for instance, the term portrays the thunderous tumult of armies or multitudes. While some English versions translate it as 'noise' or 'roar,' these renderings do not always capture the sense of indistinctness or pervasiveness that the Hebrew term conveys. In some later uses and in related passages, הֶמְיָה may particularly evoke the unsettling or sorrowful tones of lamentation or chaotic assembly, contrasting with words like רִנָּה (rinnâh, 'joyous singing') or תְּרוּעָה (teru‘ah, 'shout, blast').

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from הָמָה; sound; noise.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

המה (h-m-h) — make noise, roar, murmur, moan

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1174 בַּעַל הָמוֹן roaring multitude of
H1993 הָמָה they roared in tumult
H1995 הָמוֹן in a roaring multitude of
H1996 הֲמוֹן גּוֹג roaring multitude of

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1998-01 הֶמְיַ֣ת hemeyat HNcfsc the sound of murmuring of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1998-01 Isaiah 14:11 הֶמְיַ֣ת hemeyat HNcfsc the sound of murmuring of
← H1997 Hebrew Lexicon H1999 →