הֲמֻלָּה
𐤄𐤌𐤋𐤄
hămullâh
H1999 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A loud sound or tumult characterized by a roaring or noisy commotion; specifically denotes uproar, tumult, or a resounding sound (especially of noise produced by a crowd, storm, or disaster). In some contexts, may convey the idea of noisy speech or tumultuous proclamation.
Semantic Range
uproar, roaring sound, tumult, noisy commotion, tumultuous crowd, tumultuous speech, noisy proclamation
Root / Etymology
Derived from the Hebrew root המל (h-m-l), whose core meaning is 'to make noise, to rush, to roar.' The form הֲמֻלָּה is a feminine passive participle, indicating a state or result of being made noisy or tumultuous. The root is otherwise unused in Biblical Hebrew, and attested only in derivative nouns such as הֲמֻלָּה, making the etymology relatively certain but the verbal form unattested.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term הֲמֻלָּה occurs rarely in the Hebrew Bible, with a notable occurrence in Jeremiah 11:16, referring to a roaring or tumultuous noise connected with disaster and judgment imagery. The sense is akin to other Hebrew terms indicating sound or uproar, like שָׁאוֹן (sha'on; tumult, uproar, roar) but differs in its particular nuance as a more passive or resulting state of tumult. English translations vary between 'sound,' 'tumult,' 'uproar,' or 'noise,' but each captures only part of the Hebrew sense, which combines the notion of overwhelming sound with the context of catastrophe, divine judgment, or a gathering crowd. In later Hebrew, the root is not productive, and the term is not commonly found outside Biblical usage. Unlike other words for sound in Hebrew, הֲמֻלָּה stresses the outcome or effect of commotion (the state of confusion or clamorous noise created by rushing, natural forces, or agitated masses). Its use reflects both natural and social contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or (too fully) הֲמוּלָּה; (Jeremiah 11:16), feminine passive participle of an unused root meaning to rush (as rain with a windy roar); a sound; speech, tumult.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
המל (h-m-l) — to make noise, to rush, to roar
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1999-01 |
הֲמוּלָּ֣ה | hamulah | HNcfsa |
of tumult | roaring tumult | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1999-01 |
Jeremiah 11:16 | הֲמוּלָּ֣ה | hamulah | HNcfsa |
of tumult | roaring tumult |
H1999-01 |
Ezekiel 1:24 | הֲמֻלָּ֖ה | hamulah | HNcfsa |
of tumult | roaring tumult |