יְהֹוָה שָׁמָּה
𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 𐤔𐤌𐤄
Yahweh Shammah
H3074
SILEX Entry
Definition
A symbolic name meaning 'YHWH is there' or 'YHWH is present', designating the future status of Jerusalem (or the city in Ezekiel’s vision) as a place where the God of Israel dwells. The phrase combines the personal name of the God of Israel (YHWH) with an indication of location ('there'), expressing the theological message of divine presence and accessibility. The expression functions as either a statement ('YHWH is there') or an epithet of the envisioned city, summarizing its essential characteristic: the indwelling presence of YHWH.
Semantic Range
(divine) presence in a specific location, designation of sacred space, affirmation of the deity's dwelling, symbolic title for Jerusalem
Root / Etymology
Formed from the theonym יְהֹוָה (YHWH) and the adverb שָׁם (there), with the directive shâmmâh indicating motion or position toward 'there.' The construction is a compositional phrase rather than a distinct etymological form—i.e., it is not a simplex noun but a title combining two core lexemes: the tetragrammaton (from the root היה, 'to be, become') and a demonstrative location word (root שם, 'there').
Historical & Contextual Notes
יְהֹוָה שָׁמָּה appears only in Ezekiel 48:35 as the concluding statement of the detailed vision of a restored Jerusalem, where it is proclaimed as the name of the city. The phrase marks a theological development highlighting the restoration of divine presence lost during the destruction of the First Temple and the exile. Unlike titles such as יְהֹוָה צִדְקֵנוּ ('YHWH is our righteousness'), this name is not attested as an ongoing toponym in later periods but remains unique to Ezekiel’s visionary context. English translations such as 'the LORD is there' or 'Jehovah-shammah' reflect later translation traditions. 'Jehovah' is based on early modern misreading of the tetragrammaton and is not reflective of original Israelite pronunciation or usage. The phrase encapsulates the hope for post-exilic re-establishment of the sacred center as the focal point of YHWH’s presence, in contrast to the earlier sense of removal or abandonment of the city.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from יְהֹוָה and שָׁם with directive enclitic; Jehovah (is) thither; Jehovah-Shammah, a symbolic title of Jerusalem; Jehovahshammah.
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Occurrences in Scripture
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