נוּמָה
𐤍𐤅𐤌𐤄
nûwmâh
H5124 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A state or condition of drowsiness or sleepiness; a heaviness or languor that may refer to literal sleepiness, but often with a connotation of lethargy, inactivity, or inattention. Used both for physical drowsiness and, in figurative contexts, for a spiritual or moral lack of vigilance.
Semantic Range
sleepiness, drowsiness, slumber (as a noun), physical lethargy, figurative inattentiveness or laziness
Root / Etymology
From the root נום (nun-vav-mem), which means 'to slumber' or 'to sleep.' נוּמָה is a nominal form derived from this root, expressing the state or quality of slumber or drowsiness.
Historical & Contextual Notes
נוּמָה appears rarely in the Hebrew Bible and is associated with contexts of warning against inattention or laziness (Proverbs 19:15). The term often carries a negative connotation, as opposed to שֵׁנָה (shenah), which simply means 'sleep' and is more neutral in tone. By contrast, נוּמָה often implies moral or practical deficiency, culpable delay, or a spiritual state of inattentiveness. In translational tradition, especially in earlier English versions, meanings such as 'drowsiness' or 'slumber' are used, but these do not always capture the warning or peril implicit in the context. The noun is related in sense to notions of sluggishness or torpor in other ancient Near Eastern literature, where such states are often symbols of neglect or danger. No significant shift in meaning between periods attested; the term remains rare and its attestations maintain the same general sense.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from נוּם; sleepiness; drowsiness.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נום (n-w-m) — to slumber, to sleep, to be drowsy
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3241 | יָנִים | and Sleep-Place |
| H5123 | נוּם | to slumber |
| H8572 | תְּנוּמָה | slumberings |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5124-01 |
נוּמָֽה | numah | HNcfsa |
drowsiness | slumbering drowsiness | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5124-01 |
Proverbs 23:21 | נוּמָֽה | numah | HNcfsa |
drowsiness | slumbering drowsiness |