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שַׁמָּה

𐤔𐤌𐤄

shammâh

H8047 noun

SILEX Entry

Root שׁמם to be desolate, to be appalled, to be astonished

Definition

A state or condition of ruin, utter desolation, or devastation; by extension, a source or object of horror, consternation, or astonishment resulting from the observed destruction. The term encapsulates both the physical result of destruction and the emotional and psychological response it provokes in witnesses.

Semantic Range

ruin, utter desolation, devastation (of cities or land); object or source of horror, appalling spectacle, shock, consternation, astonishment (in response to devastation)

Root / Etymology

From the root שָׁמֵם (sh-m-m), which means 'to be desolate, be appalled, be stunned.' שַׁמָּה (shammâh) is a feminine noun form derived from this root, expressing the quality or state of desolation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

שַׁמָּה occurs primarily in prophetic and poetic contexts to describe cities, lands, or peoples left barren and devastated after military defeat, natural disaster, or divine judgment (e.g., Jer 25:9; Is 51:19). The term often conveys more than simple physical ruin by emphasizing the emotional shock or horror felt by onlookers ('appalment'). In post-exilic texts, it can underscore the shame or isolation resulting from devastation. Related terms from the same root include שְׁמָמָה, a more general 'waste/desolation,' though שַׁמָּה often carries a stronger connotation of horror or astonishment. English translations often render שַׁמָּה as 'desolation,' 'waste,' or 'astonishment,' yet this can understate its force as an experiential term—connoting both the bleak ruin and the sense of awful wonder it inspires. The word does not denote 'wonderful' in a positive sense but rather in the sense of 'wondrously appalling.' Usage is prominent in exilic and prophetic literature, reflecting the traumatic realities of conquest and exile for ancient Israelites.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from שָׁמֵם; ruin; by implication, consternation; astonishment, desolate(-ion), waste, wonderful thing.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שׁמם (sh-m-m) — to be desolate, to be appalled, to be astonished

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4923 מְשַׁמָּה to desolations
H8049 שַׁמְהוּת Shamhuth
H8054 שַׁמּוֹת Shammoth
H8060 שַׁמַּי Shammay
H8064 שָׁמַיִם in the lofty-heights

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H8047-01 לְ/שַׁמָּ֔ה leshamah HR/Ncfsa a desolation for utter desolation 30
H8047-03 שַׁמָּ֑ה shamah HNcfsa A horrible thing to that place 5
H8047-05 וּ/לְ/שַׁמָּה֙ uleshamah HC/R/Ncfsa and for an astonishment and for desolation 3
H8047-02 נָשַׁ֣מָּה nashamah HVNp3fs was-desolate she has become desolate 1
H8047-04 שַׁמּ֣וֹת shamot HNcfpa desolations utter desolations 1

Occurrences in Scripture

40 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H8047-01 Deuteronomy 28:37 לְ/שַׁמָּ֔ה leshamah HR/Ncfsa a horror for utter desolation
H8047-01 2 Kings 22:19 לְ/שַׁמָּה֙ leshamah HR/Ncfsa a desolation for utter desolation
H8047-01 Isaiah 5:9 לְ/שַׁמָּ֣ה leshamah HR/Ncfsa for-desolation for utter desolation
H8047-01 Isaiah 13:9 לְ/שַׁמָּ֔ה leshamah HR/Ncfsa a-desolation for utter desolation
H8047-03 Isaiah 24:12 שַׁמָּ֑ה shamah HNcfsa desolation to that place
H8047-01 Jeremiah 2:15 לְ/שַׁמָּ֔ה leshamah HR/Ncfsa a desolation for utter desolation
H8047-01 Jeremiah 4:7 לְ/שַׁמָּ֔ה leshamah HR/Ncfsa a waste for utter desolation
H8047-03 Jeremiah 5:30 שַׁמָּה֙ shamah HNcfsa A horrible thing to that place
H8047-03 Jeremiah 8:21 שַׁמָּ֖ה shamah HNcfsa dismay to that place
H8047-01 Jeremiah 18:16 לְ/שַׁמָּ֖ה leshamah HR/Ncfsa a desolation for utter desolation
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