שְׁמַם
𐤔𐤌𐤌
shᵉmam
H8075 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To be desolated, devastated, or appalled; to become astonished or stunned, particularly by overwhelming shock, fear, or horror. In context, used both of places laid waste (physical devastation) and persons rendered desolate, stupefied, or appalled (psychologically or emotionally stunned), frequently by disastrous or ruinous events.
Semantic Range
to be devastated, to be desolate, to be appalled, to be astonished, to be stupefied, to be deserted, to lie waste
Root / Etymology
Root: שׁמם (sh-m-m). The primary root meaning is 'to be deserted, desolated, astonished.' The Aramaic form שְׁמַם (shᵉmam) reflects a cognate development, closely paralleling the Hebrew verb שָׁמֵם, and functions as a stative verb denoting states or experiences of devastation or astonishment.
Historical & Contextual Notes
This Aramaic verb occurs in post-exilic biblical texts, especially those reflecting the linguistic environment of the Persian period, when Aramaic was a language of administration and daily life alongside Hebrew. The verb retains the same semantic field as its Hebrew counterpart, but tends to appear in contexts describing the effects of judgment, disaster, or overwhelming events on cities or individuals. Unlike more generic words for destruction, שְׁמַם connotes a particular state resulting from such events: an emptiness, lifelessness, or profound shock. In passages relating to the devastation of Jerusalem or the Temple (e.g., Daniel and Ezra), the term is used to evoke not merely physical ruin but the psychological response of awe or horror in witnesses. English translations such as 'devastate,' 'be appalled,' or 'be astonished' capture some of these nuances, but often flatten the emotional force or ambiguity captured by the original term. The Aramaic שְׁמַם should be distinguished from other roots such as חרב (to dry up, lay waste), which focuses more narrowly on destruction, whereas שְׁמַם emphasizes both result (desolation/desertion) and the emotional/psychological effect (astonishment, dread).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to שָׁמֵם; {to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e. devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)}; be astonied.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שׁמם (sh-m-m) — desolation, devastation, astonishment, appallment
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4923 | מְשַׁמָּה | to desolations |
| H8047 | שַׁמָּה | for utter desolation |
| H8049 | שַׁמְהוּת | Shamhuth |
| H8054 | שַׁמּוֹת | Shammoth |
| H8060 | שַׁמַּי | Shammay |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8075-01 |
אֶשְׁתּוֹמַם֙ | eshetomam | AVzp3ms |
was-astonished | he was appalled | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8075-01 |
Daniel 4:16 | אֶשְׁתּוֹמַם֙ | eshetomam | AVzp3ms |
was-astonished | he was appalled |