תָּמַהּ
𐤕𐤌𐤄
tâmahh
H8539 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To be astounded, greatly surprised, or bewildered; denotes an emotional and cognitive reaction of astonishment, wonder, or perplexity arising from encountering something unexpected or inexplicable. The verb is typically used to describe a sense of profound surprise or confusion, often producing silence or a suspension of normal activity due to the overwhelming nature of the experience or sight.
Semantic Range
to be stunned, to marvel, to be bewildered, to be astonished, to wonder, to be amazed, to react with silent disbelief or consternation
Root / Etymology
From the triliteral root תמה, which is associated with the idea of bewilderment or astonishment. The root conveys the sense of wonder or amazement, especially at something difficult to understand or comprehend. The formation is a standard qal verb stem, reflecting a stative or intransitive sense.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical usage, תָּמַהּ most commonly appears in poetic or elevated narrative contexts to describe intense human emotion in response to extraordinary events, whether of joy, fear, or incomprehension. The term is employed both for reactions to divine acts (such as wonders performed by YHWH or unexpected reversals) and to inexplicable human actions or overwhelming circumstances. While the core meaning persists throughout the biblical period, later post-biblical Hebrew shifts toward more generalized wonder or amazement, with decreasing frequency. The verb lacks the nuance of terror or dread found in related roots (cf. תָּמַהּ vs. שָׁמֵם, 'to be desolated, appalled'). Standard English translations such as 'marvel,' 'wonder,' or 'be astonished' often capture the emotional component but may understate the cognitive perplexity intrinsic to the Hebrew term, especially in earlier texts. No direct connection should be made to later Judaic notions of 'wonder-working' or miracles; the sense here is experiential and psychological rather than linked to formalized miracle language.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to be in consternation; be amazed, be astonished, marvel(-lously), wonder.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
תמה (t-m-h) — to be astonished, to be amazed, to be perplexed
Word Forms
8 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8539-08 |
יִתְמָ֔הוּ | yitemahu | HVqi3mp |
they shall be amazed | they will be astonished | 2 |
H8539-03 |
תִּתְמַ֖הּ | titemah | HVqj2ms |
may you be astonished | 1 | |
H8539-06 |
וְ/הִֽתַּמְּה֖וּ | vehitamehu | HC/Vtv2mp |
and be astounded | be utterly astonished | 1 |
H8539-07 |
וְ֝/יִתְמְה֗וּ | veyitemehu | HC/Vqi3mp |
and are astounded | and they will be astonished | 1 |
H8539-02 |
תְּמָ֑הוּ | temahu | HVqv2mp |
be amazed | Be astounded! | 1 |
H8539-01 |
תָּמָ֑הוּ | tamahu | HVqp3cp |
they were astonished | they were astonished | 1 |
H8539-04 |
וּ/תְמָ֔הוּ | utemahu | HC/Vqv2mp |
and-be-amazed | and be astonished | 1 |
H8539-05 |
וַ/יִּתְמְה֥וּ | vayitemehu | HC/Vqw3mp |
marveled | and they were astonished | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
9 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8539-05 |
Genesis 43:33 | וַ/יִּתְמְה֥וּ | vayitemehu | HC/Vqw3mp |
marveled | and they were astonished |
H8539-08 |
Isaiah 13:8 | יִתְמָ֔הוּ | yitemahu | HVqi3mp |
they shall be amazed | they will be astonished |
H8539-04 |
Isaiah 29:9 | וּ/תְמָ֔הוּ | utemahu | HC/Vqv2mp |
and-be-amazed | and be astonished |
H8539-08 |
Jeremiah 4:9 | יִתְמָֽהוּ | yitemahu | HVqi3mp |
will be astounded | they will be astonished |
H8539-06 |
Habakkuk 1:5 | וְ/הִֽתַּמְּה֖וּ | vehitamehu | HC/Vtv2mp |
and be astounded | be utterly astonished |
H8539-02 |
Habakkuk 1:5 | תְּמָ֑הוּ | temahu | HVqv2mp |
be amazed | Be astounded! |
H8539-01 |
Psalms 48:6 | תָּמָ֑הוּ | tamahu | HVqp3cp |
they were astonished | they were astonished |
H8539-07 |
Job 26:11 | וְ֝/יִתְמְה֗וּ | veyitemehu | HC/Vqi3mp |
and are astounded | and they will be astonished |
H8539-03 |
Ecclesiastes 5:7 | תִּתְמַ֖הּ | titemah | HVqj2ms |
may you be astonished |