from an unused root meaning to be dumb (compare דָּמָה); silence; figuratively, death; silence.
Transliteration:dûwmâh
Pronunciation:doo-maw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term dûwmâh (`{{H1745}}`) derives from an unused root connected to dāmâh (`{{H1820}}`), which signifies "to be silent," "to cease," or "to be cut off." The primary semantic range of dûwmâh encompasses "silence" in its literal sense, denoting an absence of sound. Figuratively, and with profound theological implications, it extends to mean "death" or the "silence of the grave." This metaphorical extension is natural, as death represents the ultimate cessation of life's activity and sound. The word encapsulates a state of utter stillness and non-existence, contrasting sharply with the vibrancy of life.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term dûwmâh (`{{H1745}}`) appears in the Hebrew Bible in two distinct contexts, illustrating both its common and proper noun usages:
1. **As a Proper Noun (Place Name):**
* **[[Isaiah 21:11]]**: "The oracle concerning Dumah. One calls to me from Seir: 'Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?'" Here, "Dumah" functions as a geographical proper noun, likely referring to a region associated with Edom (Seir). The prophetic oracle addresses this specific locale, suggesting a burden or message directed towards its inhabitants. While the name itself carries the connotation of "silence" or "stillness," in this context, it primarily identifies a place, hinting at a future state of desolation or the quietude of judgment that might befall it.
2. **As a Common Noun (Silence/Death):**
* **[[Psalm 94:17]]**: "Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence [dûwmâh]." In this poignant lament, the psalmist expresses profound gratitude for divine intervention. The "silence" here unequivocally refers to the silence of death, the grave, or the realm of the departed. The psalmist acknowledges that without God's sustaining power, his life would have ceased, and he would have descended into the quietude of non-existence. This usage perfectly aligns with the figurative definition of dûwmâh as death.
These occurrences highlight the word's dual capacity: to name a place, perhaps prophetically hinting at its fate, and to describe the profound state of cessation associated with mortality.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of dûwmâh (`{{H1745}}`) is closely linked to several other Hebrew terms and concepts:
* **dāmâh (`{{H1820}}`)**: This is the primary verbal root from which dûwmâh is derived. It means "to be silent," "to cease," "to be cut off," or "to perish." The connection underscores the inherent idea of cessation and termination.
* **dōm (`{{H1747}}`)**: Meaning "silence," often used as an imperative command, "Be silent!" or "Be still!" It shares the same core sense of quietude.
* **d'mâmâh (`{{H1827}}`)**: This word denotes a "whisper" or "still, small voice" (as in [[1 Kings 19:12]]). While not absolute silence, it represents a profound quietness, a state of minimal sound, which is a facet of the broader concept of silence.
* **Sheol/Grave**: The concept of dûwmâh as "death" or the "silence of the grave" directly relates to the biblical understanding of Sheol, the realm of the dead, often characterized by inactivity, darkness, and silence, as seen in passages like [[Psalm 6:5]] or [[Psalm 115:17]].
* **Cessation/Perishing**: The broader idea of coming to an end, whether of life, activity, or a nation, is a key conceptual link.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of dûwmâh (`{{H1745}}`) primarily resides in its figurative meaning of death and the grave, particularly as seen in [[Psalm 94:17]].
* **Human Vulnerability and Mortality**: The psalmist's near descent into dûwmâh vividly illustrates the fragility of human life. Without divine intervention, humanity is utterly vulnerable to the ultimate silence of death. It serves as a stark reminder of our finite existence and dependence on a higher power.
* **God as the Preserver of Life**: The contrast in [[Psalm 94:17]] is crucial: "Unless the LORD had been my help..." This highlights God's active role as the deliverer and preserver of life. God's presence and intervention prevent the psalmist from succumbing to the silence of death, affirming Him as the source of life, hope, and salvation. The absence of God means dûwmâh.
* **The Realm of the Dead**: Dûwmâh can be understood as a poetic descriptor for the grave or Sheol, a place of inactivity and separation from the living. From a theological perspective, it represents the ultimate state of human powerlessness and the cessation of earthly existence.
* **Judgment and Desolation**: In its usage as a proper noun in [[Isaiah 21:11]], "Dumah" can carry an implicit theological weight. Prophetic oracles often speak of nations facing divine judgment, which can lead to desolation and the "silence" of ruin, where the sounds of life and activity are replaced by emptiness.
### Summary
Dûwmâh (`{{H1745}}`) is a rare but potent Hebrew term, rooted in the concept of cessation and silence. Its primary meaning is "silence," but it powerfully extends to denote "death" or the "silence of the grave." While it appears once as a geographical proper noun (Dumah in [[Isaiah 21:11]]), its most theologically significant usage is found in [[Psalm 94:17]], where it represents the ultimate state of non-existence from which the psalmist is saved by divine help. This word underscores human mortality and vulnerability, while simultaneously exalting God as the life-giver and preserver who rescues from the clutches of dûwmâh. It serves as a stark reminder that true life and deliverance come from the active presence of the Divine, in contrast to the quietude of death and the grave.
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