### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Dûwmâh**, represented by `{{H1746}}`, refers to a tribe and region of Arabia. It appears **4 times** across **4 unique verses** in the Bible. The name is used to identify both a person, who is the progenitor of a tribe, and the territory associated with this group.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H1746}}` is used in several distinct contexts. Genealogically, Dumah is listed as one of the sons of Ishmael, establishing him as the head of an Arabian tribe ([[Genesis 25:14]]; [[1 Chronicles 1:30]]). Geographically, it is mentioned as the name of a city in the territory of Judah [[Joshua 15:52]]. It also serves as the subject of a prophecy in Isaiah, where the "burden{H4853} of **Dumah**{H1746}" is declared, followed by a cry from Seir asking a watchman about the "night{H3915}" [[Isaiah 21:11]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words from its most descriptive context in [[Isaiah 21:11]] help to clarify its meaning:
* `{{H4853}}` **massâʼ** (burden): This word, meaning "an utterance, chiefly a doom," introduces the prophecy concerning **Dumah**. It sets a tone of judgment or a weighty message about the region's future [[Isaiah 21:11]].
* `{{H8104}}` **shâmar** (watchman): Defined as "to hedge about... i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to," this root appears as "watchman" in the prophetic cry. The watchman is called upon to give an answer regarding **Dumah**'s fate [[Isaiah 21:11]].
* `{{H3915}}` **layil** (night): This term is central to the question asked in the prophecy: "what of the **night**?" [[Isaiah 21:11]]. Its definition includes the figurative meaning of "adversity," linking the oracle of **Dumah** to a period of distress or uncertainty.
### Theological Significance
The significance of `{{H1746}}` is tied to its role in marking identity and destiny in the Old Testament.
* **Genealogical Marker:** As a son of Ishmael, **Dumah**'s name helps to map out the tribal landscape of the ancient Near East, fulfilling the biblical pattern of tracing nations to their ancestors [[Genesis 25:14]].
* **Geographical Identity:** The name is tied to physical locations, including a city in Judah, demonstrating how a tribal name could also designate a specific place [[Joshua 15:52]].
* **Prophetic Subject:** In Isaiah, **Dumah** becomes more than a place; it is the subject of a divine burden. The desperate cry to the watchman makes **Dumah** a symbol of a people facing a period of trial and seeking clarity about their future [[Isaiah 21:11]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H1746}}` functions in scripture as a multifaceted identifier. It is a personal name that establishes a tribal lineage, a place name that marks territory, and the subject of a divine oracle. Through its few appearances, **Dûwmâh** illustrates how a single name can carry genealogical, geographical, and prophetic weight within the biblical record.
TRV