### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word דּוּמִיָּה (dûwmîyâh, `{{H1747}}`) is derived from the root דָּמָה (dâmâh, `{{H1826}}`), which carries the primary sense of "to be silent," "to cease," or "to be cut off." From this foundational meaning, dûwmîyâh expands to denote "stillness" or "silence." Its semantic range extends to include an adverbial sense of "silently," and more abstractly, "quiet" or "trust." The connection between "silence" and "trust" is particularly insightful, suggesting that a quiet, expectant waiting is an act of faith. The word encapsulates notions of cessation, quietude, and a profound, often reverent, stillness.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
דּוּמִיָּה (dûwmîyâh, `{{H1747}}`) appears a limited number of times in the Hebrew Bible, but each instance is rich with meaning:
* **[[Psalm 62:1]] (MT 62:2):** "My soul waits in silence for God alone; from him comes my salvation." Here, dûwmîyâh is translated as "silence" or "stillness." It describes an active, patient, and trusting waiting upon God. It is not an empty silence, but one filled with expectation and reliance on divine deliverance.
* **[[Psalm 65:1]] (MT 65:2):** "Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion, and to you shall vows be performed." The translation of dûwmîyâh in this verse is notably debated. While some versions render it as "praise is due" (NIV, ESV), others suggest "silence is praise to thee" (KJV margin, some commentaries). This latter interpretation posits that in the presence of God's majesty, human words may fall short, and a profound, reverent silence becomes the ultimate expression of worship and adoration.
* **[[Lamentations 2:10]]:** "The elders of the daughter of Zion sit on the ground in silence; they have cast up dust on their heads and put on sackcloth; the virgins of Jerusalem have bowed their heads to the ground." In this context of deep national mourning and desolation, dûwmîyâh signifies the silence of profound grief, shock, or despair. It is a stillness born of overwhelming sorrow, where words fail.
* **[[Lamentations 3:26]]:** "It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD." Here, dûwmîyâh is rendered as "quietly wait" or "wait in silence." Similar to [[Psalm 62:1]], it conveys the idea of patient endurance and hopeful expectation in the midst of suffering, trusting in God's eventual deliverance.
* **[[Habakkuk 2:20]]:** "But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him." This is a command for universal reverence. Dûwmîyâh here denotes a profound, awe-filled silence that acknowledges the absolute sovereignty and holiness of God. It is a call for all creation to cease its clamor and humbly submit in the divine presence.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field surrounding דּוּמִיָּה (dûwmîyâh, `{{H1747}}`) includes several related Hebrew terms and theological concepts:
* **דָּמָה (dâmâh, `{{H1826}}`):** The root verb, meaning "to be silent," "to cease," "to be cut off." This highlights the cessation of noise or activity inherent in dûwmîyâh.
* **דָּמַם (dâmâm, `{{H1827}}`):** A closely related verb meaning "to be silent," "to stand still," or "to be dumb."
* **דּוּמָה (dûmâ, `{{H1820}}`):** A noun related to the root, meaning "silence" or "stillness," and sometimes "destruction" (as a consequence of being silenced or cut off).
* **שָׁקַת (shâqath, `{{H7600}}`):** "To be quiet," "to be at rest," "to be undisturbed." This emphasizes tranquility.
* **חָשָׁה (châshâh, `{{H2825}}`):** "To be silent," "to keep still," "to be quiet."
* **Concepts:** Waiting, patience, trust, reverence, awe, submission, rest, quietude, expectation, and mourning. These concepts are frequently interwoven with the biblical usage of dûwmîyâh, illustrating its depth beyond mere audial stillness.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of דּוּמִיָּה (dûwmîyâh, `{{H1747}}`) is profound and multifaceted:
* **Trust and Patient Expectation:** Perhaps the most prominent theological theme associated with dûwmîyâh is that of quiet trust in God. In passages like [[Psalm 62:1]] and [[Lamentations 3:26]], it represents a deliberate choice to cease striving, to quiet the soul's anxieties, and to wait patiently and expectantly for the Lord's intervention. This is not a passive resignation but an active, faith-filled reliance on God's character and timing, even in the face of adversity.
* **Reverence and Awe Before God:** The command in [[Habakkuk 2:20]], "let all the earth keep silence before him," underscores God's absolute sovereignty and holiness. Dûwmîyâh here is a posture of profound reverence, acknowledging the Creator's majesty and the creature's humble place. It is a silence born of awe, recognizing that in the presence of the Almighty, human words and clamor are rendered insignificant.
* **Worship Beyond Words:** The unique interpretation of dûwmîyâh in [[Psalm 65:1]] as "silence is praise to you" offers a powerful theological insight into worship. It suggests that there are moments when God's glory is so overwhelming, His presence so profound, that human language fails to adequately express adoration. In such instances, a deep, reverent silence becomes the most fitting and eloquent form of worship, a testament to the ineffable nature of God.
* **Expression of Deep Grief:** In contexts of suffering and lament, such as [[Lamentations 2:10]], dûwmîyâh signifies the overwhelming silence of deep sorrow and despair. It portrays a state where grief is so profound that words are inadequate, and the soul is silenced by its anguish. This highlights the raw, unvarnished reality of human suffering before God.
### Summary
The Hebrew word דּוּמִיָּה (dûwmîyâh, `{{H1747}}`) is far more than a simple term for "silence." Derived from the root דָּמָה (dâmâh, `{{H1826}}`), it encompasses a rich semantic range including "stillness," "silence," "quiet," and "trust." Its biblical occurrences reveal its profound theological depth: it signifies a posture of **active, hopeful trust and patient waiting** upon God ([[Psalm 62:1]], [[Lamentations 3:26]]); it commands **reverent awe and humble submission** in the presence of the Holy One ([[Habakkuk 2:20]]); it can express the overwhelming **silence of profound grief and despair** ([[Lamentations 2:10]]); and, uniquely, it suggests that **silence itself can be a form of ultimate praise and worship** to an ineffable God ([[Psalm 65:1]]). Thus, dûwmîyâh is not merely the absence of sound, but a powerful biblical concept embodying deep spiritual states of faith, reverence, sorrow, and adoration before the living God.
TRV