from דָּמָה; desolation; concretely, desolate; destroy.
Transliteration:dummâh
Pronunciation:doom-maw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term דֻּמָּה (dummâh, `{{H1822}}`) is derived from the root דָּמָה (dāmâh, `{{H1820}}`). While the root דָּמָה primarily signifies "to be like" or "to resemble," it also carries a crucial secondary meaning of "to be silent," "to cease," "to be cut off," or "to be ruined." This duality is vital for understanding דֻּמָּה. As a noun or an intensive verbal form, דֻּמָּה moves beyond mere resemblance to denote a state of complete cessation, ruin, or desolation. It describes the outcome of an action that brings something to an end, often through destruction. The semantic range thus encompasses "desolation," "ruin," "destruction," and "being utterly cut off" or "silenced" in a destructive sense. It implies a state of being made desolate or destroyed, often with a sense of finality or severe judgment.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term דֻּמָּה (dummâh, `{{H1822}}`) appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, but its occurrences are highly significant, consistently appearing in contexts of divine judgment and destruction.
* **[[Lamentations 2:5]]**: "The Lord has become like an enemy; he has swallowed up Israel; he has swallowed up all its palaces; he has laid in ruins (דֻּמָּה) its strongholds; and he has multiplied in the daughter of Judah mourning and lamentation." Here, דֻּמָּה functions as a verb, describing God's action of "laying in ruins" or "desolating" the strongholds of Judah. The context is the devastating destruction of Jerusalem by divine hand, emphasizing the complete ruin brought upon the city.
* **[[Hosea 4:5]]**: "So you shall stumble by day; the prophet also shall stumble with you by night; and I will destroy (דֻּמָּה) your mother." In this prophetic oracle against Israel, דֻּמָּה again functions as a verb, expressing God's intention to "destroy" or "bring to ruin" the "mother," which likely refers to the nation of Israel as a whole or its spiritual foundation. The context is judgment for Israel's spiritual harlotry and rejection of knowledge.
* **[[Jeremiah 48:2]]**: "No longer will there be praise for Moab; in Heshbon they plan evil against her: 'Come, let us cut her off (דֻּמָּה) from being a nation!'" This verse speaks of the impending judgment upon Moab. Here, דֻּמָּה is used in a jussive sense, conveying the intent to "cut off" or "silence/destroy" Moab's national existence, implying its complete cessation as a distinct entity. The focus is on the destruction of national identity and praise.
Across these occurrences, דֻּמָּה consistently denotes a severe and often complete act of bringing something to an end, whether it be physical structures, a national entity, or a people, always within the framework of divine or human judgment leading to ruin.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for דֻּמָּה (dummâh, `{{H1822}}`) is its root, דָּמָה (dāmâh, `{{H1820}}`). This root's dual meaning—"to be like/resemble" and "to be silent/cease/be ruined"—is crucial. While דֻּמָּה emphasizes the destructive aspect of the latter meaning, other derivatives from this root also highlight cessation or stillness:
* דָּמַם (dāmām, `{{H1826}}`): "to be silent," "to be still," "to cease." This word often describes the stillness of death or the cessation of activity due to divine intervention or judgment (e.g., the stillness of the grave, or the silencing of a nation). This connects to דֻּמָּה as the *result* of being silenced or brought to a standstill.
* דָּמַע (dāmaʿ, `{{H1832}}`): "to weep." While seemingly unrelated, some scholars suggest a connection to the stillness or cessation of speech due to overwhelming emotion, or the "likeness" of tears flowing.
Thematically, דֻּמָּה aligns with other Hebrew terms that describe states of desolation and ruin:
* חָרְבָּה (ḥorbah, `{{H2721}}`): "desolation," "ruin," often used for abandoned places.
* שָׁמֵם (šāmēm, `{{H7722}}`): "to be desolate," "to be appalled," "to be laid waste." This verb emphasizes the shocking and awe-inspiring nature of desolation.
* יָשַׁם (yāšam, `{{H3409}}`): "to be desolate," "to be laid waste."
These related terms collectively paint a picture of utter devastation, often as a consequence of divine judgment, where life, activity, and order cease, leaving behind silence and ruin.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of דֻּמָּה (dummâh, `{{H1822}}`) lies primarily in its portrayal of divine judgment and its devastating consequences. Its usage in prophetic books like Lamentations, Hosea, and Jeremiah underscores God's righteous wrath against sin and rebellion.
1. **Divine Sovereignty and Justice**: The word highlights God's absolute power to bring about the destruction and desolation of nations, cities, and individuals. It serves as a stark reminder that God's justice will ultimately prevail, and sin will not go unpunished. The "silence" inherent in the root suggests the cessation of praise, activity, or even life itself, demonstrating God's capacity to silence those who defy Him.
2. **Consequences of Sin**: The contexts in which דֻּמָּה appears consistently link it to the severe repercussions of idolatry, unfaithfulness, and moral corruption. The desolation described is not arbitrary but a direct result of Israel's and other nations' turning away from God.
3. **Finality of Judgment**: While God is merciful, דֻּמָּה emphasizes the often irreversible and complete nature of certain judgments. It speaks to the utter ruin and cessation of existence for the entity in question, whether it's the physical destruction of Jerusalem's strongholds or the cutting off of a nation's identity.
4. **Sorrow and Lament**: In Lamentations, the use of דֻּמָּה evokes deep sorrow and lament over the desolation brought by God's hand. It acknowledges the painful reality of judgment, even as it affirms God's justice.
In summary, דֻּמָּה serves as a powerful theological term that articulates the severe, destructive, and often final consequences of divine judgment against sin, affirming God's justice and sovereignty over all creation.
### Summary
The Hebrew word דֻּמָּה (dummâh, `{{H1822}}`) denotes a state of utter desolation, ruin, or destruction. Derived from a root meaning "to be silent," "to cease," or "to be ruined," it conveys the complete cessation of something, often through violent means. Its limited but impactful occurrences in the biblical text, particularly in [[Lamentations 2:5]], [[Hosea 4:5]], and [[Jeremiah 48:2]], consistently depict the severe consequences of divine judgment. Whether describing the physical destruction of strongholds, the national annihilation of a people, or the spiritual ruin of a nation, דֻּמָּה underscores God's righteous justice and His sovereign power to bring about devastating consequences for sin. It signifies the silencing and ending of what once was, serving as a potent reminder of the gravity of rebellion against God and the finality of His judgments.
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