or דֳּמִי; from דָּמָה; quiet; cutting off, rest, silence.
Transliteration:dᵉmîy
Pronunciation:dem-ee'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H1824 (דְּמִי, *dᵉmîy*) derives from the root `{{H1820}}` (דָּמָה, *dāmāh*), which carries a rich semantic range encompassing "to be silent," "to cease," "to be cut off," "to be destroyed," or "to be like." Consequently, dᵉmîy itself denotes a state of "quiet," "rest," or "silence," but with an underlying potential for "cessation" or "cutting off." It describes an absence of sound or movement, a stillness that can be either peaceful and desired, or indicative of an end, desolation, or an inability to find respite. The nuance often depends heavily on the surrounding context, oscillating between a tranquil quietude and a stark cessation of activity or existence.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of dᵉmîy in the Hebrew Bible, though relatively few, are highly significant and illustrate its diverse applications:
* **[[Psalm 22:2]]**: "My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer; by night, but I find no rest (*dᵉmîy*)." Here, dᵉmîy signifies a lack of cessation from the psalmist's anguished cries. It highlights a state of continuous, restless supplication born of deep distress and perceived divine silence.
* **[[Psalm 39:2]]**: "I was mute with silence (*dᵉmîy*), I held my peace even from good, and my sorrow was stirred." In this verse, dᵉmîy describes a deliberate, profound silence, a chosen quietude. The psalmist consciously restrains himself from speaking, even good words, perhaps out of a desire to avoid further sin or in a moment of deep contemplation and sorrow.
* **[[Isaiah 23:14]]**: "Howl, you ships of Tarshish, for your stronghold is laid waste! Be silent (*dᵉmîy*), you inhabitants of the coastland." In this prophetic judgment against Tyre, dᵉmîy is a command for the inhabitants to become silent, implying desolation and the cessation of their bustling activity and prosperity. It points to a forced quietude, an end to their former state.
* **[[Isaiah 62:6]] and [[Isaiah 62:7]]**: "You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest (*dᵉmîy*)... and give him no rest (*dᵉmîy*) until he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth." This powerful passage uses dᵉmîy twice in a negative construction, urging unceasing, persistent prayer and intercession for Jerusalem. It transforms the idea of "no rest" from a burden of suffering into a virtue of tenacious spiritual engagement.
* **[[Lamentations 2:18]]**: "Let your tears run down like a river day and night; give yourself no rest (*dᵉmîy*)." Similar to [[Psalm 22:2]], this verse depicts a continuous, unrestrained outpouring of grief and sorrow, a state where cessation from weeping is impossible due to the overwhelming pain of Jerusalem's destruction.
Across these contexts, dᵉmîy consistently points to a state of stillness or cessation, whether it is a chosen silence, a forced desolation, or a lack of cessation due to persistent suffering or fervent prayer.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field surrounding dᵉmîy includes several related Hebrew terms, each with distinct nuances:
* **`{{H1820}}` (דָּמָה, *dāmāh*)**: The verbal root of dᵉmîy, meaning "to be silent," "to cease," "to be cut off," or "to be like." This root highlights the inherent connection between silence and cessation/destruction.
* **`{{H1826}}` (דָּמַם, *dāmâm*)**: Another verb meaning "to be silent," "to cease," or "to be still." Often used to describe a cessation of noise or activity.
* **`{{H7959}}` (שָׁקַט, *shāqat*)**: "To be quiet," "to be at rest," "to be undisturbed." This term often conveys a sense of tranquility and peaceful repose, distinct from the potential for desolation in dᵉmîy.
* **`{{H7673}}` (שָׁבַת, *shābāt*)**: "To cease," "to rest." This is the root of "Sabbath" and primarily refers to cessation from work or activity, often with a positive connotation of divine command and renewal.
* **`{{H5117}}` (נוּחַ, *nûaḥ*)**: "To rest," "to settle down." A broader term for rest, often implying physical repose or a settled state.
While these words share the concept of stillness or cessation, dᵉmîy often emphasizes a more profound, sometimes absolute, quietude or an inability to achieve rest. Its connection to "cutting off" or "destruction" from its root `{{H1820}}` gives it a unique edge, suggesting a silence that can be desolate or a cessation that is final.
### Theological Significance
The theological implications of dᵉmîy are multifaceted, touching upon divine sovereignty, human suffering, and the nature of prayer:
* **Divine Judgment and Desolation:** In contexts like [[Isaiah 23:14]], dᵉmîy speaks to the silence of judgment. When God's hand brings an end to human pride or rebellion, the result is a cessation of former glory and a quietude born of desolation. This underscores God's absolute authority to bring an end to all human enterprise.
* **The Depth of Human Anguish:** The repeated use of "no rest" (dᵉmîy) in [[Psalm 22:2]] and [[Lamentations 2:18]] profoundly articulates the experience of overwhelming suffering. It is a state where the soul finds no respite from its cries or tears, highlighting the raw, unceasing pain that can afflict humanity in the face of perceived divine abandonment or profound loss.
* **The Power of Unceasing Prayer:** Perhaps the most striking theological use is in [[Isaiah 62:6-7]]. Here, "giving no rest" to oneself and to God transforms from a sign of suffering into a command for persistent, fervent intercession. This "no rest" becomes a spiritual discipline, a testament to unwavering faith and a belief in God's responsiveness to the relentless prayers of His people. It speaks to the active, engaged nature of a relationship with a covenant-keeping God.
* **Contemplation and Trust in Silence:** [[Psalm 39:2]] presents dᵉmîy as a chosen silence, a deliberate holding of peace. This can be interpreted as a posture of submission, a quiet waiting upon God, or a recognition that in some moments, human words are inadequate, and only a trusting silence before the Almighty is appropriate.
### Summary
H1824 (דְּמִי, *dᵉmîy*) is a potent Hebrew term signifying "quiet," "rest," or "silence," deeply rooted in the concept of "cessation" or "cutting off." Its biblical occurrences reveal a nuanced semantic range, from a profound, chosen quietude ([[Psalm 39:2]]) to the desolate silence of divine judgment ([[Isaiah 23:14]]). Most notably, dᵉmîy frequently appears in negative constructions, emphasizing a lack of rest or cessation, whether due to intense human suffering ([[Psalm 22:2]], [[Lamentations 2:18]]) or, remarkably, as a call to persistent, unceasing intercessory prayer for God's purposes ([[Isaiah 62:6-7]]). Theologically, dᵉmîy illuminates aspects of divine sovereignty, the depths of human anguish, and the transformative power of unwavering spiritual engagement, particularly through prayer that gives "no rest" until God's will is fully accomplished.
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