feminine from דָּמַם; quiet; calm, silence, still.
Transliteration:dᵉmâmâh
Pronunciation:dem-aw-maw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun דְּמָמָה (dᵉmâmâh - `{{H1827}}`) is a feminine form derived from the root דָּמַם (dâmam - `{{H1826}}`), which carries the primary meaning "to be silent," "to be still," "to cease," or "to be cut off." Thus, דְּמָמָה denotes a state of profound quietude, stillness, or calm. It is more than merely the absence of noise; it conveys a deep cessation of sound or motion, often implying a reverent hush, a tranquil quiet, or the cessation of tumultuous activity. Its semantic range encompasses:
* **Calmness/Tranquility:** A state of peace where agitation or disturbance has ceased.
* **Silence/Stillness:** The absence of sound or movement, often with a sense of solemnity or awe.
* **Cessation:** The stopping of a process or a powerful force.
The word points to a quiet that can be both physical (e.g., a calm sea) and spiritual (e.g., the context of divine presence).
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term דְּמָמָה (dᵉmâmâh - `{{H1827}}`) appears sparingly in the Hebrew Bible, occurring only three times, yet each instance is highly significant:
* **[[1 Kings 19:12]]**: This is arguably the most famous and theologically profound occurrence. Following a mighty wind, an earthquake, and a fire, God is not found in these powerful natural phenomena but in a "still small voice" (קול דממה דקה - *qol dᵉmâmâh daqqah*). Here, דְּמָמָה characterizes the subtle, gentle, and profoundly quiet nature of God's personal revelation to Elijah. It suggests a divine presence that requires attentiveness and quietude to perceive, contrasting sharply with overwhelming displays of power.
* **[[Job 4:16]]**: In Eliphaz's unsettling vision, he describes a spirit passing before him, causing his hair to stand on end. He then states, "It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance; a form was before my eyes; there was silence (דְּמָמָה), then I heard a voice." This context highlights דְּמָמָה as an eerie, profound silence that precedes a supernatural revelation, emphasizing the solemnity and awe-inspiring nature of the encounter. It is a quiet that is heavy with anticipation and mystery.
* **[[Psalm 107:29]]**: This verse describes God's power over creation: "He made the storm be still (דְּמָמָה), and the waves of the sea were hushed." Here, דְּמָמָה refers to the cessation of the violent tempest, bringing about a state of calm and tranquility to the raging waters. It underscores God's sovereignty and ability to command peace amidst chaos, transforming a tumultuous situation into one of stillness.
Across these contexts, דְּמָמָה consistently denotes a deep, profound quietness or stillness, often associated with divine action, revelation, or control, and frequently evoking a sense of awe or solemnity.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root verb דָּמַם (dâmam - `{{H1826}}`), from which דְּמָמָה is derived. This root verb means "to be silent, still, or cut off," and its various conjugations further illuminate the nuances of stillness, rest, or even destruction.
Other Hebrew words that convey aspects of quietness, peace, or cessation include:
* שָׁקַט (shaqat - `{{H8252}}`): "to be quiet, tranquil, at rest," often used in contexts of political peace or a land being at rest from war.
* נוּחַ (nuach - `{{H5117}}`): "to rest, settle down," implying a state of repose or cessation from labor.
* חָרַשׁ (charash - `{{H2790}}`): "to be silent, deaf, dumb," sometimes implying a deliberate silence or an inability to speak.
Conceptually, דְּמָמָה is deeply intertwined with:
* **Divine Presence:** The idea that God's most profound revelations may occur not in overwhelming power but in subtle, quiet moments.
* **Awe and Reverence:** The human response to the profound stillness, especially when it signals a supernatural encounter.
* **Sovereignty over Chaos:** God's ability to bring order and peace to tumultuous situations.
* **Spiritual Attentiveness:** The need for a posture of quietness and listening to discern God's voice or action.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of דְּמָמָה (dᵉmâmâh - `{{H1827}}`) is profound, particularly due to its usage in the Elijah narrative.
1. **God's Modus Operandi in Revelation:** The "still small voice" (קול דממה דקה) of [[1 Kings 19:12]] challenges human expectations of divine power. It teaches that God is not confined to the spectacular or the overwhelming. While He certainly manifests in mighty acts, His most intimate or profound communication may occur in a quiet, almost imperceptible manner, demanding a posture of deep attentiveness and spiritual sensitivity from His prophets and people. This emphasizes God's transcendence and His ability to reveal Himself in ways that defy human categories of power. It suggests that true spiritual discernment often requires silencing the clamor of the world and the self.
2. **Divine Sovereignty and Order:** In [[Psalm 107:29]], God's ability to command the storm into דְּמָמָה highlights His absolute sovereignty over creation. He is the one who brings order out of chaos, peace to the tumultuous, and stillness to the raging. This demonstrates His control not only over the natural world but implicitly over the chaotic circumstances of human life, offering a promise of divine intervention and peace.
3. **The Awe of Divine Encounter:** Eliphaz's experience in [[Job 4:16]] shows that דְּמָמָה can also be a prelude to a terrifying or unsettling divine encounter. This quietness is not necessarily comforting but can be laden with the weight of the divine, inducing fear and awe. It underscores that encountering the Holy often requires a profound stillness of spirit, whether in reverence or dread.
In essence, דְּמָמָה points to a divine quietness that is active, powerful, and revealing, requiring a receptive heart and a discerning spirit.
### Summary
The Hebrew word דְּמָמָה (dᵉmâmâh - `{{H1827}}`), derived from the root דָּמַם (dâmam - `{{H1826}}`), signifies a deep, profound quietness, stillness, or calm. It is more than a mere absence of sound; it represents a cessation of agitation or a state of solemn tranquility. Its limited but impactful biblical occurrences reveal its rich theological depth. In [[1 Kings 19:12]], it describes the "still small voice" through which God communicates intimately with Elijah, emphasizing God's presence in subtlety rather than just overwhelming power. In [[Job 4:16]], דְּמָמָה precedes a supernatural encounter, highlighting the awe and mystery of divine revelation. Finally, in [[Psalm 107:29]], it denotes God's sovereign ability to bring a raging storm to a complete halt, demonstrating His power over creation and His capacity to bring peace to chaos. Collectively, דְּמָמָה underscores the importance of spiritual attentiveness, God's nuanced methods of revelation, and His ultimate control over all things, inviting humanity to a posture of quiet reverence before the Divine.
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