The Hebrew word dâmaʻ, represented by H1830, is a primitive root meaning to weep. Although it appears only 2 times in a single biblical verse, its specific usage provides a powerful image of intense sorrow. Its idiomatic use, "weep sore," conveys a depth of emotion that goes beyond simple crying.
The sole appearance of H1830 is in Jeremiah 13:17, where the prophet delivers a warning. If the people refuse to hear H8085 God's message due to their pride, the prophet declares, "mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive." In this context, the word is repeated for emphasis, signifying a profound and overwhelming grief in response to the people's disobedience and the resulting judgment.
Several related words help illuminate the context and meaning of H1830:
- H1058 bâkâh (to weep; generally to bemoan): This is a more common word for weeping, used in the same verse to describe the sorrow of the prophet's soul. It is often a call to mourning, as when the priests are told to weep between the porch and the altar Joel 2:17.
- H1832 dimʻâh (weeping; tears): This is the noun form, representing the physical product of weeping. The eye that weeps sore in Jeremiah 13:17 is one that will "run down with tears." The word also appears in promises of comfort, such as God wiping away tears from all faces Isaiah 25:8.
- H8085 shâmaʻ (to hear intelligently): The refusal to hear is the direct cause of the sorrow expressed by H1830 in its only scriptural appearance Jeremiah 13:17. This word connects listening with obedience, as seen in the call to hearken diligently to God's voice Deuteronomy 28:1.
The theological significance of H1830 is concentrated in its single, poignant use.
- Sorrow over Disobedience: The word is exclusively linked to the grief that follows a refusal to hear H8085 God. The weeping is a reaction to the people's pride and the resulting divine judgment Jeremiah 13:17.
- Prophetic Grief: The sorrow is expressed through the prophet's own eye, illustrating the personal anguish involved in delivering a message of impending doom. The weeping "in secret places" highlights a sincere, private lament for the people, not a public display.
- Intensity of Emotion: The repetition of H1830 to form the idiom "weep sore" emphasizes an uncontrollable and deep-seated sorrow. It is not just sadness, but a painful lament over the tragic consequences of sin.
In summary, H1830 dâmaʻ is a rare but highly specific term for weeping. Its singular context in Jeremiah 13:17 defines it as an expression of intense, personal sorrow over the consequences of disobedience. It powerfully connects the failure to hear H8085 God's word with the inevitable outcome of profound grief and tears H1832, making its lone appearance a memorable illustration of prophetic lament.
TRV