### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
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.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
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.
### Related Words & Concepts
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]].
### Theological Significance
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.
### Summary
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