The Hebrew word dimʻâh, represented by H1832, translates to weeping or tears. It appears 23 times across 22 unique verses in the Bible. This term is not just a physical description but a powerful symbol of deep sorrow, intense supplication, and the human response to suffering and loss.
In biblical narratives, H1832 often appears in moments of intense personal and national crisis. God acknowledges the tears of King Hezekiah, linking them directly to answered prayer and healing (2 Kings 20:5; Isaiah 38:5). David expresses a profound trust in God's attentiveness, asking Him to put his tears in a bottle Psalms 56:8. The word is also used metaphorically to connect suffering with future blessing, as in the promise that those who "sow in tears shall reap in joy" Psalms 126:5. It is also a key element in prophetic promises of ultimate redemption, where God Himself will "wipe away tears from off all faces" Isaiah 25:8.
Several related words deepen the understanding of sorrow and weeping:
- H1830 dâmaʻ (to weep): This primitive root is the direct verbal form of dimʻâh. It describes the action of weeping, as when Jeremiah's eye is said to "weep sore, and run down with tears" Jeremiah 13:17.
- H1058 bâkâh (to weep; generally to bemoan): This common verb for weeping often appears in parallel with dimʻâh. For instance, a grieving Jerusalem is described as one who "weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks" Lamentations 1:2.
- H1065 Bᵉkîy (a weeping): This noun is frequently paired with dimʻâh to emphasize the totality of the sorrowful act, such as when the people covered the LORD's altar "with tears, with weeping, and with crying out" Malachi 2:13.
- H585 ʼănâchâh (sighing; groaning): This term captures the audible expression of grief that accompanies tears, as seen in the psalmist's lament, "I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears" Psalms 6:6.
The theological weight of H1832 is demonstrated in its connection to divine response and future hope.
- Divine Attentiveness: Tears serve as a powerful form of non-verbal prayer that captures God's attention. God sees Hezekiah's tears 2 Kings 20:5 and David appeals to God, "hold not thy peace at my tears" Psalms 39:12, showing that they are a significant part of supplication.
- Symbol of Deep Suffering: The presence of tears quantifies immense sorrow and judgment. The psalmist describes being fed with "the bread of tears" Psalms 80:5 and having tears as his "meat day and night" Psalms 42:3, illustrating an all-consuming grief.
- Precursor to Joy and Reward: Scripture often frames tears as a temporary condition that precedes divine restoration. The promise that "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy" Psalms 126:5 establishes a direct link between present suffering and future blessing.
- Eschatological Hope: The ultimate theological promise associated with tears is their future abolition. Isaiah's prophecy that the Lord GOD "will wipe away tears from off all faces" Isaiah 25:8 provides a foundational hope for the end of all suffering.
In summary, H1832 dimʻâh transcends its simple definition of tears. It is a cornerstone of biblical lament, representing the depths of human sorrow and the earnestness of prayer. From the personal anguish of a king to the collective grief of a nation, these tears are consistently portrayed as being seen and valued by God. Ultimately, the presence of dimʻâh in scripture serves not only to depict suffering but also to point toward the profound hope of a future where God Himself will provide ultimate comfort and bring all weeping to an end.
TRV