The Hebrew word Hămôwnâh, represented by H1997, is a proper name meaning multitude. Derived as the feminine form of הָמוֹן (hamon), it appears just 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible, signifying its highly specific use as a place name.
The single appearance of H1997 is in Ezekiel 39:16, where it is designated as the name for a city. The passage states, "And also the name of the city shall be Hamonah." This naming occurs in the context of a prophecy detailing the aftermath of a great battle, where the land must be cleansed. The name itself, meaning "multitude," serves as a memorial to the vast army defeated and buried there.
Several related words from its biblical context illuminate the meaning of Hămôwnâh:
- H5892 ʻîyr (city): This is the object being named Hamonah. The word is defined as "a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch)." Hamonah is specifically identified as a city, establishing it as a fixed location and a landmark Ezekiel 39:16.
- H776 ʼerets (land): The act of naming the city Hamonah is directly linked to the cleansing of the land Ezekiel 39:16. This word for land can refer to a specific country or the earth at large, which God promises to heal and restore for His people 2 Chronicles 7:14.
- H8034 shêm (name): The verse explicitly states "the name of the city shall be Hamonah." A name serves as a "mark or memorial of individuality," carrying implications of character and renown Zephaniah 3:19. The name Hamonah thus serves as a permanent memorial.
The theological significance of H1997 is rooted in its singular, powerful context.
- Memorial of Divine Judgment: The name Hamonah ("multitude") permanently marks the location where God's judgment was executed upon a massive enemy force. It serves as a lasting reminder of divine power over opposition.
- Symbol of Cleansing: The naming of the city is part of the process to "cleanse the land" Ezekiel 39:16. This connects the name to a theme of purification and restoration, where a place of death and defilement is redefined through a divinely appointed name.
- Prophetic Declaration: By naming a city H5892, the prophecy establishes a concrete, geographical testimony to a spiritual event. The name itself becomes a declaration of what God has done in that place.
In summary, H1997 Hămôwnâh is a unique biblical word used once to name a city. Its meaning, "multitude," is not abstract but is directly tied to the historical and prophetic event of God's victory over a vast army. The name transforms a burial ground into a monument, forever marking the land with a memorial of divine judgment and subsequent cleansing.
TRV