### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun הֶמְיָה (hemyâh, `{{H1998}}`) is derived from the verbal root הָמָה (hāmâh, `{{H1993}}`), which carries the core meaning of "to make a noise, roar, rage, be in a stir, or be moved." As a noun, הֶמְיָה denotes a "sound," "noise," "murmur," or "commotion." It often implies an audible manifestation of an internal state of emotion or an external activity. Unlike a general "sound" (e.g., קוֹל, `{{H6963}}`), הֶמְיָה suggests a specific type of continuous or persistent sound, often associated with distress, lamentation, or an unceasing flow.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The noun הֶמְיָה (hemyâh, `{{H1998}}`) is remarkably rare in the Hebrew Bible, appearing only once. This singular occurrence is found in the book of Lamentations:
* **[[Lamentations 3:49]]**: "My eye pours down unceasingly, without intermission." (כָּלְלָה עֵינִי וְלֹא תִדְמֶה מֵאֵין הֲמָה)
In this profound expression of grief, the prophet laments the destruction of Jerusalem and the suffering of its people. The phrase "מֵאֵין הֲמָה" (mêʾên hemyâh) is translated as "without intermission" or "without pause." Here, הֶמְיָה signifies a cessation or a break in the continuous flow. The context describes the prophet's eyes pouring down tears without any break or interruption in the weeping. The "sound" implied is the continuous, unceasing sound of lamentation and the relentless flow of tears, emphasizing the depth and persistence of the sorrow. It conveys the idea that the grief is so overwhelming and constant that it knows no relief or cessation.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary and most significant related word is the verbal root הָמָה (hāmâh, `{{H1993}}`), from which הֶמְיָה is derived. This root is frequently used to describe the roar of the sea, the sound of a multitude, or the internal groaning of a person in distress (e.g., [[Psalm 46:3]], [[Isaiah 17:12]], [[Psalm 55:17]]). The noun הֶמְיָה takes this concept of a continuous, often emotional, sound and applies it to a state of being without pause.
Other related concepts include:
* קוֹל (qôl, `{{H6963}}`): A general term for "voice" or "sound." While הֶמְיָה refers to a specific kind of continuous sound, קוֹל is broader.
* בֶּכִי (bekî, `{{H1065}}`): "Weeping" or "lamentation," the act itself, whereas הֶמְיָה in [[Lamentations 3:49]] describes the unceasing nature of that act, or the continuous sound associated with it.
* The theological concept of unending sorrow or persistent grief, often expressed through continuous lamentation.
### Theological Significance
Despite its singular occurrence, הֶמְיָה (hemyâh, `{{H1998}}`) in [[Lamentations 3:49]] carries profound theological weight. It serves as a powerful descriptor of the depth and relentless nature of the prophet's sorrow over the consequences of sin and the destruction of Jerusalem. The "uninterrupted sound" of weeping highlights a suffering so intense that it transcends momentary pain and becomes a continuous, agonizing reality.
This word underscores:
1. **The Reality of Profound Grief**: It articulates a level of human suffering that knows no pause, a relentless outpouring of sorrow that becomes a defining characteristic of existence in the face of overwhelming loss.
2. **The Persistence of Lament**: It speaks to the ongoing cry of God's people in distress, a continuous sound of lament that rises to the heavens, reflecting a deep spiritual anguish that seeks divine intervention or comfort.
3. **The Consequence of Sin**: In the context of Lamentations, the unending grief is a direct consequence of Israel's rebellion against God, serving as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of disobedience. The continuous sound of weeping is a tangible manifestation of a broken covenant and a shattered people.
### Summary
הֶמְיָה (hemyâh, `{{H1998}}`) is a rare Hebrew noun derived from הָמָה (hāmâh, `{{H1993}}`), meaning "to make a noise or stir." Its core meaning is "sound," "noise," or "commotion," often implying a continuous or persistent auditory manifestation. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in [[Lamentations 3:49]], within the phrase "בְּלִי הֲמָה" (bĕlî hemyâh), which is translated as "without intermission" or "without pause." In this context, הֶמְיָה describes the continuous, unceasing flow of tears and the accompanying sound of lament, powerfully emphasizing the profound and relentless nature of the prophet's grief over the destruction of Jerusalem. Theologically, this unique occurrence underscores the depth of human suffering, the persistence of lament in the face of profound loss, and the devastating consequences of sin that can lead to an unending sorrow.
TRV