or (too fully) הֲמוּלָּה; (Jeremiah 11:16), feminine passive participle of an unused root meaning to rush (as rain with a windy roar); a sound; speech, tumult.
Transliteration:hămullâh
Pronunciation:ham-ool-law'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term hămullâh (`{{H1999}}`) is a feminine passive participle derived from an unused root. This root is understood to convey the sense of "to rush," specifically likened to the forceful sound of rain accompanied by a windy roar. Consequently, the core meaning of hămullâh encompasses "a sound," "speech," and "tumult." The underlying imagery suggests a powerful, perhaps overwhelming, and noisy commotion, carrying connotations of a forceful, natural phenomenon. Its semantic range thus points to a significant, impactful auditory experience rather than a gentle or quiet one.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word hămullâh (`{{H1999}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in [[Jeremiah 11:16]]. The full phrase is הֲמֻלָּה גְדֹלָה (hămullâh gĕdōlâ), meaning "a great roar" or "a great tumult." In this passage, the prophet Jeremiah conveys a message of divine judgment against Judah (Israel), likening the nation to a "flourishing olive tree, fair with beautiful fruit." However, due to their covenant unfaithfulness, the LORD declares, "With a great roar he has set it on fire, and its branches are consumed." The "great roar" is directly attributed to the LORD's action, signifying the overwhelming and devastating nature of His judgment. It is not a silent or subtle act, but one accompanied by a powerful, terrifying sound, akin to the destructive force of a raging fire or a violent storm. The context underscores the severity and finality of God's righteous wrath.
### Related Words & Concepts
While hămullâh (`{{H1999}}`) stems from an unused root, its semantic domain of "roar," "sound," and "tumult" connects it to several other significant Hebrew terms. The verb hâmâh (`{{H1995}}`), meaning "to make a noise, roar, be in a commotion," shares a similar phonetic and semantic resonance, often describing the roaring of the sea, the commotion of a crowd, or even the groaning of the heart. Other related concepts include qôl (`{{H6963}}`), the general term for "voice" or "sound," which can range from a whisper to a thunderous noise; sha'on (`{{H7581}}`), referring to a "din," "uproar," or "tumult," often associated with chaotic noise or the clamor of war; and ra'am (`{{H7494}}`), "to thunder" or "roar," frequently used in contexts of divine power and judgment, as when God thunders from heaven. The imagery of a "roar" or "tumult" in the Bible frequently accompanies manifestations of divine power, judgment, or significant cosmic events, aligning with the single usage of hămullâh.
### Theological Significance
The singular occurrence of hămullâh (`{{H1999}}`) in [[Jeremiah 11:16]] is profoundly significant. The "great roar" is not merely background noise; it is an active expression of the LORD's judgment. It signifies the overwhelming and terrifying power with which God executes His decrees. The imagery of an olive tree, a symbol of Israel's covenant blessings and fruitfulness, being consumed by fire with a divine "roar" underscores the dramatic and irreversible consequences of disobedience. This "roar" serves as an auditory manifestation of God's wrath, a declaration of His sovereignty and justice. It emphasizes that divine judgment is not a hidden or quiet process, but one that is powerfully proclaimed and undeniably experienced. The term thus contributes to the biblical portrayal of God as a mighty and just judge, whose actions are accompanied by awe-inspiring, even terrifying, demonstrations of His power.
### Summary
hămullâh (`{{H1999}}`) is a unique Hebrew term denoting a powerful, roaring sound or tumult, derived from an unused root suggestive of the forceful rush of windy rain. Its sole appearance in [[Jeremiah 11:16]] vividly describes the "great roar" with which the LORD sets Israel, symbolized as a flourishing olive tree, ablaze in judgment. This term underscores the overwhelming and destructive nature of divine wrath, portraying God's judgment not as a silent act but as a powerfully declared and audibly manifest event. It connects to broader biblical themes of God's manifest power and justice, often accompanied by sounds of thunder, tumult, or roaring, signifying His sovereign intervention in human history.
TRV