### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **mᵉshammâh**, represented by `{{H4923}}`, describes a state of **a waste or amazement; astonishment, desolate**. Derived from the root `{{H8074}}` **shâmêm**, it appears **7 times** in **7 unique verses**. The term is used to convey intense desolation, often as a result of divine judgment, and the astonishment it causes.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the prophetic books, `{{H4923}}` is used to illustrate the consequences of sin. The Lord declares through Ezekiel that the land of Israel will be made "most **desolate**" ([[Ezekiel 33:28]], [[Ezekiel 35:3]]) because of the people's abominations [[Ezekiel 33:29]]. This desolation extends to nature, as seen in the prophecies against Moab where the waters of Nimrim "shall be **desolate**" ([[Isaiah 15:6]], [[Jeremiah 48:34]]). Beyond physical ruin, the word also signifies the reaction to God's actions, where His judgment becomes "an **astonishment** unto the nations" [[Ezekiel 5:15]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words clarify the scope of desolation and its impact:
* `{{H8074}}` **shâmêm** (make amazed, be astonied, desolate): As the root of `{{H4923}}`, this verb describes the act of causing devastation or being stunned. It is used to describe how the mountains of Israel "shall be **desolate**" [[Ezekiel 33:28]].
* `{{H8077}}` **shᵉmâmâh** (devastation, desolation): This feminine noun is often paired directly with `{{H4923}}` to intensify the meaning, as when the Lord makes the land "most **desolate**" ([[Ezekiel 33:29]], [[Ezekiel 35:3]]).
* `{{H2781}}` **cherpâh** (reproach, shame): This word appears alongside `{{H4923}}` to describe the outcome of judgment, which will be "a **reproach** and a taunt, an instruction and an **astonishment**" [[Ezekiel 5:15]].
* `{{H4057}}` **midbâr** (wilderness, desert): This term provides a benchmark for the severity of the desolation, with God vowing to make the land "more **desolate** `{{H4923}}` than the **wilderness**" [[Ezekiel 6:14]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H4923}}` is centered on the consequences of God's judgment:
* **Judgment on Sin:** The word is directly tied to divine retribution. The land is laid desolate "because of all their abominations which they have committed" [[Ezekiel 33:29]].
* **A Public Spectacle:** The desolation is not a private matter. It is intended to be a visible sign, serving as "a reproach and a taunt, an instruction and an **astonishment** unto the nations" [[Ezekiel 5:15]], demonstrating the seriousness of defying God.
* **Revelation of God's Identity:** The ultimate purpose of this judgment is revelatory. The desolation leads to the acknowledgment of God's authority, as stated in the recurring phrase, "and they shall know that I am the LORD" ([[Ezekiel 6:14]], [[Ezekiel 33:29]]).
### Summary
In summary, `{{H4923}}` **mᵉshammâh** is a powerful prophetic term that encapsulates both a state of profound physical **desolation** and the resulting emotional shock of **astonishment**. It is not a word of random destruction but one that points to purposeful, divine judgment against sin. Through its use, scripture illustrates that the consequences of rebellion are severe and visible, ultimately serving to reveal the undisputed sovereignty of the LORD.
TRV