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דּוּמָם

𐤃𐤅𐤌𐤌

dûwmâm

H1748 adverb

SILEX Entry

Root דום to be still, to be silent, to cease

Definition

Primarily denotes a state of being still, quiet, or silent, used both literally (absence of sound or movement) and metaphorically (emotional calm, inaction, waiting passively). Functions most often as an adverb indicating the manner of waiting or existing in stillness or silence.

Semantic Range

in silence, in stillness, silently, quietly, without movement; figuratively: waiting patiently, enduring calmly, holding one's peace

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root דום (d-w-m), which means 'to be still, be silent, cease moving or making noise.' The word דּוּמָם is an adverbial formation emphasizing the quality or condition of being still or silent, distinguished from the verb by its usage as a modifier of activity or state (i.e., how one waits or exists).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, דּוּמָם typically emphasizes an active disposition of silence or stillness, especially in contexts like waiting for YHWH (e.g., Psalms 62:6). It is contrasted with words like חָרֵשׁ (ḥārēsh), which also denotes silence, but often with the sense of intentional muteness or non-communication. In poetic and wisdom literature, דּוּמָם connotes inner calm or restrained response rather than forced or imposed silence; it suggests a reflective stillness or patience. English translations sometimes render it as 'quietly,' 'in silence,' or 'silently wait,' but these do not capture the full experiential nuance in the Hebrew context. The term is rare and occurs primarily in Psalms and poetry, contributing to its meditative and contemplative connotation.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from דָּמַם; still; adverbially, silently; dumb, silent, quietly wait.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

דום (d-w-m) — stillness, silence, cessation

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1826 דָּמַם silence
H1916 הֲדֹם footstool of

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1748-01 דוּמָ֛ם dumam HD mute in stillness 2
H1748-02 וְ/דוּמָ֔ם vedumam HC/D quietly and in stillness 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1748-01 Isaiah 47:5 דוּמָ֛ם dumam HD silently in stillness
H1748-01 Habakkuk 2:19 דּוּמָ֑ם dumam HNcmsa mute in stillness
H1748-02 Lamentations 3:26 וְ/דוּמָ֔ם vedumam HC/D quietly and in stillness
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