דְּמָה
𐤃𐤌𐤄
dᵉmâh
H1821 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To be like, resemble, or appear similar to; denotes comparison or likeness between persons, objects, or conditions. In context, often conveys the idea of being made similar or appearing as something else, either in outward form or perceived qualities.
Semantic Range
to be like, resemble, be similar, appear as, compare
Root / Etymology
Root דמה (d-m-h), meaning 'to be like, to resemble.' This root occurs frequently in Hebrew with the idea of similarity or likeness. The Aramaic דְּמָה is derived from the same Semitic root and retains essentially the same core meaning of likeness or resemblance.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Biblical Aramaic, דְּמָה (demâh) occurs in Daniel and Ezra, linguistic contexts paralleling the Hebrew uses but within the distinctive grammatical structures of Aramaic. The verb is primarily used in forms expressing comparison, e.g., describing how someone or something is like another (Daniel 3:25 — 'the fourth [is] like a son of the gods'). The essential nuance is similarity, whether visual, functional, or qualitative. The meaning is stable throughout the biblical Aramaic corpus, showing little semantic drift; it is distinct from עָשָׂה ('to make, do') and bears no direct theological connotations. Later translations sometimes render it based on context as 'to be like' or 'to appear as,' but care should be taken since such translations can both narrow and expand its sense depending on interpretation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to דָּמָה; to resemble; be like.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
דמה (d-m-h) — to be like, to resemble, to compare
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1745 | דּוּמָה | silence |
| H1747 | דּוּמִיָּה | stillness |
| H1819 | דָּמָה | I will liken |
| H1820 | דָּמָה | I have fallen silent |
| H1822 | דֻּמָּה | like silence |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1821-01 |
דָּמֵ֖ה | dameh | AVqrmsa |
like | one who resembles | 1 |
H1821-02 |
דָּמְיָ֣ה | dameyah | AVqrfsa |
resembling | the resembling one | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1821-01 |
Daniel 3:25 | דָּמֵ֖ה | dameh | AVqrmsa |
like | one who resembles |
H1821-02 |
Daniel 7:5 | דָּמְיָ֣ה | dameyah | AVqrfsa |
resembling | the resembling one |