דֶּמַע
𐤃𐤌𐤏
demaʻ
H1831 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Tear, referring specifically to a drop of fluid produced by the eyes as a physical manifestation of weeping or deep emotion; in some poetic or figurative contexts, a drop of liquid or moisture (such as dew or juice), but primarily used of tears shed during mourning, lamentation, or distress.
Semantic Range
tear, teardrop, drop of liquid (poetic), juice (figurative), moisture (rare poetic)
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root דמע, which means 'to weep' or 'to shed tears'. The noun דֶּמַע is formed from this root to indicate the physical product of weeping, i.e., a tear.
Historical & Contextual Notes
דֶּמַע appears primarily in poetic and emotive contexts, such as in Psalms and Jeremiah, often associated with expressions of sorrow, grief, or prayerful pleading. In post-biblical Hebrew and later Jewish literature, the sense of 'tear' as a symbol of suffering or supplication continues, but references to 'juice' or 'liquor' are rare and mostly figurative or poetic, meaning a drop of liquid. English translations almost invariably render דֶּמַע as 'tear', but some older versions, influenced by Septuagint and later traditions, might introduce 'juice' or 'liquor' in rare figurative translations, not reflecting primary biblical usage. Unlike other terms for weeping (e.g., בכי 'bākhî'), דֶּמַע focuses on the physical tear drop itself rather than the act of weeping. Its use is consistent across monarchic, exilic, and post-exilic periods, with no significant semantic shift.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from דָּמַע; a tear; figuratively, juice; liquor.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
דמע (d-m-ʿ) — to weep, to shed tears
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1831-01 |
וְ/דִמְעֲ/ךָ֖ | vedimeakha | HC/Ncmsc/Sp2ms |
and your heave offering | and your tear | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1831-01 |
Exodus 22:28 | וְ/דִמְעֲ/ךָ֖ | vedimeakha | HC/Ncmsc/Sp2ms |
and your heave offering | and your tear |