דּוּמָה (du.mah)
du.mah
Dumah
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun du.mah literally means silence or stillness. Although it appears only three times in Scripture, its usage shifts between a personal name, a geographic location, and a symbolic title. In Genesis 25:14, it identifies Dumah as the son of Ishmael, likely marking the founder of an Arabian tribe known for this characteristic.
The word also names a town in the mountains of Judah near Hebron (1 Chronicles 4:30). However, its most striking appearance is in Isaiah 21:11, where "Dumah" serves as a mystical name for Edom. Here, the term signifies a heavy, ominous silence associated with death and ruin, reflecting the prophetic judgment against the nation.
This progression from a tribal ancestor to a place of judgment highlights the word’s theological weight. Translators often render it simply as "Dumah" in proper noun contexts, but in Isaiah, the meaning of silence carries the burden of divine verdict. The sources emphasize that this silence is not peaceful rest, but the quiet finality of destruction.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Dumah carries a weight that goes far beyond a simple label for a person or a place. In the ancient world, silence was often interpreted as a sign of divine presence or judgment. When we encounter this word in Scripture, it invites us to consider the power of stillness—not as emptiness, but as a space where truth is revealed.
In Isaiah’s prophecy, Dumah becomes a voice from the darkness, asking if the night is over. This reflects a deep human longing for relief after a season of trouble. The text suggests that even in our darkest moments, there is an expectation of dawn. We are reminded that God hears the questions we ask in the quiet hours.
For your faith life, this word offers comfort in uncertainty. It teaches us that waiting is not passive; it is an active posture of hope. When you feel overwhelmed by the noise of life, remember that God speaks in the stillness. You can bring your doubts and questions to Him, trusting that He will answer with peace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Dumah2×
- Dumah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/דוּמָ֖ה1×
- וְ/דוּמָ֔ה1×
- דּוּמָ֑ה1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 21:11
The burden of Dumah. One calls to me out of Seir, “Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?”
This verse transforms Dumah from a mere name into a prophetic voice asking if the night of judgment is ending, highlighting the theme of hope after despair.
-
Genesis 25:14
Mishma, Dumah, Massa,
Here Dumah is listed among Ishmael’s sons, grounding the word in historical lineage and showing how personal names can carry significant tribal identity.
-
I Chronicles 1:30
Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema,
This genealogical record reinforces Dumah’s role as a foundational figure or place, linking the concept of stillness to the broader history of Israel’s neighbors.