מְהוּמָה (me.hu.mah)
me.hu.mah
tumult
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun mehuamah describes a state of violent commotion or chaotic confusion. It appears ten times in the Old Testament, most frequently in historical narratives like 1 Samuel and prophetic texts such as Deuteronomy and Zechariah. The word captures more than simple noise; it refers to the disarray and panic that accompany military defeat or divine judgment.
Its usage often links directly to the rout of enemies. For instance, in 1 Samuel 14:15, the Bible records a mehuamah striking the camp of the Philistines, causing them to flee in disorder. This sense of sudden, overwhelming turmoil is also present in Deuteronomy 28:25, where it describes the panic that overtakes a nation when it faces its adversaries. The term conveys a loss of order so complete that it leads to destruction or discomfiture.
Translators typically render mehuamah as "tumult," "confusion," or "panic." These English words help convey the intensity of the scene, where fear and disorder take hold. The word serves as a vivid marker in Scripture for moments when human strength fails against divine action, leaving behind only chaos.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mehuamah describes a sudden, violent chaos that leaves people in disarray. In the Old Testament, it often marks moments when human strength fails against divine action. This is not just noise; it is the panic of enemies fleeing or cities struck by God’s hand. It reminds us that order belongs to the Lord, and when He acts, human plans can unravel instantly.
For your faith, this word offers comfort in times of personal turmoil. When life feels like it is falling apart, remember that God holds the ultimate authority over chaos. The same power that confused armies or brought panic upon oppressors is also at work in your life. You do not need to control every outcome.
Instead of fearing the unknown, you can trust in His sovereignty. Even when circumstances seem overwhelming, God’s purposes are being fulfilled. This word points to a God who intervenes decisively, turning confusion into victory for those who rely on Him. Rest in the knowledge that He is greater than any storm.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- panic2×
- disturbances2×
- panic of1×
- consternation1×
- confusion1×
- and/ turmoil1×
- a panic of1×
- <the>/ confusion1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מְהֽוּמַת\־2×
- מְהוּמֹ֤ת1×
- מְהוּמֹ֣ת1×
- מְהוּמָה֙1×
- מְהוּמָ֨ה1×
- מְהוּמָ֣ה1×
- מְהוּמָ֖ה1×
- וּ/מְה֥וּמָה1×
- הַ/מְּהוּמָה֙1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 14:20
Saul and all the people who were with him were gathered together, and came to the battle; and behold, they were all striking each other with their swords in very great confusion.
This verse shows the word describing the internal collapse of an enemy army, where they struck each other in confusion due to divine intervention.
-
Deuteronomy 28:20
Yahweh will send on you cursing, confusion, and rebuke in all that you put your hand to do, until you are destroyed and until you perish quickly, because of the evil of your doings, by which you have forsaken me.
Here the word signifies a comprehensive curse of confusion that affects all aspects of life, serving as a consequence for forsaking God.
-
I Samuel 5:9
It was so, that after they had carried it there, Yahweh’s hand was against the city with a very great confusion; and he struck the men of the city, both small and great, so that tumors broke out on them.
The term describes the 'great confusion' or plague struck upon the Philistines by Yahweh’s hand after they took the ark.