עֶמְדָּה (em.dah)
em.dah
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H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun emdah refers to a place where one can stand firm, essentially meaning "standing ground." It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Micah 1:11, describing the fate of a city that must flee because it has no stable footing left.
This single usage highlights the word’s concrete nature. It is not an abstract concept of stability but a physical location where feet can remain planted securely. When the prophet speaks of this standing ground being lost, he paints a vivid picture of sudden vulnerability and forced retreat.
Translators typically render emdah as "standing ground" or "place to stand," preserving the image of physical security. The word underscores how safety in ancient times depended on having defensible, solid terrain, making its loss a matter of immediate survival rather than mere inconvenience.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When life feels unstable, we often look for a solid place to stand. The Hebrew word emdah describes exactly that: firm ground beneath your feet. In Micah 1:11, the prophet uses this image to show how quickly security can vanish when people lose their footing. It reminds us that true safety comes from having a foundation that cannot be shaken.
God offers us a standing ground that outlasts every crisis. When circumstances shift and fear rises, you do not need to panic. You can rest in the knowledge that He provides stability when everything else feels uncertain. This promise is not about avoiding trouble, but about finding peace within it.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- standing ground/ its1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עֶמְדָּתֽ/וֹ\׃1×
Key Verses
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Micah 1:11
Pass on, inhabitant of Shaphir, in nakedness and shame. The inhabitant of Zaanan won’t come out. The wailing of Beth Ezel will take from you his protection.
This verse uses the word to depict the sudden loss of physical security as a city is forced to flee in shame.