קִימָה (qi.mah)
qi.mah
rising
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun qi.mah, appearing only once in the Bible at Lamentations 3:63, translates simply to "rising up." It derives from the verb qum, meaning to stand or arise, and here functions as a feminine singular construct form. The term captures the physical act of standing or the state of being upright.
In its sole occurrence, Jeremiah describes how he has become an object of scorn for all his people. They watch him as he stands before them, facing their judgment. This "rising up" is not a triumphant emergence but a vulnerable exposure. The word highlights the posture of one who is made to stand in public view, stripped of protection and subjected to the gaze of adversaries.
Translators render this term variously as "standing," "rise," or "uprising" depending on the sentence flow. The context emphasizes humiliation rather than victory. The image is of a person forced into the open, where their fate is decided by those who oppose them. This usage underscores the depth of Jeremiah's isolation and the public nature of his suffering.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word qi.mah, meaning "rising" or "standing," appears only once in Scripture, found in Lamentations 3:63. Here, it describes a posture of public exposure rather than triumph. Jeremiah speaks of being watched as he stands before his people, stripped of protection and subjected to their scorn. This image captures the vulnerability of someone forced into the open, where their fate is decided by adversaries.
When life places you in similar positions of scrutiny or shame, remember that God sees your standing. He observes not just the act of rising, but the heart behind it. Your worth is not defined by the gaze of those who oppose you, but by the One who knows your pain intimately. In moments of isolation, this verse reminds us that our suffering is seen and recorded by God.
Even when you feel exposed or judged, there is hope in being known by the Lord. He does not turn away from those who stand in vulnerability. Instead, He draws near to the brokenhearted, offering comfort in the midst of shame. May this awareness bring you peace, knowing that your standing before God is secure.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ rising/ their1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/קִֽימָתָ/ם֙1×
Key Verses
-
Lamentations 3:63
You see their sitting down and their rising up. I am their song.
This verse uses qi.mah to depict Jeremiah's forced public exposure and humiliation under the gaze of his people.