רִמָּה (rim.mah)
rim.mah
worm
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun rimmah refers to a worm or maggot, specifically highlighting its role as both a cause and a visible sign of decay. In the biblical text, it is not merely an insect but a symbol of vulnerability and corruption, often appearing in contexts where life is fragile or status has fallen.
This word carries significant emotional weight, particularly in Job and Psalms, where it describes human misery. For instance, Job uses it to express his profound humiliation, stating that he is treated like a worm rather than a man (Job 7:5; Psalm 22:6). The imagery strips away dignity, reducing the person to something lowly and consumed by suffering.
In Isaiah, the term shifts slightly to describe the fate of the proud. The prophet declares that the glory of Israel will be like a thornbush that burns, with its smoke rising like ash, and its remnants becoming food for worms (Isaiah 66:24). Here, rimmah signifies the inevitable end of earthly pride and the physical decay that follows death, serving as a stark reminder of human mortality before God.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
This word paints a picture of profound vulnerability. In the ancient world, being compared to a worm meant losing all dignity and status. It is a stark reminder that human strength is fragile and that we are dependent on God for our very breath. When life feels like it is breaking down around you, this imagery validates your pain rather than dismissing it.
Yet, even in these dark descriptions of decay and humiliation, there is a shared human experience. The Psalms and Job use this word to cry out to God from the depths of suffering. It reminds us that God sees the lowly state of His people and does not turn away from those who feel consumed by their circumstances.
Ultimately, this word points to our need for a hope that transcends physical decay. While worms consume what is mortal, the Christian faith offers a resurrection life that death cannot touch. We can bring our deepest fears about mortality and shame to God, trusting in His power to restore what seems lost.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- maggot[s]3×
- and/ a maggot2×
- to the/ maggot1×
- a maggot1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רִמָּ֗ה1×
- רִמָּ֔ה1×
- רִמָּ֑ה1×
- רִ֭מָּה1×
- לָֽ/רִמָּֽה\׃1×
- וְ֝/רִמָּ֗ה1×
- וְ/רִמָּ֖ה1×
Key Verses
-
Job 7:5
My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust. My skin closes up, and breaks out afresh.
This verse uses the word to describe physical suffering that mirrors spiritual humiliation, showing how deeply Job feels his humanity stripped away.
-
Job 25:6
How much less man, who is a worm, and the son of man, who is a worm!”
Bildad uses this term to argue that humans are insignificant compared to God, highlighting the vast gap between Creator and creature.
-
Isaiah 14:11
Your pomp is brought down to Sheol, with the sound of your stringed instruments. Maggots are spread out under you, and worms cover you.
Here the word signifies the ultimate downfall of earthly pride, showing that no amount of power can escape physical decay.