תַּמָּה (tam.mah)
tam.mah
there
A:AdvQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:Adv
Word Overview
The word tammah is an Aramaian adverb meaning "there." It functions as the direct equivalent of the Hebrew sham, serving as a simple marker of location in texts written in or containing Aramaic. Its meaning is straightforward and spatial, pointing to a specific place without adding emotional or theological nuance.
This term appears only four times in the Bible, all within the book of Ezra. In these instances, it helps describe the geographical setting of events, such as identifying where certain groups settled or where activities took place. The rarity of its usage highlights the linguistic shift in the post-exilic period, where Aramaic became a common administrative language alongside Hebrew.
Understanding tammah requires recognizing the bilingual nature of Ezra. While much of the Old Testament is in Hebrew, chapters four to seven are written in Aramaic. Tamimah allows readers to navigate these sections with the same spatial clarity found in Hebrew narratives, simply indicating "there" in a context where the language has changed.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word tammah simply means "there." It appears four times in Ezra, always pointing to a physical location within the Aramaic sections of the book. In ancient Babylon, this small word helped officials and scribes mark where records were kept or where people lived. For us today, it reminds us that God works in real places with real history.
When the text says the archives were "there" in Babylon, it grounds the story in a specific city. This shows that faith is not just abstract; it happens in libraries, palaces, and cities. The Bible does not shy away from these ordinary details. Instead, it uses them to show how God’s promises are kept in the real world.
Reading these verses invites us to trust that God sees the details of our lives too. Just as He preserved records in Babylon for His people, He keeps track of every moment in your life. You do not need to search for hidden meanings in simple words. Sometimes, "there" is enough to show where God has been and where He is now.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- there4×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תַּמָּֽה\׃1×
- תַּמָּ֗ה1×
- תַּמָּ֖ה1×
- תַמָּה֮1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 5:17
Now therefore, if it seems good to the king, let a search be made in the king’s treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it is so that a decree was made by Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem; and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.”
This verse uses the word to locate the king's treasure house in Babylon, showing where officials looked for proof of Cyrus's decree.
-
Ezra 6:1
Then Darius the king made a decree, and the house of the archives, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon, was searched.
Here the term identifies the specific location of the archives where Darius's team searched for the original authorization to rebuild the temple.
-
Ezra 6:6
Now therefore, Tattenai, governor beyond the River, Shetharbozenai, and your companions the Apharsachites, who are beyond the River, you must stay far from there.
The word marks the geographical boundary beyond the River, instructing local governors to stay away from the construction site in Jerusalem.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word tammah mean?
Why does tammah appear in Hebrew texts?
How many times does tammah appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (4 verses across 1 books)
Ezra 4 verses
Now therefore, if it seems good to the king, let a search be made in the king’s treasure house, which is there at…
Ezra 6:1Then Darius the king made a decree, and the house of the archives, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon, was…
Ezra 6:6Now therefore, Tattenai, governor beyond the River, Shetharbozenai, and your companions the Apharsachites, who are…
Ezra 6:12May the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow all kings and peoples who stretch out their hand to alter…