תָּמַהּ (ta.mah)
ta.mah
to astounded
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb tamah describes a state of being stunned or dumbfounded by something overwhelming. It captures the physical and mental paralysis that accompanies shock, where a person is left without words or immediate reaction. In the Old Testament, this word appears in contexts where observers witness events so extraordinary or terrifying that their natural responses are suspended.
Its usage often highlights the intensity of divine action or judgment. For instance, in Habakkuk 1:5, the prophet uses it to describe how Israel will be astounded by God’s work, an event so radical it defies comprehension. Similarly, in Job and Isaiah, the term conveys the awe-inspiring nature of God’s power, leaving humans speechless before the magnitude of what they have seen.
The Hithpael form adds a reflexive dimension, suggesting people astonishing themselves or being amazed by one another. This nuance emphasizes that the experience is not just passive observation but an active, internal upheaval. Translators typically render it as "astounded" or "amazed," though these English words can feel too mild for the Hebrew sense of complete stupefaction.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we encounter situations that defy our expectations or understanding, it is natural to feel stunned. The Hebrew word tamah captures this moment of being left speechless by something overwhelming. It describes a state where shock suspends our usual reactions, leaving us in awe before the magnitude of what we witness. This is not merely surprise; it is a profound stillness that acknowledges forces greater than ourselves.
In Scripture, this reaction often arises when people confront divine action or judgment. Whether it is the prophets witnessing God's power or nations seeing unexpected events unfold, tamah reminds us that some realities require silence rather than immediate explanation. It invites us to pause and recognize that not every mystery needs to be solved instantly.
For your faith, this word offers comfort in moments of confusion. When life feels chaotic or incomprehensible, you are not alone in feeling astounded. The biblical writers used this term to describe encounters with God’s presence, suggesting that awe is a appropriate response to the divine. It encourages us to rest in the truth that God’s ways often exceed our full comprehension.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ be astounded2×
- they will look in astonishment1×
- they will be astounded1×
- be astonished1×
- and/ they may be astonished1×
- and/ they looked in astonishment1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תְּמָ֑הוּ1×
- יִתְמָֽהוּ\׃1×
- יִתְמָ֔הוּ1×
- וּ/תְמָ֔הוּ1×
- וַ/יִּתְמְה֥וּ1×
- וְ֝/יִתְמְה֗וּ1×
- וְ/הִֽתַּמְּה֖וּ1×
Key Verses
-
Habakkuk 1:5
“Look among the nations, watch, and wonder marvelously; for I am working a work in your days which you will not believe though it is told you.
The prophet uses this word to describe how Israel will react to God's radical work, which is so extraordinary that it defies their immediate belief.
-
Job 26:11
The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his rebuke.
This verse attributes the astonishment directly to the 'pillars of heaven,' showing that even cosmic structures tremble at God's rebuke.
-
Isaiah 13:8
They will be dismayed. Pangs and sorrows will seize them. They will be in pain like a woman in labor. They will look in amazement one at another. Their faces will be faces of flame.
The term describes people looking in amazement at one another during a time of terror, highlighting the shared paralysis caused by overwhelming divine judgment.