Original Word: דִּמְעָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: dim`ah
Pronunciation: dee-maw'
Phonetic Spelling: (dim-aw')
KJV: tears
NASB: tears
Word Origin: [feminine of H1831 (דֶּמַע - vintage)]

1. weeping

tears

Feminine of dema'; weeping -- tears.

see HEBREW dema'

Word Origin
from dama
Definition
tears (of one weeping)
NASB Translation
tears (23).

דִּמְעָה noun feminine collective tears (chiefly poetic and late; frequently in Jeremiah and contemporary) (Arabic ; Assyrian dimu, dimtu Hpt^{KAT 2 Gloss i.} Zim^{BP 23, 95}; Aramaic דִּמְעָא, ; Late Hebrew דֶּמַע, דִּמְעָה) — absolute ׳ד Psalm 80:6 10t.; construct דִּמְעַת Ecclesiastes 4:1; suffix דִּמְעָתִי Psalm 6:7 4t.; דִּמְעָתֶ֑ךָ 2 Kings 20:5 = Isaiah 38:5 + Ezekiel 24:16 (strike out ᵐ5 Co); דִּמְעָתָהּ Lamentations 1:2; plural דְּמָעוֺת Psalm 80:6; Lamentations 2:11 — tears Psalm 6:7; Ecclesiastes 4:1; Lamentations 1:2; Lamentations 2:11; especially in Jeremiah in phrase תֵּרֵד ׳עֵינִי ד etc. Jeremiah 9:17; Jeremiah 13:17; Jeremiah 14:17, compare Lamentations 2:18; Jeremiah 8:23 וְעֵינִי ׳מְקוֺר ד; אֲרַיָּ֫וֶךְ דִּמְעָתִי of weeping over, in behalf of one Isaiah 16:9; as appealing to God's compassion 2 Kings 20:5 = Isaiah 38:5; Psalm 39:13; Psalm 56:9 ׳שִׂימָה ד בְּנאֹדֶ֑ךָ (compare Che); see also Psalm 116:8; Jeremiah 31:16; Isaiah 25:8; opposed to רִנָּה Psalm 126:5; of hypocritical tears Malachi 2:13; figurative tears as food Psalm 42:4 (דִּמְעָתִי לחם); ׳לחם ד Psalm 80:6; as drink Psalm 80:6, compare Babylonian dimtu maštîtî, tears (were) my drink (Zim^{BP 42}; "" bikîtum kurmatî, weeping (was) my sustenance). — Ezekiel 24:16 וְלֹא תָבוֺא דִּמְעָתֶ֑ךָ strike out ᵐ5 Co compare Ezekiel 24:23.

Definition and Essence

The word denotes the actual droplet that forms in the eye when sorrow, grief, deep joy, or earnest supplication overwhelms the heart. In Scripture it becomes a vivid emblem of the whole spectrum of human emotion, from crushing despair to expectant faith. Each occurrence of דִּמְעָה foregrounds the reality that the covenant God is neither indifferent to human anguish nor unmoved by heartfelt devotion.

Occurrences and Literary Distribution

Appearing twenty-three times, the term clusters in key theological settings: Davidic lament (Psalms), royal narrative (2 Kings), wisdom reflection (Ecclesiastes), prophetic indictment and comfort (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Malachi), and post-exilic mourning (Lamentations). Its distribution underscores that tears are not a marginal phenomenon but a recurring feature of Israel’s spiritual journey.

Tears as Personal Lament

Individual distress often finds its voice in tears. David confesses, “All night I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears” (Psalm 6:6). The exile-stricken psalmist cries, “My tears have been my food day and night” (Psalm 42:3). Such verses normalize emotional transparency before God; the inspired writers neither mask their agony nor pretend stoic detachment.

Tears and Divine Compassion

God’s intimate awareness of human tears shines in 2 Kings 20:5 and its parallel Isaiah 38:5. To Hezekiah the Lord says, “I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears.” Likewise, Psalm 56:8 invites faith with the assurance, “Put my tears in Your bottle—are they not in Your book?” The divine response includes healing, deliverance, and extended life, proving that tears offered in humble prayer can move the hand of the Almighty.

Corporate Tears amid National Tragedy

When calamity befalls the nation, tears become communal. “You fed them with the bread of tears and made them drink tears in full measure” (Psalm 80:5). Jeremiah voices relentless grief for Judah—“Oh, that my head were a fountain of tears” (Jeremiah 9:1)—and Lamentations records tears on every cheek as Jerusalem sits desolate (Lamentations 1:2; 2:11, 18). These passages teach that national sin has emotional and spiritual consequences, and that collective lament is a proper covenant response.

Prophetic Symbolism

Prophets often employ tears to dramatize their message. Isaiah weeps over Moab’s vineyards (Isaiah 16:9). Jeremiah’s eyes “overflow with tears” for the captive flock (Jeremiah 13:17). Ezekiel must suppress tears when his wife dies (Ezekiel 24:16), portraying how judgment leaves no place for customary mourning. Malachi comments that covenant violators “cover the altar of the LORD with tears” yet still lack divine favor (Malachi 2:13), revealing that ritual weeping without repentance is futile.

Tears and Covenant Faithfulness

While tears express sorrow, they also test sincerity. God hears contrite tears (Psalm 39:12; Psalm 116:8) yet rejects manipulative ones (Malachi 2:13). True covenant tears flow from brokenness over sin and reliance on divine mercy. Consequently, restraining the voice from weeping in Jeremiah 31:16 marks the moment when repentance has been received and restoration promised.

Eschatological Hope and the End of Tears

Isaiah 25:8 proclaims, “The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from every face.” This future-oriented promise anchors Israel’s hope and anticipates the ultimate eradication of sorrow. The verse stands in continuity with later revelation (for example Revelation 21:4), revealing God’s consistent redemptive trajectory—temporary tears now, everlasting joy to come.

Practical and Ministry Applications

1. Pastoral Care: Tears should not be suppressed in Christian fellowship. Authentic lament can usher wounded hearts toward healing, mirroring the honesty of the Psalms.
2. Intercessory Prayer: Like Hezekiah’s petition, earnest weeping may accompany fervent prayer for deliverance, repentance, or revival.
3. Preaching and Teaching: Malachi’s warning against insincere tears highlights the need to couple emotion with obedience.
4. Worship: Sowing in tears leads to reaping in joy (Psalm 126:5), encouraging believers that seasons of weeping can cultivate deeper praise.

Related Concepts

Weeping, lamentation, contrition, comfort, divine compassion.

בְּ֝דִמְעָתִ֗י בְּדִמְעָ֗ה בִּדְמָע֥וֹת בַדְּמָע֤וֹת בדמעה בדמעות בדמעתי דִּמְעַ֣ת דִּמְעָ֑ה דִּמְעָ֔ה דִּמְעָ֖ה דִּמְעָ֛ה דִּמְעָה֙ דִּמְעָתִ֔י דִּמְעָתִ֗י דִּמְעָתֶ֑ךָ דִּמְעָתֶֽךָ׃ דִמְעָתִ֣י דמעה דמעת דמעתי דמעתך דמעתך׃ וְדִמְעָתָהּ֙ ודמעתה מִדִּמְעָ֑ה מדמעה ḇad·də·mā·‘ō·wṯ ḇaddəmā‘ōwṯ bə·ḏim·‘ā·ṯî bə·ḏim·‘āh bəḏim‘āh bəḏim‘āṯî bedimAh bedimaTi biḏ·mā·‘ō·wṯ biḏmā‘ōwṯ bidmaot dim‘āh dim‘aṯ dim‘āṯeḵā dim‘āṯî ḏim‘āṯî dim·‘ā·ṯe·ḵā dim·‘ā·ṯî ḏim·‘ā·ṯî dim·‘āh dim·‘aṯ dimAh dimAt dimaTecha dimaTi mid·dim·‘āh middim‘āh middimAh vaddemaot vedimaTah wə·ḏim·‘ā·ṯāh wəḏim‘āṯāhInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts