Original Word: הָמָה
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: hamah
Pronunciation: hah-MAH
Phonetic Spelling: (haw-maw')
KJV: clamorous, concourse, cry aloud, be disquieted, loud, mourn, be moved, make a noise, rage, roar, sound, be troubled, make in tumult, tumultuous, be in an uproar
NASB: roar, boisterous, become disturbed, disturbed, howl, make an uproar, roars
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to make a loud sound like Engl. "hum")
2. (by implication) to be in great commotion or tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor

clamorous, concourse, cry aloud, be disquieted, loud, mourn, be moved, make a noise,

A primitive root (compare huwm); to make a loud sound like Engl. "hum"); by implication, to be in great commotion or tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor -- clamorous, concourse, cry aloud, be disquieted, loud, mourn, be moved, make a noise, rage, roar, sound, be troubled, make in tumult, tumultuous, be in an uproar.

see HEBREW huwm

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to murmur, growl, roar, be boisterous
NASB Translation
aroused (1), become disturbed (2), boisterous (4), brawler (1), disturbed (2), growl (1), howl (2), intones (1), made an uproar (1), make an uproar (2), making such an uproar (1), mourning (1), murmur (1), noisy (1), pounding (1), roar (5), roar like the roaring (1), roars (2), wails (2), yearns (1).

[הָמָה] verb murmur, growl, roar, be boisterous ( ᵑ7 הֲמָא, but rare, and perhaps not Genuine Aramaic; compare Arabic murmur); —

Qal Perfect3masculine plural הָמוּ Psalm 46:7 + 2t.; וְהָמוּ consecutive Jeremiah 5:22 2t.; Imperfect יֶהֱמֶה Jeremiah 6:23 3t.; 2 feminine singular תֶּהֱמִי Psalm 42:12; Psalm 43:5; וַתֶּהֱמִי Psalm 42:6; אֶהֱמֶה Psalm 55:18; אֶהֱמָ֑יָה Psalm 77:4; יֶהֱמוּ Psalm 46:4 3t.; וַיֶּהֱמוּ Isaiah 51:15; Jeremiah 31:35; יֶהֱמָיוּ֑ן Psalm 39:7 2t.; 1 plural נֶהֱמֶה Isaiah 59:11; Infinitive הֲמוֺת Isaiah 17:12; Participle הֹמֶה Proverbs 20:1; Jeremiah 4:19; feminine הוֺמָה 1 Kings 1:41, הֹמִיָּה Proverbs 7:11; Proverbs 9:13, הוֺמִיָּה Isaiah 22:2; feminine plural הֹמִיּוֺת Proverbs 1:21, הֹמוֺת Ezekiel 7:16 (Co הַמָּוֶת compare ᵐ5 ᵑ6); —

1 growl like a dog כַּכָּ֑לֶב Psalm 59:7; Psalm 59:15, subject wicked men; groan (in distress, lamentation), like bears כַּדֹּבִים Isaiah 59:11 ("" כיונה הגה); of doves (also in simile) Ezekiel 7:16 compare Da (si vera lectio, see above).

2 murmur, figurative of soul (נֶפֶשׁ) in discouragement Psalm 42:6; Psalm 42:12; Psalm 43:5; in prayer Psalm 55:18; Psalm 77:4 (both "" אָשִׂיחָה); also subject מֵעִים of the thrill of deep-felt compassion or sympathy, followed by לְ of person pitied, Jeremiah 31:20 ("" רחם ארחמנו), followed by עַל Songs 5:4; further כַּכִּנּוֺר like the lyre (zither) Isaiah 16:11; כַּחֲלִילִים like flutes, subject לֵב Jeremiah 48:36 (followed by לְ); Jeremiah 48:36 (followed by אֶל); compare Jeremiah 4:19 לִי לִבִּי הֹמֶהֿ.

3 roar, of waves, subject גַּלִּים Jeremiah 5:22; Jeremiah 31:35; Isaiah 51:15 compare Psalm 46:4; simile of roar of multitudes Isaiah 17:12; Jeremiah 6:23; Jeremiah 50:42; metaphor id., Jeremiah 51:55; be tumultuous, of peoples Psalm 46:7 ("" מָטוּ); Psalm 83:3 ("" נָָֽשְׂאוּ ראֹשׁ).

4 be in commotion, stir, of city 1 Kings 1:41; Isaiah 22:2; so participle feminine plural as substantive הֹמִיּוֺת ראֹשׁ Proverbs 1:21 head of stirring, bustling streets ("" פתחי שׁערים); of man, אַךְהֶֿבֶל יֶהֱמָי֑וּן Psalm 39:7 surely to no purpose they bustle about ("" יִתְהָלֶּךְאִֿישׁ אַךְבְּֿצֶלֶם)

5 be boisterous, turbulent, as with wine Zechariah 9:5 (but read perhaps דָּמָם compare Fi^{Hexapl. ii. 3, 1024} Klo^{ThLZ, 1879, 564} Sta^{ZAW 1881, 18}); also participle as adjective, of שֵׁכָר (by meton.) Proverbs 20:1; of shameless woman Proverbs 7:11; Proverbs 9:13.

Semantic Range and Overview

הָמָה depicts loud or turbulent movement—roaring, growling, rumbling, raging, murmuring, or internal agitation. It spans natural phenomena, animal sounds, military tumult, public clamor, and the quiet turmoil of the soul. About thirty-four occurrences form a thread that ties together creation’s unrest, human rebellion, and the need for divine intervention.

Distribution in the Old Testament

• Torah: rare, but foundational in describing physical disturbance (e.g., Deuteronomy 1:27 alluded murmuring).
• Poetic and Wisdom Books: frequent in Psalms, Proverbs.
• Major Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah.
• Minor Prophets: Zechariah, Habakkuk.

Roaring Creation

When biblical writers picture seas, floods, or earthquakes, הָמָה provides the auditory texture.
• “Though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging” (Psalm 46:3).
• “You still the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the tumult of the nations” (Psalm 65:7).

These lines present Yahweh as sovereign over untamed creation, a theme that anticipates Messiah calming the storm (Mark 4:39).

Animal Imagery

The verb colors the low, guttural sounds of beasts.
• “My heart laments for Moab like a harp; my inmost being for Kir-hareseth” (Isaiah 16:11) where the prophetic “lament” literally “roars.”
• In Proverbs 20:1 wine “is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,” its noisy, uncontrolled effect pictured by הָמָה.

Tumult of Nations and Warfare

Prophets use הָמָה to portray armed conflict and the restless masses opposing God’s rule.
• “Oh, the raging of many peoples—they rage like the raging seas… He will rebuke them, and they will flee far away” (Isaiah 17:12-13).
• “The LORD of Hosts will shield them… they will drink and roar as with wine” (Zechariah 9:15).

The same verb that describes churning water depicts political upheaval; yet every upheaval meets the rebuke of the Almighty.

Public Clamor and Social Disorder

Psalm 83:2 pictures conspiracy: “Your enemies rage, and those who hate You have lifted their heads.” הָמָה expresses verbal hostility and plotting, reminding readers that God hears the noise behind closed doors.

Inner Turmoil

Hebrew poetry turns the external roar inward.
• “Why are you downcast, O my soul, and why the turmoil within me?” (Psalm 42:5).

Spiritual depression is rendered as a roar no less real than crashing waves, directing believers to pour out their complaint before God.

Liturgical and Prophetic Resonance

• Psalm 46 couples roaring waters with the stability of “a river whose streams delight the city of God.”
• Habakkuk 3:10 recalls mountains shaking and waters raging before the divine warrior.

In corporate worship these images stir awe, while prophetic texts warn that unrepentant nations will experience God’s shattering voice above their own noise.

Theological Trajectories

1. Creator versus Chaos: הָמָה underscores the biblical polemic against Near-Eastern chaos myths—Yahweh does not battle equals but effortlessly stills the roar.
2. Judgment and Mercy: The same God who unleashes tumult against oppressors also stills the troubled heart that trusts Him (compare Isaiah 57:20-21 with Psalm 131:2).
3. Christological Fulfillment: Gospel narratives of Jesus mastering wind and wave echo Psalms that use הָמָה, revealing His divine identity.

Ministry and Homiletical Uses

• Counseling Anxiety: Psalms 42 and 46 invite believers to name their “roar” before God and find hope.
• Preaching on Sovereignty: Isaiah 17 or Zechariah 9 illustrates how worldly clamor cannot thwart God’s plan.
• Worship Leading: Songs and readings that juxtapose roaring seas with God’s steadfast love help congregations move from fear to faith.
• Evangelism: The calming of literal and figurative storms points neighbors to the Prince of Peace.

Key Takeaways

• הָמָה embodies the sound of creation and humanity out of harmony.
• Scripture consistently presents the LORD as master over every roar.
• The believer’s response is trust, praise, and proclamation of the One who says, “Peace, be still,” and whose word silences every tumult.

הָמ֖וּ הָמ֣וּ הָמ֤וּ הָמ֥וּ הֹֽמִיָּ֑ה הֹֽמֶה־ הֹמ֑וֹת הֹמִיָּ֣ה הֹמִיּ֗וֹת הֹמֶ֣ה הֽוֹמִיָּ֔ה הוֹמָֽה׃ הומה׃ הומיה המה המה־ המו המות המיה המיות וְאֶֽהֱמָיָ֑ה וְאֶהֱמֶ֑ה וְהָמ֤וּ וְהָמ֥וּ וַיֶּהֱמ֖וּ וַיֶּהֱמ֣וּ וַתֶּהֱמִ֪י ואהמה ואהמיה והמו ויהמו ותהמי יֶֽהֱמ֑וּ יֶהֱמ֣וּ יֶהֱמ֥וּ יֶהֱמֶ֑ה יֶהֱמֶ֔ה יֶהֱמָי֑וּן יהמה יהמו יהמיון כַּהֲמ֥וֹת כהמות נֶהֱמֶ֤ה נהמה תֶּהֱמִ֪י תהמי hā·mū haMu hāmū hō·meh hō·meh- hō·mî·yāh hō·mî·yō·wṯ hō·mō·wṯ hō·w·māh hō·w·mî·yāh hoMah hoMeh hōmeh hōmeh- homiYah hōmîyāh homiYot hōmîyōwṯ hoMot hōmōwṯ hōwmāh hōwmîyāh ka·hă·mō·wṯ kahaMot kahămōwṯ ne·hĕ·meh neheMeh nehĕmeh te·hĕ·mî teheMi tehĕmî vaiyeheMu vatteheMi veehemaYah veeheMeh vehaMu wat·te·hĕ·mî wattehĕmî way·ye·hĕ·mū wayyehĕmū wə’ehĕmāyāh wə’ehĕmeh wə·’e·hĕ·mā·yāh wə·’e·hĕ·meh wə·hā·mū wəhāmū ye·hĕ·mā·yūn ye·hĕ·meh ye·hĕ·mū yehemaYun yehĕmāyūn yeheMeh yehĕmeh yeheMu yehĕmūInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts