Lexical Summary tardemah: Deep sleep, trance Original Word: תַּרְדֵּמָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance deep sleep From radam; a lethargy or (by implication) trance -- deep sleep. see HEBREW radam NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom radam Definition deep sleep NASB Translation deep sleep (5), sound sleep (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs תַּרְדֵּמָה noun feminine deep sleep; — absolute ׳ת Genesis 2:21 +; construct תַּרְדֵּמַת 1 Samuel 26:12; — deep sleep, usually with נָפַל + עַל person, and usually by supernatural agency: עַל ׳ת ׳א ׳וַיַמֵּל י Genesis 2:21 (J; ᵐ5 ἔκστασις), נָָֽפְלָח עַל ׳ת Genesis 15:12 (J; ᵐ5 id.), Job 4:13 = Job 33:15 (ᵐ5 [δεινὸς], φόβος), so ׳תַּרְדֵּמַת י 1 Samuel 26:12 (ᵐ5 θάμβος, result of slothfulness (על and person omitted) Proverbs 19:15; figurative for insensibility of spirit, ׳רוּחַ ת ׳נָסַךְ עֲלֵיכֶם י Isaiah 29:10. Topical Lexicon Overview תַּרְדֵּמָה denotes an unusually heavy sleep that God may initiate for His own purposes or that may descend upon a person through natural or moral causes. Its occurrences span the Torah, Historical Books, Wisdom Literature, and Prophets, revealing a breadth of theological meaning—from creative blessing to covenant revelation, from mercy-based protection to judicial hardening. Representative Passages • Genesis 2:21 – “So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place.” The first use of the term is tied to the creation of woman, highlighting the divinely ordained origin of marriage. Theological Themes 1. Divine Initiative and Human Passivity Historical and Literary Setting The term appears in narrative (Genesis, Samuel), poetic wisdom (Job, Proverbs), and prophetic discourse (Isaiah). Its spread across genres suggests readers of every era understood both the literal and figurative power of God-given slumber. In patriarchal times it frames foundational covenants; in the monarchy it protects the anointed; in wisdom writings it teaches personal responsibility; in prophetic literature it warns of collective apostasy. Ministry Implications • Dependence: Pastors and teachers can remind believers that essential works of God—creation in marriage, covenant promises, spiritual transformation—occur while human striving is at rest. Salvation is by grace, not human exertion. Intertextual Connections • Romans 11:8 cites Isaiah 29:10 to explain Israel’s partial hardening, confirming the continuity of the concept from prophet to apostle. Summary תַּרְדֵּמָה portrays a sleep deeper than ordinary rest, strategically employed by God to create, covenant, reveal, protect, warn, or judge. It reminds believers that the Almighty rules the thresholds of consciousness, calling His people either to peaceful trust or sober awakening. Forms and Transliterations וְתַרְדֵּמָ֖ה ותרדמה תַּ֝רְדֵּמָ֗ה תַּ֭רְדֵּמָה תַּרְדֵּמַ֣ת תַּרְדֵּמָ֑ה תַּרְדֵּמָ֔ה תַּרְדֵּמָ֛ה תרדמה תרדמת tar·dê·māh tar·dê·maṯ tardeMah tardêmāh tardeMat tardêmaṯ vetardeMah wə·ṯar·dê·māh wəṯardêmāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 2:21 HEB: יְהוָ֨ה אֱלֹהִ֧ים ׀ תַּרְדֵּמָ֛ה עַל־ הָאָדָ֖ם NAS: God caused a deep sleep to fall KJV: caused a deep sleep to fall INT: the LORD God A deep upon the man Genesis 15:12 1 Samuel 26:12 Job 4:13 Job 33:15 Proverbs 19:15 Isaiah 29:10 7 Occurrences |