Lexical Summary hamam: To confuse, to disturb, to trouble, to panic Original Word: הָמַם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance break, consume, crush, destroy, discomfit, trouble, vex A primitive root (compare huwm, hamah); properly, to put in commotion; by implication, to disturb, drive, destroy -- break, consume, crush, destroy, discomfit, trouble, vex. see HEBREW huwm see HEBREW hamah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to make a noise, move noisily, confuse, discomfit NASB Translation brought (1), confounded (1), confuse (1), confused (1), confusion (1), crushed (1), damage (1), destroy (1), disturb (1), routed (3), throw into confusion (1), troubled (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs הָמַם verb make a noise, move noisily, confuse, discomfit (compare [הום]) — Qal Perfect וְהָמַם consecutive Isaiah 28:28; suffix הֲמָמַ֫נִי Jeremiah 51:34 Qr (Kt הֲמָמָ֫נוּ), הֲמָמָם2Chronicles 15:6; 1 singular וְהַמֹּתִ֫י Exodus 23:27; Imperfect וַיָּ֫הָם Exodus 14:24; Judges 4:15; suffix וַיְּהֻמֵּם Joshua 10:10; 1 Samuel 7:10; Psalm 18:15 + 2 Samuel 22:15 Kt (doubtless right; Qr וַיָּהֹ֑ם); 2 masculine singular suffix וּתְהֻמֵּם Psalm 144:6; Infinitive suffix לְהֻמָּם Deuteronomy 2:15; Esther 9:24; — 1 move noisily, transitive, drive a wagon in threshing גִּלְגַּל עֶגְּלָתוֺ וּפָרָשָׁיו ׳ה Isaiah 28:28 ("" דושׁ). 2 confuse, discomfit, with accusative Exodus 14:24; Exodus 23:27; Joshua 10:10; Judges 4:15; 1 Samuel 7:10; Psalm 18:15 = 2 Samuel 22:15 ("" הפיץ), Psalm 144:6 ("" id.); discomfit, vex, 2 Chronicles 15:6 with accusative & בְּכָלצָֿרָה of instrumental; with accusative also Deuteronomy 2:15 (followed by עַד תֻּמָּם), Esther 9:24 (followed by לְאַבְּדָם); probably also Jeremiah 51:34 ("" אָכַל), compare הוּם Deuteronomy 7:23. Topical Lexicon Overview The Hebrew verb הָמַם (Strong’s 2000) portrays the Lord’s act of throwing an opposing force into panic, tumult, or thunderous upheaval. All fourteen occurrences describe God’s decisive intervention in human history, whether on the battlefield, within national affairs, or in the inner life of those who trust Him. The word consistently highlights divine supremacy, covenant faithfulness, and the futility of resistance to His purposes. Narrative Contexts in the Torah Exodus records two foundational uses that set the tone for every later occurrence. Conquest Narratives and the Book of Joshua Joshua 10:10 recounts one of the great coalition battles: “The LORD threw them into confusion before Israel, defeated them with a great slaughter at Gibeon …” This decisive rout validates Joshua’s obedience to the covenant decree to protect the Gibeonites and shows that divine intervention, not Israel’s valor, shifts the tide of war. The term often appears alongside hailstorms or extended daylight, reinforcing the motif that creation itself becomes God’s ally when He “hāmams” Israel’s foes. Role in the Period of the Judges and United Monarchy • Judges 4:15 depicts Sisera’s iron-chariot army collapsing under panic triggered by the LORD. Poetic Usage in the Psalms Psalm 18:14 and Psalm 144:6 weave the verb into royal thanksgiving and warfare liturgy. The psalmists perceive every past “hāmam” as a pledge of future help, allowing worship to function as both memory and prophetic hope. The imagery of divine arrows and lightning grounds the believer’s security in God’s unchanging character. Prophetic Nuances Isaiah 28:28 employs the verb metaphorically within an agricultural parable: grain is struck but not destroyed, signaling judgment that disciplines rather than annihilates. Jeremiah 51:34 uses it ironically; Babylon’s king has “devoured” Zion, but previous “hāmam” scenes assure readers that the oppressor will soon experience the same kind of panic he inflicted. Post-Exilic Reflection in Esther Esther 9:24 recalls how Haman sought to “destroy” the Jews, echoing earlier enemy agendas. Though the verb appears in a narrative digression, the festival of Purim becomes another memorial to the God who turns threats into confusion and plots into folly. Theological Significance 1. Divine Warrior Motif: Every appearance reinforces the image of the LORD as the One who personally fights for His people, wielding creation and circumstance as instruments of victory. Christological and Gospel Connections The cross and resurrection represent the climactic “hāmam” event of redemptive history—“Having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Colossians 2:15). Just as Egypt, Canaanite coalitions, and Philistines were confounded, so the spiritual forces of evil are thrown into irrevocable confusion at Calvary. Pastoral and Ministry Applications • Spiritual Warfare: Believers engage opposition confident that God still unsettles hostile powers. Prayer, like Samuel’s intercession, invites divine disruption of evil designs. Summary Strong’s 2000 הָמַם consistently portrays God overturning opposition through panic and thunderous confusion. From the Exodus to the Psalms, from prophetic oracle to post-exilic celebration, the verb showcases the Lord’s unmatched sovereignty, His covenant fidelity, and His gracious deliverance—assuring every generation that no foe can stand when the Almighty rises to intervene. Forms and Transliterations הֲמָמַ֗נִי הֲמָמָ֖ם הממם הממני וְ֠הָמַם וְהַמֹּתִי֙ וְהָמָם֙ וַיְהֻמֵּ֔ם וַיְהֻמֵּ֤ם וַיְהֻמֵּֽם׃ וַיָּ֕הָם וַיָּ֣הָם וַיָּהֹֽם׃ וּתְהֻמֵּֽם׃ והמם והמתי ויהם ויהם׃ ויהמם ויהמם׃ ותהמם׃ לְהֻמָּ֖ם להמם hă·mā·ma·nî hă·mā·mām hamaMam hămāmām hamaMani hămāmanî lə·hum·mām lehumMam ləhummām ū·ṯə·hum·mêm utehumMem ūṯəhummêm vaiYahom vayhumMem vehaMam vehammoTi way·hum·mêm way·yā·hām way·yā·hōm wayhummêm wayyāhām wayyāhōm wə·hā·mam wə·hā·mām wə·ham·mō·ṯî wəhāmam wəhāmām wəhammōṯîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 14:24 HEB: אֵ֖שׁ וְעָנָ֑ן וַיָּ֕הָם אֵ֖ת מַחֲנֵ֥ה NAS: and cloud and brought the army KJV: and of the cloud, and troubled the host INT: of fire and cloud and brought the army Egyptian Exodus 23:27 Deuteronomy 2:15 Deuteronomy 7:23 Joshua 10:10 Judges 4:15 1 Samuel 7:10 2 Samuel 22:15 2 Chronicles 15:6 Esther 9:24 Psalm 18:14 Psalm 144:6 Isaiah 28:28 Jeremiah 51:34 14 Occurrences |
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