דֶּמַע
a tear; figuratively, juice
Definition
The Hebrew noun דֶּמַע (demaʻ) primarily means 'a tear' as in the liquid produced by weeping. However, in its single biblical occurrence, it is used in a figurative agricultural sense to refer to the 'juice' or 'liquor' of pressed grapes or olives—the rich, extracted liquid from the first fruits. This dual sense connects human emotion (tears) with agricultural produce (juice), both seen as precious liquids. The figurative meaning is explicitly used in Exodus 22:29 (22:28 in some English versions).
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Exodus 22:29. In this legal context, it refers to the 'juice' or 'liquor' of pressed grapes or olives that Israelites were to offer as part of their firstfruits to God. The usage is agricultural and cultic, specifying a type of offering. There is no biblical instance where it is used in its literal sense of 'tears,' though that meaning is attested in the root and related words.
Etymology
Derived from the root verb דָּמַע (dāmaʻ, H1830), which means 'to weep.' The noun form דֶּמַע thus fundamentally denotes 'that which is wept'—a tear. Its application to 'juice' is a metaphorical extension, viewing the pressed liquid of fruit as the 'tears' or precious exudate of the produce. Cognates in other Semitic languages also relate to dripping or flowing liquid.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, this word is theologically significant as it connects the concept of offering to God with something precious and foundational—the very first and best produce, symbolized by its essential 'juice.' It underscores the principle of giving God our first and finest (Proverbs 3:9), not the leftovers. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting how the law valued the essence of the harvest, and it creates a poignant link between human tears of devotion and the liquid sacrifice of the land.
In ancient Israelite agriculture, the 'juice' or 'liquor' (demaʻ) of grapes and olives represented the most valuable, concentrated product of the harvest, used for wine, oil, and offerings. Offering this first extract was a tangible act of recognizing God's provision and sovereignty over the land's productivity. The metaphorical leap from 'tears' to 'juice' reflects a cultural view of precious liquids as expressions of essence—whether of grief or of fruitful labor.
דִּמְעָה (dimʻâ, H1832) — The more common biblical word for 'tear,' always used literally for weeping. נֶתַח (netaḥ, H1834) — Refers to juice or liquor in a more general sense, but not specifically tied to the firstfruits offering.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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