הַשְׁמָעוּת
announcement
Definition
The Hebrew noun הַשְׁמָעוּת (hashmâʻûwth) refers to a formal announcement or proclamation, specifically one that is made to be heard by an audience. It denotes the act of causing someone to hear a message, often with an official or urgent tone. In its sole biblical occurrence in Ezekiel 24:26, it describes the specific news of Jerusalem's fall being delivered to the prophet Ezekiel. The word implies not just the content of the message but the deliberate act of its declaration.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Ezekiel 24:26. It appears in a prophetic context where God informs Ezekiel that on the day Jerusalem falls, a survivor will come to him with the 'hashmâʻûwth'—the announcement of the city's capture. The usage is highly specific, tied to a momentous historical and theological event being formally reported.
Etymology
Derived from the root שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085), meaning 'to hear,' 'to listen,' or 'to obey.' The noun form הַשְׁמָעוּת is a Hiphil (causative) formation, literally meaning 'a causing to hear' or 'that which is made to be heard.' It is related to the common verb for hearing, emphasizing the active process of proclamation.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, this word is theologically significant as it marks the mechanism for delivering a pivotal divine judgment. In Ezekiel 24:26, the 'announcement' is the human means by which the prophet—and thus the exiles—receives confirmation of God's prophesied action against Jerusalem. Understanding this term highlights the connection between prophetic word and historical fulfillment, showing how God uses human messengers to verify His sovereign decrees. It enriches reading by emphasizing the weight and intentionality behind the communication of God's acts in history.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, especially in contexts of war or royal decree, formal announcements by messengers were a primary method of disseminating critical news. The term implies an official report, not casual gossip. The arrival of a messenger with such an 'announcement' would command immediate and solemn attention, which fits the grave context of Jerusalem's destruction.
קוֹל (qôl, H6963) — a more general term for 'voice' or 'sound,' not necessarily a formal proclamation. בְּשׂוֹרָה (bĕsôrâh, H1309) — often 'good news' or tidings, whereas hashmâʻûwth is neutral, simply an announcement. כְּרוּז (kĕrûwz, H5678) — a proclamation or herald's cry, but used in contexts like Proverbs (e.g., Proverbs 1:21) and Esther, often public.
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.
Full methodology & sources →