הֵידָד
acclamation
Definition
הֵידָד refers to a loud, celebratory shout or acclamation, often associated with joy, triumph, or revelry. In Isaiah 16:9-10, it describes the shouts of joy that have ceased from the vineyards of Moab, indicating a context of harvest celebration. However, in Jeremiah 48:33 and Jeremiah 51:14, the word is used ironically for the shouts of battle or destruction that will replace joyful cries. In Jeremiah 25:30, it depicts God's roar of judgment against the nations, showing the word can also convey a powerful, authoritative proclamation.
Biblical Usage
This noun appears five times, exclusively in the prophetic books of Isaiah and Jeremiah. It is used in contexts of both joyful celebration (Isaiah 16:9-10, regarding vineyard harvests) and divine judgment (Jeremiah 25:30; 48:33; 51:14). A pattern emerges where the prophets contrast or replace joyful shouting with shouts of alarm or destruction, using the same word to highlight a reversal of fortune.
Etymology
Derived from an unused Hebrew root meaning 'to shout.' It is related to the verb הָדַד (hādad, H1921), which means 'to shout aloud' or 'to make a noise,' often in contexts of alarm or battle. The noun form הֵידָד specifically captures the sound or act of shouting itself.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it illustrates God's sovereignty over human emotions and events. The prophets use it to show how God can turn celebration into mourning (Jeremiah 48:33) and how His own voice roars in judgment (Jeremiah 25:30). Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting the prophetic irony and the serious reality that all human joy is subject to God's ultimate authority and justice.
In ancient Israelite and Near Eastern culture, loud shouts (הֵידָד) were common in agricultural settings, particularly during grape harvests and wine-making, expressing communal joy and thanksgiving. They were also used in military contexts for rallying troops or celebrating victory. The prophetic usage would resonate with an audience familiar with these dual associations of triumph and alarm.
תְּרוּעָה (terûʿâ, H8643) — a blast or shout, often specifically a war-cry or signal from a trumpet. רִנָּה (rinnâ, H7440) — a cry of joy or singing, usually in a religious context of praise.
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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