דְּמִי

דְּמִי

quiet

Definition

The Hebrew noun דְּמִי (dᵉmîy) primarily denotes a state of quietness or stillness, but its meaning varies subtly by context. In Psalm 83:1, it carries the sense of 'silence' or 'rest,' as the psalmist pleads for God not to remain quiet in the face of enemies. In Isaiah 38:10, it is used metaphorically for the 'cutting off' or 'cessation' of life, describing King Hezekiah's lament as he faces death. In Isaiah 62:6-7, the word refers to a state of 'rest' or 'quiet' that the watchmen on Jerusalem's walls are commanded not to give God, urging persistent prayer until God establishes Jerusalem.

Biblical Usage

This word appears only four times in the Old Testament, exclusively in poetic books (Psalms and Isaiah). Its usage spans two key contexts: a plea for God to break His silence in a time of crisis (Psalm 83:1) and descriptions of cessation—either of life (Isaiah 38:10) or of intercessory vigilance (Isaiah 62:6-7). The pattern shows it is employed for dramatic, often urgent, contrasts between activity and stillness.

Etymology

Derived from the root דָּמָה (H1820), meaning 'to be silent, cease, perish.' This root conveys stopping, becoming still, or being cut off. דְּמִי is a noun form capturing the resulting state—silence, rest, or cessation. Cognates in other Semitic languages also relate to silence and stillness.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it touches on divine responsiveness and human perseverance. In Psalm 83:1, God's 'quiet' is not passive but a withholding of intervention, raising questions about His timing in justice. In Isaiah 62:6-7, the command to give God 'no quiet' underscores the theology of persistent, covenantal prayer, linking human vigilance to God's promises. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting the tension between divine silence and the call for unwavering intercession. In ancient Israelite culture, silence or quiet (דְּמִי) could signify peace and rest, but also disfavor or abandonment, as when God was silent. The watchmen in Isaiah 62:6-7 reflect a role of vigilant protection and intercession, where their refusal to be 'quiet' was a active, communal act of faith, urging God to fulfill His promises to Jerusalem. שָׁקַט (shāqat, H8252) — emphasizes a state of being quiet, at rest, or peaceful, often in a settled, literal sense. דּוּמִיָּה (dûmîyâ, H1747) — denotes a silence that is expectant or waiting, like a hushed stillness. חָרֶשׁ (ḥāresh, H2790) — refers to keeping silent or holding one's peace, often as a deliberate act.

Word Details