1998. hemyah
Lexical Summary
hemyah: Murmuring, roaring, sound

Original Word: הֶמְיָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: hemyah
Pronunciation: heh-my-YAH
Phonetic Spelling: (hem-yaw')
KJV: noise
NASB: music
Word Origin: [from H1993 (הָמָה - roar)]

1. sound

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
noise

From hamah; sound -- noise.

see HEBREW hamah

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from hamon
Definition
a sound, music
NASB Translation
music (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
[הֶמְיָה] noun feminine sound, music, of instruments הֶמְיַת נְבָלֶ֑יךָ Isaiah 14:11.

Topical Lexicon
Overview of Biblical Occurrence

The word הֶמְיָה appears a single time in Scripture, Isaiah 14:11. Its rarity gives it a concentrated force, inviting careful attention to its setting and message.

Textual Setting (Isaiah 14:11)

“Your pomp and the music of your harps have been brought down to Sheol; maggots make your bed and worms cover you.”

Here הֶמְיָה is rendered “music,” capturing the reverberating din of harps once heard in royal halls. In an instant that sound is silenced, dragged down with the fallen king to the realm of the dead.

Semantic Range and Imagery

Though occurring only once, the term evokes:
• Resonant, throbbing tones of stringed instruments
• Festive or triumphal noise associated with royal self-glorification
• A hollow, fading moan once judgment falls

By pairing the word with “pomp,” Isaiah exposes the fragility of earthly grandeur. The very music that broadcasted power becomes a faint echo swallowed by corruption.

Context within Isaiah 14

Isaiah 14 is a taunt song against the king of Babylon—an oracle that also foreshadows the fate of every God-opposing power. The prophet pictures the ruler descending to Sheol, greeted by the dead he once terrorized. The mention of הֶמְיָה highlights three motifs:

1. Reversal: Triumph turns to torment (Isaiah 14:4–8).
2. Silence: Festive sound is replaced by the hush of the grave.
3. Corruption: Music yields to maggots and worms, underlining the physical and moral decay accompanying divine judgment.

Thematic Connections in Scripture

While הֶמְיָה itself is unique, its themes resonate broadly:
• Divine silencing of arrogant song (Ezekiel 26:13; Revelation 18:22).
• The fall of Babylon as prototype for future judgment (Jeremiah 51:37; Revelation 14:8).
• Contrasting music of the redeemed (Revelation 5:9; Revelation 14:2–3), where harps resound eternally in praise, not pride.

Historical and Prophetic Significance

Historically, Isaiah spoke into Assyrian dominance, yet envisioned Babylon’s later rise and fall. הֶמְיָה captures the essence of Babylonian culture—lavish banquets accompanied by harps—only to reveal its transient nature. Prophetically, the word anticipates every empire’s demise when confronted by the holiness of God.

Practical Ministry Insights

1. Worship Discernment: Music can exalt either God or self. הֶמְיָה warns against art that magnifies human pride.
2. Mortality Reminder: Even the most celebrated cultural achievements cannot outlast God’s verdict.
3. Evangelistic Appeal: The silenced harp underscores humanity’s need for the one melody that endures—redemption in Christ.

Christological and Eschatological Resonances

Isaiah’s dirge sets the stage for the Messiah who humbles the proud and raises the lowly (Luke 1:52). At the cross, worldly pomp is exposed, and at the Second Coming all rebellious music will cease, replaced by the new song of the Lamb (Revelation 15:3).

Devotional Reflection

The lone occurrence of הֶמְיָה reminds believers that every earthly sound eventually fades. Invest in the worship that will never be silenced: “Sing to the LORD a new song” (Psalm 96:1).

Forms and Transliterations
הֶמְיַ֣ת המית hem·yaṯ hemYat hemyaṯ
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Isaiah 14:11
HEB: שְׁא֛וֹל גְּאוֹנֶ֖ךָ הֶמְיַ֣ת נְבָלֶ֑יךָ תַּחְתֶּ֙יךָ֙
NAS: Your pomp [and] the music of your harps
KJV: to the grave, [and] the noise of thy viols:
INT: to Sheol your pomp the music of your harps beneath

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 1998
1 Occurrence


hem·yaṯ — 1 Occ.

1997
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