Lexical Summary maamaqqim: Depths Original Word: מַעֲמָק Strong's Exhaustive Concordance deep, depth From amaq; a deep -- deep, depth. see HEBREW amaq NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom amoq Definition depths NASB Translation deep (2), depths (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַעֲמַקִּים noun masculine plural depths; — absolute ׳מ Psalm 130:1 (figurative); construct literal מַעֲמַקֵּייָֿם Isaiah 51:10; figurative מַיִם ׳מ Ezekiel 27:34 (fall of Tyre), Psalm 69:3; Psalm 69:15 (distress). I. עמר (√ of following; meaning dubious, perhaps related to Arabic Topical Lexicon Theological Overview מַעֲמָק portrays physical and spiritual “depths”—places that swallow, overwhelm, or conceal. Scripture pairs this term with cries for salvation or with judgments that engulf the wicked. Because the same word can describe both the chaos of the sea and the abyss of human despair, it becomes a rich symbol for the gravity of sin, the breadth of divine redemption, and the infinite reach of covenant mercy. Occurrences in the Canon 1. Psalm 69:2, 14 Themes of Distress and Deliverance • Penitential Prayer: “Out of the depths I cry to You, O LORD!” (Psalm 130:1). The psalmist links the lowest human condition with hopeful petition; the deeper the pit, the surer the expectation that the LORD will hear. Intercession and Worship Mַעֲמָק fuels authentic worship by compelling the faithful to voice need with transparency. Confession, lament, and praise intertwine; the one who confesses from the depths will later exalt the God who “raises the poor from the dust” (Psalm 113:7). Congregational reading of Psalm 130 in liturgical traditions illustrates how communal hope rises from a shared acknowledgment of profound need. Prophetic and Eschatological Resonances The Old Testament pattern—depths conquered, captives liberated—anticipates the final victory when “the sea will give up its dead” (Revelation 20:13). The term therefore contributes to a biblical trajectory from chaos to new creation, assuring readers that no depth—literal or figurative—can resist the Creator’s command. Practical Ministry Applications • Pastoral Care: Encourage believers to articulate despair without fear; Scripture validates such language and directs it toward God. Conclusion מַעֲמָק reminds every generation that human extremity is God’s opportunity. Whether the depths represent personal guilt, collective calamity, or cosmic chaos, the Lord who parts seas and raises the fallen can be trusted to answer every cry that rises from the deep. Forms and Transliterations בְּמַֽעֲמַקֵּי־ בְמַעֲמַקֵּי־ במעמקי־ וּמִמַּֽעֲמַקֵּי־ וממעמקי־ מִמַּעֲמַקִּ֖ים מַֽעֲמַקֵּי־ ממעמקים מעמקי־ bə·ma·‘ă·maq·qê- ḇə·ma·‘ă·maq·qê- bəma‘ămaqqê- ḇəma‘ămaqqê- bemaamakkei ma‘ămaqqê- ma·‘ă·maq·qê- maamakkei mim·ma·‘ă·maq·qîm mimaamakKim mimma‘ămaqqîm ū·mim·ma·‘ă·maq·qê- umimaamakkei ūmimma‘ămaqqê- vemaamakkeiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 69:2 HEB: מָעֳמָ֑ד בָּ֥אתִי בְמַעֲמַקֵּי־ מַ֝֗יִם וְשִׁבֹּ֥לֶת NAS: I have come into deep waters, KJV: I am come into deep waters, INT: foothold have come deep waters the floods Psalm 69:14 Psalm 130:1 Isaiah 51:10 Ezekiel 27:34 5 Occurrences |
    |
be abundant (of water), surpass, overtop; Late Hebrew עוֺמֶר, עָמִיר = Biblical Hebrew; ᵑ7 עָוּמְרָא, עֲמִירָא = Biblical Hebrew I. עֹמֶר).