Lexical Summary shimmamon: Desolation, Appallment Original Word: שִׁמָּמוֹן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance astonishment From shamem; stupefaction -- astonishment. see HEBREW shamem NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom shamem Definition horror NASB Translation horror (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs שִׁמָּמוֺן noun [masculine] appalment, horror (BaNB 324 336; another view LagBN 202, 203); — absolute Ezekiel 4:16 drink water ׳בְּשׁ, so Ezekiel 12:19. Topical Lexicon Definition and Conceptual Overview Shimmamon denotes the emotional collapse that sets in when life-sustaining resources crumble. It speaks not merely of surprise but of numbing desolation, the stunned despair that accompanies covenant judgment. The term arises from the verb that describes a land left waste and people left speechless; in context it portrays the inward ruin that mirrors outward devastation. Occurrences in Ezekiel’s Prophecies 1. Ezekiel 4:16 presents the siege of Jerusalem enacted in miniature. Bread is rationed “in anxiety,” and water is consumed “in despair”. Shimmamon underlines that the coming famine will shatter the people’s spirit as surely as it empties their tables. Historical Setting Both prophecies lie between the second and third Babylonian deportations (circa 592–587 B.C.). Political alliance with Egypt, idolatry in the Temple, and social violence had breached covenant faithfulness. The Babylonian siege cut supply lines, and starvation eroded morale. Shimmamon captures the psychology of a city watching the promises attached to Zion appear to fail—though, in reality, it was Israel’s unfaithfulness, not the Lord’s, that produced the crisis. Prophetic Theology Shimmamon clarifies the nature of divine judgment: it is comprehensive, reaching both body and soul. Ezekiel’s oracles trace a progression: covenant violation → physical deprivation → inward despair. The sequence vindicates the holiness of God who warned Israel in Leviticus 26:33-39 and Deuteronomy 28:53-57 that persistent rebellion would culminate in siege and astonishment. Yet Ezekiel also promises restoration (Ezekiel 36:24-30), showing that despair is not God’s last word. Ministry and Pastoral Insights • Shimmamon reminds preachers that sin’s consequences are more than external; they shatter hope. Connections to the Redemptive Narrative The ultimate answer to shimmamon is found in the Messiah who bore the full weight of covenant curse (Galatians 3:13). At the cross, Jesus Christ entered the deepest human desolation (“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Matthew 27:46), securing everlasting consolation for all who believe. In Him, despair gives way to “a living hope” (1 Peter 1:3). Contemporary Relevance Shimmamon cautions churches against complacency. Societal structures can collapse quickly when righteousness is ignored. The term urges vigilance, compassion for the despairing, and bold proclamation of the gospel that alone turns astonishment into assurance. Forms and Transliterations בְּשִׁמָּמ֣וֹן בשממון וּבְשִׁמָּמ֖וֹן ובשממון bə·šim·mā·mō·wn beshimmaMon bəšimmāmōwn ū·ḇə·šim·mā·mō·wn ūḇəšimmāmōwn uveshimmaMonLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezekiel 4:16 HEB: וּמַ֕יִם בִּמְשׂוּרָ֥ה וּבְשִׁמָּמ֖וֹן יִשְׁתּֽוּ׃ NAS: water by measure and in horror, KJV: by measure, and with astonishment: INT: water measure horror and drink Ezekiel 12:19 2 Occurrences |
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