What does שָׁמֵם · ἐρημόω mean in the Bible?
שָׁמֵם · ἐρημόω is a Hebrew phrase meaning "to become ruined or devastated".
Hebrew · H8074, G2049
שָׁמֵם
To stun (or intransitively, grow numb ), i.e. devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense) · to lay waste (literally or figuratively)
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through the Connect page. Screenshots are helpful.
Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
שָׁמֵם H8074 to stun (or intransitively, grow numb ), i.e. devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)
Pronunciation shāmēm
Devastation that numbs or stuns the observer; desolation as both physical destruction and psychological shock.
Open lexicon entry →
ἐρημόω G2049 to lay waste (literally or figuratively)
Pronunciation erēmóō
Open lexicon entry →
What does שָׁמֵם (shamem) mean in the Bible?
שָׁמֵם · ἐρημόω is a Hebrew phrase meaning "to become ruined or devastated".
Full entry for שָׁמֵם (H8074, G2049) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for H8074, G2049?
H8074, G2049 is connected to 86 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew phrase. to become ruined or devastated
Source Gloss
to become ruined or devastated
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups 5 Aligned forms 51
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 26×
Participle active Dan 8:13 · Dan 9:26 · Dan 9:27 · Dan 12:11 · Isa 49:8 · Isa 54:1 · Isa 61:4 · Lam 1:4 · Lam 1:16 10×
Imperfect 1Kgs 9:8 · 2Chr 7:21 · Jer 18:16 · Jer 19:8 · Jer 49:17 · Jer 50:13 · Job 17:8 · Ps 40:16 8×
Perfect Ezek 27:35 · Ezek 28:19 · Ezek 35:12 · Isa 52:14 · Ezek 35:15 6×
Infinitive construct Ezek 36:3 1×
Sequential imperfect Jer 2:12 1×
Niphal passive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action 12×
Perfect Isa 33:8 · Job 18:20 · Joel 1:17 · Lam 4:5 · Zeph 3:6 · Ezek 25:3 · Jer 12:11 7×
Participle active Amos 9:14 · Ezek 29:12 · Ezek 30:7 · Isa 54:3 · Ps 69:26 5×
Poel 4×
Participle active Dan 9:27 · Dan 11:31 2×
Participle passive Ezra 9:3 · Ezra 9:4 2×
Hiphil causative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action 7×
Perfect Jer 10:25 · Ps 79:7 · Job 16:7 3×
Imperfect Jer 49:20 · Jer 50:45 2×
Participle active Ezek 3:15 1×
Infinitive absolute Mic 6:13 1×
Hithpolel 2×
Imperfect Eccl 7:16 · Ps 143:4 2×
Word Origins
שָׁמֵם is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain