What does שָׁמֵם (shāmēm) mean in the Bible?
שָׁמֵם (shāmēm): Devastation that numbs or stuns the observer; desolation as both physical destruction and psychological shock.
Hebrew · H8074
שָׁמֵם
To stun (or intransitively, grow numb ), i.e. devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)
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.
שָׁמֵם H8074
Pronunciation shāmēm
What does שָׁמֵם (shāmēm) mean in the Bible?
שָׁמֵם (shāmēm): Devastation that numbs or stuns the observer; desolation as both physical destruction and psychological shock.
Full entry for שָׁמֵם (H8074) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H8074?
The BSB source-word alignment has 86 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include will be appalled (6), are appalled (4), desolate (3), are deserted (2), in horror (2).
Where does שָׁמֵם (shāmēm) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Leviticus 26:22. Its strongest book concentrations include Ezekiel (23), Jeremiah (11), Isaiah (10), Daniel (8).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders It will be appalled 6× Leviticus 26:32, 1 Kings 9:8, 2 Chronicles 7:21, Jeremiah 18:16
are appalled 4× Job 17:8, Job 18:20, Ezekiel 27:35, Ezekiel 28:19
desolate 3× Ezekiel 29:12, Ezekiel 30:7, Ezekiel 36:35
are deserted 2× Isaiah 33:8, Lamentations 1:4
in horror 2× Ezra 9:3, Ezra 9:4
it lies desolate 2× Leviticus 26:34, Leviticus 26:35
of desolation 2× Daniel 11:31, Daniel 12:11
that causes desolation 2× Daniel 8:13, Daniel 9:27
the desolate 2× Isaiah 54:3, Ezekiel 36:34
will be made desolate 2× Jeremiah 49:20, Jeremiah 50:45
[him] 1× Daniel 9:27
and be appalled 1× Job 21:5
and desolate places 1× Isaiah 49:19
and devastated 1× Psalms 79:7
and empty 1× Ezekiel 32:15
and lay waste 1× Leviticus 26:31
appalled 1× Ezekiel 26:16
are destitute 1× Lamentations 4:5
are destroyed 1× Zephaniah 3:6
are in ruins 1× Joel 1:17
be appalled 1× Psalms 40:15
be deserted 1× Psalms 69:25
Be stunned 1× Jeremiah 2:12
became desolate 1× Ezekiel 35:15
by lying desolate 1× Leviticus 26:43
desolations 1× Daniel 9:26
destitute 1× Lamentations 1:16
devastated 1× Isaiah 61:4
He was amazed 1× Isaiah 59:16
I might devastate them 1× Ezekiel 20:26
I was appalled 1× Isaiah 63:5
I was confounded 1× Daniel 8:27
I will bring desolation 1× Ezekiel 30:12
I will destroy 1× Hosea 2:12
I will lay waste 1× Ezekiel 30:14
is dismayed 1× Psalms 143:4
is laid waste 1× Jeremiah 12:11
its desolate 1× Isaiah 49:8
lie desolate 1× Leviticus 26:22
of the desolate woman 1× Isaiah 54:1
of the desolation 1× 2 Chronicles 36:21
overwhelmed 1× Ezekiel 3:15
ravaging them 1× 1 Samuel 5:6
should you destroy yourself? 1× Ecclesiastes 7:16
that are deserted 1× Jeremiah 33:10
that was desolate 1× Ezekiel 36:35
the desolation 1× Daniel 9:18
the desolations 1× Isaiah 61:4
the ruined 1× Amos 9:14
They are desolate 1× Ezekiel 35:12
they have devastated 1× Jeremiah 10:25
they have made you desolate 1× Ezekiel 36:3
they will be appalled 1× Ezekiel 4:17
They will be desolate 1× Ezekiel 30:7
to be appalled 1× Ezekiel 32:10
to ruin you 1× Micah 6:13
was laid waste 1× Ezekiel 25:3
was left desolate 1× Zechariah 7:14
We demolished them 1× Numbers 21:30
were appalled 1× Isaiah 52:14
what was desolate 1× Ezekiel 36:36
which lies desolate 1× Lamentations 5:18
will be demolished 1× Ezekiel 6:4
will be deserted 1× Amos 7:9
will be horrified 1× Jeremiah 50:13
will become desolate 1× Ezekiel 33:28
will lay waste 1× Leviticus 26:32
will tremble in fear 1× Jeremiah 4:9
You have devastated 1× Job 16:7
Show sample aligned rows
Leviticus 26:22 וְנָשַׁ֖מּוּ to lie desolate Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural Leviticus 26:31 וַהֲשִׁמּוֹתִ֖י to and lay waste Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular Leviticus 26:32 וַהֲשִׁמֹּתִ֥י to will lay waste Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular Leviticus 26:32 וְשָֽׁמְמ֤וּ to will be appalled Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural Leviticus 26:34 הֳשַׁמָּ֔ה to it lies desolate Verb - Hofal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine singular Leviticus 26:35 הָשַּׁמָּ֖ה to it lies desolate Verb - Hofal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine singular Leviticus 26:43 בָּהְשַׁמָּה֙ to by lying desolate Preposition-b | Verb - Hofal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine singular Numbers 21:30 וַנַּשִּׁ֣ים to We demolished them Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - first person common plural 1 Samuel 5:6 וַיְשִׁמֵּ֑ם to ravaging them Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural 1 Kings 9:8 יִשֹּׁ֣ם to will be appalled Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned row Leviticus 26:22
Aligned rows 86
Books represented 20
Leviticus 7 Numbers 1 1 Samuel 1 1 Kings 1 2 Chronicles 2 Ezra 2 Job 4 Psalms 4 Ecclesiastes 1 Isaiah 10 Jeremiah 11 Lamentations 4 Ezekiel 23 Daniel 8 Hosea 1 Joel 1 Amos 2 Micah 1 Zephaniah 1 Zechariah 1
Source forms
וְנָשַׁ֙מּוּ֙ 4x wə·nā·šam·mū Jeremiah 4:9, Ezekiel 4:17, Ezekiel 6:4, Amos 7:9
יִשֹּׁ֥ם 3x yiš·šōm Jeremiah 19:8, Jeremiah 49:17, Jeremiah 50:13
יַשִּׁ֛ים 2x yaš·šîm Jeremiah 49:20, Jeremiah 50:45
מְשׁוֹמֵֽם׃ 2x mə·šō·w·mêm Ezra 9:3, Daniel 11:31
נָשַׁ֣מּוּ 2x nā·šam·mū Job 18:20, Isaiah 33:8
נָשַׁ֙מּוּ֙ 2x nā·šam·mū Joel 1:17, Zephaniah 3:6
שָׁמְמ֖וּ 2x šā·mə·mū Ezekiel 27:35, Ezekiel 28:19
שֹׁמֵמֽוֹת׃ 2x šō·mê·mō·wṯ Isaiah 49:8, Daniel 9:26
Parsing patterns
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular 6x Leviticus 26:31, Leviticus 26:32, Ezekiel 30:12, Ezekiel 30:14
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural 6x Leviticus 26:22, Jeremiah 4:9, Ezekiel 4:17, Ezekiel 6:4
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular 6x 1 Kings 9:8, 2 Chronicles 7:21, Jeremiah 18:16, Jeremiah 19:8
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural 5x Job 18:20, Isaiah 33:8, Lamentations 4:5, Joel 1:17
Verb - Nifal - Participle - feminine plural 4x Isaiah 54:3, Ezekiel 29:12, Ezekiel 30:7, Amos 9:14
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular 4x Ezra 9:3, Ezra 9:4, Daniel 9:27, Daniel 11:31
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural 4x Isaiah 52:14, Ezekiel 27:35, Ezekiel 28:19, Ezekiel 35:12
Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - feminine singular 3x Ezekiel 36:34, Ezekiel 36:35, Ezekiel 36:36
Evidence Summary
Revelation
Hebrew word. Devastation that numbs or stuns the observer; desolation as both physical destruction and psychological shock.
Strong's H8074
Lexical occurrences 86 verses Word forms 5 forms 51 references Verse guides 0 guides
Study link Isaiah 13:17-22 Source Gloss
to stun (or intransitively, grow numb ), i.e. devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)
Extended definition Source: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Devastation that numbs or stuns the observer; desolation as both physical destruction and psychological shock.
to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e. devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense) BDB: be desolated Usage: make amazed, be astonied, (be an) astonish(-ment), (be, bring into, unto, lay, lie, make) desolate(-ion, places), be destitute, destroy (self), (lay, lie, make) waste, wonder.
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×
Selected Scripture Witnesses
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Old Testament Witnesses
To be devastated or laid waste.
To be devastated or laid waste.
Showing 2 selected witnesses from 86 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
שָׁמֵם is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Why This Word Matters
The word conveys the total and lasting character of Babylon’s ruin. Isaiah 13:17-22
The term underscores the completeness of judgment. Isaiah 15:1-9
Canonical Themes
Revelation
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.
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