Aramaic Word Study for Today

Andre Moubarak
Jun 4
2 min read

ܬܡܝܗܐ (tamīhā)

Meaning: Amazement, astonishment, wonder

Linguistic Breakdown:

Root: ܬ–ܡ–ܗ (T–M–H)This triliteral root carries the semantic field of being bewildered, dumbfounded, or struck with wonder.It appears across dialects of Aramaic (Biblical, Jewish Babylonian, Syriac) with shades of emotional and cognitive reaction to something extraordinary.
Form:
- The form "ܬܡܝܗܐ" is a noun, abstract in form and feminine in grammatical gender.
- Common verbal derivative: ܐܬܬܡܗ (ʾettemah), “he was amazed.”
- Syriac verb form: ܬܡܗ (tamah), "to marvel" or "to be astonished."

Lexical Use in Syriac Peshitta:

Luke 4:36 (Peshitta):
ܘܬܡܗܘ ܟܠܗܘܢ ܐܢܫܐ ܘܡܡܠܠܝܢ ܗܘܘ ܒܝܢܝܗܘܢ“And all were amazed and spoke among themselves…”

Here, the verb ܬܡܗ conveys a divine-induced astonishment—not just surprise, but a numinous awe triggered by witnessing power beyond comprehension.

Historical Usage & Cultural Connotation:

In Second Temple Aramaic, this root was employed in apocalyptic and mystical texts (like Enochic literature) to describe the human response to angelic visions or divine revelations.
In Targumic Aramaic, it was used to express how the nations react to the miraculous deliverance or judgment of YHWH—a reaction of sacred wonder.

Theological Reflection:

In Aramaic spirituality, ܬܡܝܗܐ (tamīhā) represents more than just being surprised—it reflects the proper human response to divine encounter. The prophets, apostles, and seers in Scripture often react with "tamīhā" when confronted with the holy presence or miraculous works of God.

It signifies a moment of sacred interruption—where human logic pauses before divine glory.