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H2003 · Hebrew · Old Testament
הֲמַסָּס
Hamasas
Noun, masculine
dry tinder, kindling, withered grass

Definition

The rare Hebrew noun hamasas refers to dry, withered material — tinder or kindling that is easily consumed by fire. It appears in Isaiah 64:2 in the context of God's awesome theophanic fire that causes mountains to melt. The word captures extreme dryness and combustibility.

Usage & Theological Significance

Hamasas (dry kindling) appears in one of Scripture's most powerful prayers for divine intervention (Isaiah 63:15–64:12). Isaiah pleads for God to come down as he did at Sinai — making mountains melt like hamasas before fire. The image is of utter helplessness before divine power. Theologically, it teaches that without God, all human strength and resistance is as dry tinder — instantly consumed in the presence of the Holy One.

Key Bible Verses

Isaiah 64:2 As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil, come down to make your name known to your enemies.
Isaiah 40:6 All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.
Psalm 83:13 Make them like tumbleweed, my God, like chaff before the wind.
Isaiah 5:24 Therefore, as tongues of fire lick up straw and as dry grass sinks down in the flames.
Nahum 1:10 They will be entangled among thorns and drunk from their wine; they will be consumed like dry stubble.

Related Words

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