Original Word: עָלַם
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: alam
Pronunciation: ah-lahm
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-lam')
Definition: To conceal, hide, be hidden, be secret
Meaning: to tie fast, to be tongue-tied

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - G2928 (κρύπτω, krypto): To hide, conceal

- G613 (ἀποκρύπτω, apokrypto): To hide away, conceal

Usage: The Hebrew verb "alam" primarily means to conceal or hide. It is used in various contexts in the Old Testament to describe the act of hiding something physically or metaphorically. This can refer to hiding objects, concealing information, or even the hidden nature of certain truths or mysteries.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Hebrew culture, the concept of hiding or concealing was significant both in daily life and in spiritual contexts. The act of hiding could be protective, as in hiding from danger, or it could be deceptive, as in concealing one's intentions. Theologically, the hidden things of God were often seen as mysteries to be revealed in His timing, reflecting the belief in God's omniscience and the limitations of human understanding.

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
to bind
NASB Translation
became speechless (1), become mute (1), binding (1), mute (4), silent (1), speechless (1).

[אָלַם] verb bind (perhaps compare Assyrian [al¹mu], almattu, fortress Dl in Zim^{BP 114} & in BD^Ezek.:xi; Arabic be in pain, Aramaic retain anger).

Niph`al (be bound =) be dumb, Perfect3feminine singular נֶאֱלָ֑מָה Isaiah 53:7; וְנֶאֱלַמְתָּ֫ Ezekiel 3:26, etc.; Imperfect2masculine singular תֵּאָלֵם Ezekiel 24:27; 3feminine plural תֵּאָלַמְנָה Psalm 31:19. — 1 be dumb, i.e. silent Psalm 39:3 דוּמִיָּה ׳נ ("" הֶחֱשֵׁיתִי); compare Psalm 39:10 ("" לֹא אֶפְתַּחמִּֿי); simile of sheep Isaiah 53:7 ("" id.); be dumb, i.e. unable to speak Ezekiel 3:26 (result of וּלְשׁוֺנְךָ אַדְבִּיק אֶלחִֿכָּ֑ךָ) compare Ezekiel 24:27 יִמָּתַח מִּיךָ ֗֗֗ וּתְדַבֵּר וְלֹא תֵאָלֵם עוֺד; Ezekiel 33:22 וַיִּפְתַּח מִּי וְלֹא נֶאֱלַמְתִּי עוֺד; also Daniel 10:15 (compare Daniel 10:16); be made dumb subject שִׂפְתֵי שָׁ֑קֶר lying lips Psalm 31:19 ("" יִדְּמוּ לִשְׁאוֺל Psalm 31:18).

Pi`el Participle bind Genesis 37:7 (E) מְאַלְּמִים אֲלֻמִּים binding sheaves.

bind, be dumb, put to silence

A primitive root; to tie fast; hence (of the mouth) to be tongue-tied -- bind, be dumb, put to silence.

וְנֶֽאֱלַ֔מְתָּ וְנֶאֱלָֽמְתִּי׃ ונאלמת ונאלמתי׃ מְאַלְּמִ֤ים מאלמים נֶ֭אֱלַמְתִּי נֶאֱלַ֖מְתִּי נֶאֱלַ֣מְתִּי נֶאֱלָ֑מָה נאלמה נאלמתי תֵּ֥אָלַ֗מְנָה תֵֽאָלֵ֖ם תאלם תאלמנה mə’alləmîm mə·’al·lə·mîm mealleMim ne’ĕlāmāh ne’ĕlamtî ne·’ĕ·lā·māh ne·’ĕ·lam·tî neeLamah neeLamti tê’ālamnāh ṯê’ālêm tê·’ā·lam·nāh ṯê·’ā·lêm teaLamnah teaLem veneeLameti veneeLamta wə·ne·’ĕ·lā·mə·tî wə·ne·’ĕ·lam·tā wəne’ĕlāmətî wəne’ĕlamtāInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts