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אוּלָם

𐤀𐤅𐤋𐤌

ʼûwlâm

H199 adverb

SILEX Entry

Definition

An emphatic particle indicating contrast or affirmation, commonly used to introduce statements that clarify, assert, or qualify what precedes. It appears at the opening of clauses to signal a marked transition ("however," "but") or to stress certainty or actuality ("indeed," "truly," "surely").

Semantic Range

however, but, on the contrary, nevertheless, indeed, surely, truly, in truth, as for; emphatic or contrastive discourse marker

Root / Etymology

Root uncertain. While Strong's connects אוּלָם to אול (possibly with the adverbial ending -ָם), modern scholarship treats אוּלָם as distinct from אוּלַי ('perhaps'), functioning primarily as a discourse particle with contrastive or emphatic force. Its precise etymology is not fully established.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Biblical Hebrew, אוּלָם frequently marks the beginning of a new clause that qualifies, corrects, or intensifies a previous statement. It is often rendered in English as "but", "however", or "indeed", but such translations may obscure its discourse function, which can encompass both contrast and affirmation depending on context. Its use is chiefly found in narrative and discourse to highlight a significant transition or to affirm the certainty of an assertion (e.g., Gen 18:20; 1 Kgs 8:27). The term is not related semantically to אוּלַי ('perhaps'), despite phonetic similarity. In later Hebrew periods, its use as a discourse marker diminishes, retaining prominence primarily in biblical and some post-biblical writings.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

apparently a variation of אוּלַי; however or on the contrary; as for, but, howbeit, in very deed, surely, truly, wherefore.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

אלם (ʾ-l-m) — to bind, to join, to tie together

Root אול (uncertain) uncertain; possible root meanings include 'to be strong' or 'to advance' but this is speculative
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H193 אוּל bound entry-hall of
H197 אוּלָם in the entrance hall
H198 אוּלָם bound entrance-hall of
H481 אָלַם those who silence
H482 אֵלֶם muteness

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H199-02 וְ/אוּלָ֗ם veulam HC/D but surely and indeed but indeed 16
H199-01 אוּלָם֙ ulam HD but bound entrance-hall of however 3

Occurrences in Scripture

19 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H199-02 Genesis 28:19 וְ/אוּלָ֛ם veulam HC/D however and indeed however
H199-02 Genesis 48:19 וְ/אוּלָ֗ם veulam HC/D Nevertheless and indeed but indeed
H199-02 Exodus 9:16 וְ/אוּלָ֗ם veulam HC/D But indeed and indeed but indeed
H199-02 Numbers 14:21 וְ/אוּלָ֖ם veulam HC/D but truly and indeed but truly
H199-02 Judges 18:29 וְ/אוּלָ֛ם veulam HC/D however and indeed but
H199-02 1 Samuel 20:3 וְ/אוּלָ֗ם veulam HC/D but truly and indeed and indeed
H199-02 1 Samuel 25:34 וְ/אוּלָ֗ם veulam HC/D Nevertheless and indeed and indeed
H199-02 1 Kings 20:23 וְ/אוּלָ֗ם veulam HC/D but and indeed but
H199-02 Micah 3:8 וְ/אוּלָ֗ם veulam HC/D But truly and indeed but truly
H199-02 Job 1:11 וְ/אוּלָם֙ veulam HC/D But please and indeed but indeed
H199-01 Job 2:5 אוּלָם֙ ulam HD However bound entrance-hall of however
H199-01 Job 5:8 אוּלָ֗ם ulam HD but bound entrance-hall of but
H199-02 Job 11:5 וְֽ/אוּלָ֗ם veulam HC/D But oh and indeed but indeed
H199-02 Job 12:7 וְֽ/אוּלָ֗ם veulam HC/D but surely and indeed but indeed
H199-01 Job 13:3 אוּלָ֗ם ulam HD But bound entrance-hall of however
H199-02 Job 13:4 וְֽ/אוּלָ֗ם veulam HC/D But you and indeed but indeed
H199-02 Job 14:18 וְ֭/אוּלָם veulam HC/D but surely and indeed but indeed
H199-02 Job 17:10 וְֽ/אוּלָ֗ם veulam HC/D But as for and indeed but indeed
H199-02 Job 33:1 וְֽ/אוּלָ֗ם veulam HC/D But now and indeed But indeed
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