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אַמָּה

𐤀𐤌𐤄

ʼammâh

H520 noun

SILEX Entry

Root אמה to be a mother, serve as a base/foundation, forearm length as measure

Definition

A unit of linear measurement, commonly known as the 'cubit,' based on the length of the human forearm from elbow to fingertip. The term can also refer to the forearm itself, and in some architectural contexts, to a foundational or structural element such as a base or post. Rarely, by metathesis, it may serve as a number substitute for 'hundred' in poetic or cryptic usage. Its primary meaning in the context of biblical measurement is the standardized unit (usually about 45 cm or 18 inches, though the precise length could vary regionally or across time).

Semantic Range

forearm as anatomical part, unit of linear measure ('cubit'), architectural base or post, rare use as substitute for 'hundred' in poetic contexts

Root / Etymology

Derives from the root אמה, which in its basic sense relates to the 'mother' (אם); by extension, something fundamental or foundational. In usage as אַמָּה ('cubit' or 'forearm'), the linguistic link is likely metaphorical, indicating the 'mother' as a basic unit or source. While the root meaning 'mother' (אם) is not the lexical meaning of אַמָּה, the sense of something foundational is retained in its use for a core unit of measurement or structural element. There is no definitive evidence connecting its architectural sense to the 'mother' word beyond the concept of a base or origin.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Throughout the Hebrew Bible, אַמָּה designates the standard unit of length for construction, ritual objects, and legal contexts. The length of the cubit could vary: among Israelites it is generally estimated at around 45 cm (18 in), but archaeological evidence suggests variants such as the 'royal cubit' (longer) and the 'common cubit.' In architectural descriptions (e.g. in the Tabernacle and Temple passages), measurements are consistently given in cubits. The word also occasionally describes the body part—the forearm—and, less commonly, denotes structural elements such as doorposts or baseboards, emphasizing the foundational or supporting function. In poetic passages (Ezekiel 40:5; 41:8), the term may bear symbolic weight, conveying proportion or perfection. There is limited postbiblical ambiguity where אַמָּה was confused in manuscripts with words for 'hundred' (מֵאָה), but this is not the basic biblical sense. Later Hebrew and Aramaic maintained אַמָּה as a unit of measurement (Talmudic and beyond), showing its persistence as a standard of fundamental value. English translations consistently use 'cubit,' but this can obscure the possible variation in length and the architectural/structural senses. Comparative terms: זרת (span, a shorter measure), טפח (handbreadth), both smaller units based on body parts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

prolonged from אֵם; properly, a mother (i.e. unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e. a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance); cubit, [phrase] hundred (by exchange for מֵאָה), measure, post.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אמה (ʾ-m-h) — mother, base/foundation, forearm length as measure

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H368 אֵימִים Terror-Ones
H4965 מֶתֶג הָאַמָּה the cubit-measure
H519 אָמָה forearm-length measure
H522 אַמָּה forearm-length unit
H524 אֻמָּה the people-groups

Word Forms

17 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H520-01 אַמָּ֗ה amah HNcfsa cubits forearm-measure 84
H520-04 אַמּ֖וֹת amot HNcfpa cubits forearm-measures 81
H520-05 בָּֽ/אַמָּ֔ה baamah HRd/Ncfsa cubits by a forearm-measure 39
H520-14 וְ/אַמָּ֤ה veamah HC/Ncfsa and a cubit and a forearm-measure 16
H520-08 הָֽ/אַמָּ֔ה haamah HTd/Ncfsa the-cubit the forearm-measure 8
H520-03 אַמָּתַ֨יִם amatayim HNcfda two cubits two cubits 6
H520-13 בָֽ/אַמָּה֙ vaamah HRd/Ncfsa cubits cubit 3
H520-15 וְ/אַמָּתַ֖יִם veamatayim HC/Ncfda and two cubits two cubits 2
H520-17 וְ/הָ/אַמָּ֨ה vehaamah HC/Td/Ncfsa and the cubit and the forearm-measure 2
H520-11 אמות mvt HNcfpc hundred forearm-measures of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

249 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H520-01 Genesis 6:15 אַמָּ֗ה amah HNcfsa cubits forearm-measure
H520-01 Genesis 6:15 אַמָּה֙ amah-2 HNcfsa cubits forearm-measure
H520-01 Genesis 6:15 אַמָּ֖ה amah-3 HNcfsa cubits forearm-measure
H520-01 Genesis 6:16 אַמָּה֙ amah HNcfsa a cubit forearm-measure
H520-01 Genesis 7:20 אַמָּה֙ amah HNcfsa cubits forearm-measure
H520-03 Exodus 25:10 אַמָּתַ֨יִם amatayim HNcfda two cubits two cubits
H520-14 Exodus 25:10 וְ/אַמָּ֤ה veamah HC/Ncfsa a cubit and a forearm-measure
H520-14 Exodus 25:10 וְ/אַמָּ֥ה veamah-2 HC/Ncfsa a cubit and a forearm-measure
H520-03 Exodus 25:17 אַמָּתַ֤יִם amatayim HNcfda two cubits two cubits
H520-14 Exodus 25:17 וְ/אַמָּ֥ה veamah HC/Ncfsa and a cubit and a forearm-measure
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