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הֶלֶם

𐤄𐤋𐤌

Helem

H1987 noun

SILEX Entry

Root הלם to strike, to smite, to beat

Definition

Helem is a personal name applied to at least two individuals in the Hebrew Bible, identified as Israelites. The lexical sense of the name likely means 'smiter,' one who strikes or beats. The semantic range is strictly onomastic, occurring exclusively as a personal name and not as a common noun or verb in biblical texts.

Semantic Range

personal name; figurative 'smiter' (one who strikes); ascribed quality or action in a name

Root / Etymology

The name Helem (הֶלֶם) is likely derived from the root הלם (H-L-M), which carries the meaning 'to strike, to smite.' The formation is of a noun pattern possibly implying an agent noun ('one who strikes') or a quality ('smiting').

Historical & Contextual Notes

Helem appears as a male personal name in genealogical contexts in 1 Chronicles (1 Chr 7:35, 7:35). Both individuals bearing this name are described as Israelites from the northern tribes. There is no evidence of the name functioning outside personal identification in the Hebrew Bible. The meaning 'smiter' reflects Hebrew naming practices, where names often invoked actions, qualities, or divine associations. There is no later biblical or historical usage suggesting any further development or special connotations. Standard English translations retain the personal name form, and it never becomes an ethnonym, toponym, or religious term. The form and root should not be confused with synonymous or similarly spelled roots (such as חלם, 'to dream').

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from הָלַם; smiter; Helem, the name of two Israelites; Helem.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

הלם (h-l-m) — to strike, to smite, to beat

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1986 הָלַם They struck me
H1988 הֲלֹם to this place
H1989 הַלְמוּת to a striking-hammer-of
H3095 יַהֲלֹם and strike-hardened gem
H4112 מַהֲלֻמָּה for strike-wounds

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1987-01 הֵ֖לֶם helem HNp Helem Smiter 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1987-01 1 Chronicles 7:35 הֵ֖לֶם helem HNp Helem Smiter
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