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יַעְלָם

𐤉𐤏𐤋𐤌

Yaelam

H3281 noun

SILEX Entry

Root עלם to hide, to conceal, to be secret, to be young

Definition

Proper name: Ja'lam (Ya‘lām), a personal name appearing as a descendant of Esau (an Edomite). The word functions strictly as a proper noun and does not carry a lexical meaning outside its use as a personal name. Traditional renderings identify Ja'lam as a member of a prominent Edomite clan.

Semantic Range

proper name (personal name only; no usage as common noun or adjective); in context: Edomite personal name, possible etymological nuance of hiddenness or concealment, but not contextually developed

Root / Etymology

From the root עלם (‘-l-m), which generally relates to being hidden, concealed, or to youthfulness. The precise derivation in the personal name is uncertain, and its exact original sense as a name is unclear.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Ya‘lām appears only in genealogical contexts, specifically as a son of Dishon and grandson of Seir the Horite in Edomite genealogy (Gen 36:5, 14, 18, 1 Chr 1:41). There is no evidence that an Israelite or Judahite bore this name; nor is it used appellatively (as a common noun or adjective) elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible. The translation 'occult' or 'hidden' is based on a presumed connection to the root עלם, but this remains speculative for the personal name. In translation traditions, Ya‘lām has sometimes been rendered 'Jalam,' but this is an attempt at transliteration, not explanation. English versions typically leave the name unaltered or Anglicize the spelling. There is no evidence to connect the bearer or the name's meaning with the term 'Jew' or with religious identity in any historical period; the bearer is consistently identified as Edomite. The etymological meaning ('hidden,' 'concealed') is not confirmed within the biblical narrative.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from עָלַם; occult; Jalam, an Edomite; Jalam.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עלם (ʿ-l-m) — to hide, to conceal, to be secret, to be young

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H492 אַלְמֹנִי anonymous one
H5769 עוֹלָם for the hidden age
H5867 עֵילָם in Elam
H5934 עָלוּם your youthful years
H5956 עָלַם I will conceal

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3281-02 יַעְלָ֖ם yaelam HNp Jaalam Jaʿlam 3
H3281-01 וְ/יַעְלָ֥ם veyaelam HC/Np and Jalam Yaʿlam 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3281-02 Genesis 36:5 יַעְלָ֖ם yaelam HNp Jaalam Jaʿlam
H3281-02 Genesis 36:14 יַעְלָ֖ם yaelam HNp Jaalam Jaʿlam
H3281-02 Genesis 36:18 יַעְלָ֖ם yaelam HNp Jaalam Jaʿlam
H3281-01 1 Chronicles 1:35 וְ/יַעְלָ֥ם veyaelam HC/Np and Jalam Yaʿlam
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