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אָטַם

𐤀𐤈𐤌

ʼâṭam

H331 verb

SILEX Entry

Root אטם to shut, to close, to stop up, to make inaccessible

Definition

To shut, close, or stop up an opening or passage, particularly with reference to closing the mouth, ears, or another aperture. In most contexts, it signifies making something inaccessible or impervious, either literally (as in physically shutting) or metaphorically (as in refusing to listen or speak).

Semantic Range

to shut (the mouth, the ears), to close off an aperture or passage, to stop up an opening, to make something impervious or unreceptive (metaphorically or literally), to block; rarely, to narrow a window by setting jambs (late or extended sense)

Root / Etymology

The term אָטַם derives from the root א–ט–ם, which conveys the idea of shutting or closing. It functions as a primitive verb, expressing the action of closing off an opening or passage. The root is not used for more abstract forms of refusal or silencing but refers to a concrete act of making something closed or sealed.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, אָטַם is relatively uncommon and appears primarily in poetic or elevated language, such as in the wisdom literature. The verb is consistently used for actions where access—physical or communicative—is interrupted: closing the lips (refusing to speak, keeping silent), shutting the ears (refusing to hear or listen), or, metaphorically, making the heart unreceptive. In post-biblical Hebrew, the core semantic of closing or blocking continues, though other roots (such as סגר) become more generalized for 'shut' or 'close.' Contrast with סגר (to shut, lock), which more often indicates enclosing something or someone (e.g., shutting a door or city gate). Standard English translations often render אָטַם as 'shut,' 'close,' or 'stop,' but may miss the nuance of deliberate blocking or making impervious. The nuance of beveling a window jamb suggested in later lexicographical tradition reflects a rare, extended usage not attested in the Hebrew Bible itself. The semantic range does not extend to judicial silencing or censorship, but is rather about literal or metaphorical closure.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to close (the lips or ears); by analology to contract (a window by bevelled jambs); narrow, shut, stop.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אטם (ʾ-ṭ-m) — to shut, to close, to stop up, to make inaccessible

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H331-04 אֹטֵ֤ם otem HVqrmsa closes one who shuts 3
H331-02 אֲטֻמ֣וֹת atumot HVqsfpa closed shut ones 2
H331-01 אֲטֻמִֽים atumim HVqsmpa latticed closed-up ones 1
H331-03 הָ֠/אֲטֻמוֹת haatumot HTd/Vqsfpa narrow closed ones 1
H331-05 יַאְטֵ֥ם yaetem HVqi3ms stops-up he shuts 1

Occurrences in Scripture

8 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H331-01 1 Kings 6:4 אֲטֻמִֽים atumim HVqsmpa latticed closed-up ones
H331-04 Isaiah 33:15 אֹטֵ֤ם otem HVqrmsa stops one who shuts
H331-02 Ezekiel 40:16 אֲטֻמ֣וֹת atumot HVqsfpa closed shut ones
H331-03 Ezekiel 41:16 הָ֠/אֲטֻמוֹת haatumot HTd/Vqsfpa narrow closed ones
H331-02 Ezekiel 41:26 אֲטֻמ֤וֹת atumot HVqsfpa latticed shut ones
H331-05 Psalms 58:5 יַאְטֵ֥ם yaetem HVqi3ms stops-up he shuts
H331-04 Proverbs 17:28 אֹטֵ֖ם otem HVqrmsa closes one who shuts
H331-04 Proverbs 21:13 אֹטֵ֣ם otem HVqrmsa shuts one who shuts
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