לוּל
𐤋𐤅𐤋
lûwl
H3883 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A spiral or winding staircase, especially one within a building. In biblical usage, refers specifically to a type of internal staircase constructed so as to ascend in a circular or helical pattern, typically giving access to upper levels. The term is rare and descriptive of architectural design, not simply steps or ladders, but an intentionally built spiral flight within a structure.
Semantic Range
spiral staircase, winding stairs, helical stairway
Root / Etymology
From the root לול, whose core meaning is 'to wind, twist, coil.' The word לוּל (lûwl) is a nominal form denoting an object characterized by this winding or coiling motion. There is some linguistic connection to the nearby word לֻלָאָה (lullā'āh, 'loop' or 'ring'), reinforcing the sense of curvature or circularity, but the precise verbal root is unattested in biblical Hebrew.
Historical & Contextual Notes
לוּל is attested in 1 Kings 6:8, where it describes the internal winding staircase of Solomon’s temple, constructed to allow passage between different story levels. This architectural feature likely reflects technological advancements of the monarchic period. The term is distinct from מַעֲלֶה (ma‘ăleh, 'ascent' or generic 'stair') or סֻלָּם (sullām, 'ladder'), as לוּל indicates specifically a spiral formation, which is architecturally and functionally unique. Standard English translations such as 'winding stairs,' 'spiral staircase,' or 'winding stairway' generally capture the architectural intent but can obscure the technical and rare nature of the term. The semantic association with 'loops' and 'coils' (seen in לֻלָאָה) strengthens the visual image of the structure. There is no evidence that the word was used for exterior staircases or non-spiral steps, and it remains a technical term limited to temple or palace contexts in the Hebrew Bible.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root meaning to fold back; a spiral step; winding stair. Compare לֻלָאָה.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
לול (l-w-l) — to wind, twist, coil
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3924 | לֻלָאָה | wound loops |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3883-01 |
וּ/בְ/לוּלִּ֗ים | uvelulim | HC/R/Ncmpa |
and by windings | and in spiral staircases | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3883-01 |
1 Kings 6:8 | וּ/בְ/לוּלִּ֗ים | uvelulim | HC/R/Ncmpa |
and by windings | and in spiral staircases |