אַלְגּוּמִּים
𐤀𐤋𐤂𐤅𐤌𐤉𐤌
ʼalgûwmmîym
H418 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A type of valuable, aromatic, and durable wood imported by the Israelites, used primarily for royal and cultic construction and for making musical instruments. The precise botanical identification remains uncertain, but the word refers to special imported timber prized for its quality.
Semantic Range
valuable imported wood, timber for construction, material for instruments, sticks, planks made from special wood
Root / Etymology
The word appears to be a variant spelling (by metathesis) of אַלְמֻגִּים (’almuggîm), itself from a non-Hebrew, likely trade-borrowed root. The root is not natively attested in Hebrew and may derive from foreign sources, reflecting the exotic origin of the wood.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term appears in descriptions of Solomon's building projects (1 Kings 10:11–12; 2 Chronicles 2:8; 9:10–11), always in the context of imported materials from Ophir, a distant trading region. Some traditions read 'algum,' others 'almug,' likely reflecting a scribal metathesis. Botanical identification has ranged from sandalwood to red sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus) or juniper; however, the Hebrew word does not enable definite conclusions. English translations sometimes render it by the generic 'algum' or 'almug,' lacking a specific referent, and historical translations such as KJV cannot convey the arboreal or trade nuances present in the Hebrew. Distinguished from native timbers such as 'cedar' (אֶרֶז) or 'cypress' (בְּרוֹשׁ), indicating its exotic and prestigious status in the biblical narrative. The use of such wood denotes wealth and access to far-reaching trade networks during Solomon's reign. The term has no relevant post-biblical development and is primarily restricted to descriptions of Solomon's temple and court. Later Jewish and Christian translations sometimes conflated it with other valuable woods due to this uncertainty.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
by transposition for אַלְמֻגִּים; sticks of algum wood; algum (trees).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אלגם (ʾ-l-g-m) — wood, timber, tree
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H418-03 |
וְ/אַלְגּוּמִּים֮ | vealegumim | HC/Ncmpa |
and algum | algum timbers | 1 |
H418-01 |
אַלְגּוּמִּ֖ים | alegumim | HNcmpa |
algum | luxury timbers | 1 |
H418-02 |
הָֽ/אַלְגּוּמִּ֜ים | haalegumim | HTd/Ncmpa |
the algum | the algum timbers | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H418-03 |
2 Chronicles 2:7 | וְ/אַלְגּוּמִּים֮ | vealegumim | HC/Ncmpa |
and algum | algum timbers |
H418-01 |
2 Chronicles 9:10 | אַלְגּוּמִּ֖ים | alegumim | HNcmpa |
algum | luxury timbers |
H418-02 |
2 Chronicles 9:11 | הָֽ/אַלְגּוּמִּ֜ים | haalegumim | HTd/Ncmpa |
the algum | the algum timbers |