מַלְמָד
𐤌𐤋𐤌𐤃
malmâd
H4451 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A rod or stick used as a goad, typically for directing and urging on cattle, especially oxen; by extension, an instrument or tool for teaching, discipline, or guidance. While its primary use is as an agricultural implement, the term may carry metaphorical meaning in poetic or wisdom literature as something that motivates, corrects, or instructs.
Semantic Range
cattle goad, oxgoad, instrument of guidance, tool of discipline, agent of instruction (literal and metaphorical)
Root / Etymology
From the root לָמַד (lamad), meaning 'to learn, teach.' מַלְמָד (malmâd) is a noun formation likely with a mem prefix, often indicating an instrument or tool, so literally 'that which causes learning/teaching,' i.e., an object used to direct or instruct—here, a goad that 'teaches' or directs an animal's movement.
Historical & Contextual Notes
מַלְמָד occurs infrequently in the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Judges 3:31; 1 Samuel 13:21), referring concretely to a pointed stick used to control oxen in plowing. Its association with the root לָמַד ('to learn, teach') suggests a conceptual connection: the goad corrects the movement of animals, just as instruction or discipline corrects human behavior. In later Jewish literature, 'malmad' developed metaphorical significance as an agent of intellectual or moral discipline. Most English translations render the term as 'goad,' but the metaphoric resonance—especially in wisdom or poetic passages—may be broader, involving the concept of guidance or incitement to proper action. The goad as an agricultural tool reflects the pastoral and agrarian context of early Israelite society. In contrast with other implements (e.g., rod = שֵׁבֶט, staff = מִשְׁעֵנָה), the malmâd is specifically a tool for guidance, often emphasizing correction and prompting action rather than punishment or protection.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from לָמַד; a goad for oxen; goad.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
למד (l-m-d) — learn, teach, train, instruct
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3925 | לָמַד | let me teach |
| H3928 | לִמּוּד | among my instructed ones |
| H8527 | תַּלְמִיד | learner |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4451-01 |
בְּ/מַלְמַ֖ד | bemalemad | HR/Ncmsc |
with an oxgoad | with a teaching-goad | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4451-01 |
Judges 3:31 | בְּ/מַלְמַ֖ד | bemalemad | HR/Ncmsc |
with an oxgoad | with a teaching-goad |