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אֲלֻמָּה

𐤀𐤋𐤌𐤄

ʼălummâh

H485 noun

SILEX Entry

Root אלם to bind, tie tightly, bundle

Definition

A bundle or collection of cut stalks, especially of grain, bound together after harvesting; primarily denotes a 'sheaf' as an agricultural unit. The term can also generically refer to any grouping of stalks tied together, but its principal use in the Hebrew Bible is in the context of harvested grain.

Semantic Range

sheaf (of grain), bundle (especially of stalks), something bound together

Root / Etymology

From the root אָלַם (ʼalam), meaning 'to bind together, to tie'. The form אֲלֻמָּה is a feminine noun derived from the passive participle pattern, indicating 'that which is bound' or 'something bound together'. Its masculine form is less common (אָלֻם).

Historical & Contextual Notes

אֲלֻמָּה appears exclusively in the plural in Genesis 37 (Joseph's dream), where it refers to bundles of grain stalks—an important motif in agricultural societies and a prominent symbol in the narrative. The word does not have cultic or metaphorical senses elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible, and its use is comparatively rare. The image of the sheaf is significant in both social and economic contexts, representing the gathered produce of the field. Related terms, such as עֹמֶר (ʼōmer), also refer to sheaves but can indicate specific measurements or ritual portions (as in Leviticus 23). The English term 'sheaf' is a close but not exhaustive equivalent, as biblical usage focuses on the act of binding and the social meaning of the harvest. Later periods preserve the word only in literary or poetic usage. The translation 'sheaf' is standard but should be understood as an agricultural bundle associated with harvesting labor, not simply any collection. The verb root also appears in post-biblical Hebrew with the same semantic field.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or (masculine) אָלֻם; passive participle of אָלַם; something bound; a sheaf; sheaf.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אלם (ʾ-l-m) — bind, tie tightly, bundle

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H193 אוּל bound entry-hall of
H197 אוּלָם in the entrance hall
H198 אוּלָם bound entrance-hall of
H199 אוּלָם bound entrance-hall of
H481 אָלַם those who silence

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H485-02 אֲלֻמִּים֙ alumim HNcfpa sheaves bound grain-bundles 1
H485-05 לַ/אֲלֻמָּתִֽ/י laalumati HR/Ncfsc/Sp1cs to my sheaf to my bound-sheaf 1
H485-04 אֲלֻמֹּ֣תֵי/כֶ֔ם alumoteykhem HNcfpc/Sp2mp your sheaves your bound sheaves 1
H485-01 אֲלֻמָּתִ֖/י alumati HNcfsc/Sp1cs my sheaf my bound sheaf 1
H485-03 אֲלֻמֹּתָֽי/ו alumotayv HNcfpc/Sp3ms his sheaves his bound-sheaves 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H485-02 Genesis 37:7 אֲלֻמִּים֙ alumim HNcfpa sheaves bound grain-bundles
H485-01 Genesis 37:7 אֲלֻמָּתִ֖/י alumati HNcfsc/Sp1cs my sheaf my bound sheaf
H485-04 Genesis 37:7 אֲלֻמֹּ֣תֵי/כֶ֔ם alumoteykhem HNcfpc/Sp2mp your sheaves your bound sheaves
H485-05 Genesis 37:7 לַ/אֲלֻמָּתִֽ/י laalumati HR/Ncfsc/Sp1cs to my sheaf to my bound-sheaf
H485-03 Psalms 126:6 אֲלֻמֹּתָֽי/ו alumotayv HNcfpc/Sp3ms his sheaves his bound-sheaves
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