אֲלֻמָּה
𐤀𐤋𐤌𐤄
ʼălummâh
H485 noun
SILEX Entry
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.
Translation Consistency
The primary and most natural English equivalent for אֲלֻמָּה is 'sheaf' (a bundle of grain stalks). This matches the typical biblical usage and will render consistently for singular and plural forms (sheaf/sheaves) while remaining clear and idiomatic.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or (masculine) אָלֻם; passive participle of אָלַם; something bound; a sheaf; sheaf.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
אלם (ʼillêm) — to bind, to be silent, to be restrained
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H485-01 |
אֲלֻמָּתִ֖/י | alumati | HNcfsc/Sp1cs |
my sheaf | my bound sheaf | my sheaf | 1 |
H485-02 |
אֲלֻמִּים֙ | alumim | HNcfpa |
sheaves | bound grain-bundles | sheaves | 1 |
H485-03 |
אֲלֻמֹּתָֽי/ו | alumotayv | HNcfpc/Sp3ms |
his sheaves | his bound-sheaves | his sheaves | 1 |
H485-04 |
אֲלֻמֹּ֣תֵי/כֶ֔ם | alumoteykhem | HNcfpc/Sp2mp |
your sheaves | your bound sheaves | your sheaves | 1 |
H485-05 |
לַ/אֲלֻמָּתִֽ/י | laalumati | HR/Ncfsc/Sp1cs |
to my sheaf | to my bound-sheaf | to my sheaf | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H485-02 |
Genesis 37:7 | אֲלֻמִּים֙ | alumim | HNcfpa |
sheaves | bound grain-bundles | sheaves |
H485-01 |
Genesis 37:7 | אֲלֻמָּתִ֖/י | alumati | HNcfsc/Sp1cs |
my sheaf | my bound sheaf | my sheaf |
H485-04 |
Genesis 37:7 | אֲלֻמֹּ֣תֵי/כֶ֔ם | alumoteykhem | HNcfpc/Sp2mp |
your sheaves | your bound sheaves | your sheaves |
H485-05 |
Genesis 37:7 | לַ/אֲלֻמָּתִֽ/י | laalumati | HR/Ncfsc/Sp1cs |
to my sheaf | to my bound-sheaf | to my sheaf |
H485-03 |
Psalms 126:6 | אֲלֻמֹּתָֽי/ו | alumotayv | HNcfpc/Sp3ms |
his sheaves | his bound-sheaves | his sheaves |