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עֲלָמוֹת

𐤏𐤋𐤌𐤅𐤕

ʻĂlâmôwth

H5961 noun

SILEX Entry

Root עלם to be youthful, to conceal, to be hidden

Definition

A technical musical term indicating a high-pitched register or performance 'according to maidens' or 'for soprano (young women's) voices'; also used as a musical heading in psalm superscriptions. The word directly references young women, typically of marriageable age, but in musical contexts designates a register/style evocative of the high range associated with such voices.

Semantic Range

young women, maidens, soprano/high (female) voices; musical style or register; a female choir or chorus; performers of a specific age/gender group; technical superscription in musical/liturgical settings

Root / Etymology

From the root עלם (ʿ-l-m), whose basic meaning is 'to be youthful, to be hidden or concealed.' The derived noun עַלְמָה (ʿalmāh) means 'young woman (of marriageable age).' עֲלָמוֹת (ʿălāmōṯ) is the plural form, here adopted as a technical musical term.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term appears in Psalm 46 and 1 Chronicles 15:20 as a superscription, instructing that the accompanying music be performed 'according to Alamoth.' The underlying reference is to young women of marriageable age, but in these liturgical or musical contexts, it specifies musical arrangement—likely a high (soprano) vocal register. In earlier Israelite contexts, עֲלָמוֹת denoted groups of young women. Over time, this association with youthful, high-pitched singing voices led to specialized liturgical usage. English translations sometimes render Alamoth as a proper noun, without explanation, or sometimes as 'soprano.' It should not be confused with musical directions like 'sheminit' (eighth, i.e., low register). The English term 'virgin'—sometimes used for עַלְמָה—reflects later interpretive tradition, not the technical or musical sense.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

plural of עַלְמָה; properly, girls, i.e. the soprano or female voice, perhaps falsetto; Alamoth.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עלם (ʿ-l-m) — youthfulness, hiddenness, concealment

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3281 יַעְלָם Yaʿlam
H492 אַלְמֹנִי anonymous one
H5769 עוֹלָם for the hidden age
H5867 עֵילָם in Elam
H5934 עָלוּם your youthful years

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5961-01 עֲלָמ֥וֹת alamot HNcfpa alamoth young women 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5961-01 Psalms 46:1 עֲלָמ֥וֹת alamot HNcfpa alamoth young women
H5961-01 1 Chronicles 15:20 עֲלָמֽוֹת alamot HNcfpa Alamoth young women
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