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פַּעֲמֹן

𐤐𐤏𐤌𐤍

paʻămôn

H6472 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A small metallic bell, typically attached to the hem or garment of a high priest or certain sacred garments, functioning as a sounding object when set in motion. In later contexts, refers more generally to a bell or similar sonorous ornament.

Semantic Range

bell (on priestly garments), small sonorous ornament, ritual bell

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root פָּעַם (paʿam), meaning 'to strike, beat, or pulse'; פַּעֲמֹן is a diminutive or noun formation indicating an object that emits sound when struck or moved. The lexical development shows a progression from the concept of striking or rhythmic sound (the root) to its application as a sounding object (bell).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, פַּעֲמֹן occurs primarily in descriptions of priestly vestments (e.g., Exodus 28–39), where bells are attached to the hem of the high priest's robe. Their sound signaled the priest's movement within the sanctuary—both as an aural marker of office and as a means to symbolize ritual propriety. The term is rare and highly specific to priestly clothing; there is no evidence for profane, civic, or general decorative use in the Hebrew Bible itself. Later periods (Second Temple, rabbinic literature) expand usage to mean a bell or tinkling object more generally. English translations usually render פַּעֲמֹן as 'bell,' which is accurate for biblical contexts but may not convey the item’s ritual function or status as sacred regalia. The term is not used of musical instruments or larger civic bells, for which no biblical Hebrew word exists. The closely related word פַּעַם (paʿam) generally means 'step, stroke, occurrence,' or 'moment,' highlighting the connection between rhythmic action and sound in the conceptual world of the Hebrew text.

Translation Consistency

primary "bell" 1 occurrence

paʻămôn refers to a small metallic, sonorous ornament — essentially a bell. 'Bell' is the natural, simple English noun that covers the typical priestly and ritual sense and works cleanly for singular and plural forms; it is clearer and more idiomatic than hyphenated options like 'striking-bell'.

Alternatives (6 occurrences):
"striking-bell" (4x) "striking-bells of" (1x) "striking-bells" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from פַּעַם; a bell (as struck); bell.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

פעם (p-ʿ-m) — to strike, beat, pulse

Root פּעם to strike, beat, pulse
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6471 פַּעַם in the stroke

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H6472-03 פַּעֲמֹ֤ן paamon HNcmsc bell striking-bell striking-bell 4
H6472-01 פַעֲמֹנֵ֖י faamoney HNcmpc bells striking-bells of striking-bells of 1
H6472-04 וּ/פַעֲמֹנֵ֥י ufaamoney HC/Ncmpc and bells and striking-bells of and bells of 1
H6472-02 הַ/פַּֽעֲמֹנִ֜ים hapaamonim HTd/Ncmpa the bells the striking-bells the striking-bells 1

Occurrences in Scripture

7 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H6472-04 Exodus 28:33 וּ/פַעֲמֹנֵ֥י ufaamoney HC/Ncmpc and bells and striking-bells of and bells of
H6472-03 Exodus 28:34 פַּעֲמֹ֤ן paamon HNcmsc bell striking-bell striking-bell
H6472-03 Exodus 28:34 פַּֽעֲמֹ֥ן paamon-2 HNcmsc bell striking-bell striking-bell
H6472-01 Exodus 39:25 פַעֲמֹנֵ֖י faamoney HNcmpc bells striking-bells of striking-bells of
H6472-02 Exodus 39:25 הַ/פַּֽעֲמֹנִ֜ים hapaamonim HTd/Ncmpa the bells the striking-bells the striking-bells
H6472-03 Exodus 39:26 פַּעֲמֹ֤ן paamon HNcmsa bell striking-bell striking-bell
H6472-03 Exodus 39:26 פַּעֲמֹ֣ן paamon-2 HNcmsa bell striking-bell striking-bell
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