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אֲרַמִּי

𐤀𐤓𐤌𐤉

Arami

H761 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ארם to ascend, be high, be exalted (as a possible root for the place name Aram)

Definition

Someone belonging to or deriving from the region and ethnic group known as Aram or Aramaea (primarily in north Syria and Mesopotamia), an Aramean. The term refers to a person of Aramaean descent or affiliation, and can signify an ethnic identity (Aramean), a geographic origin (from Aram), or, rarely, a cultural or linguistic association. In certain contexts, may indicate someone closely associated with Aram, as in familial or migratory settings, or, when used in the feminine form, an Aramean woman.

Semantic Range

Aramean, person from Aram, someone of Aramean descent, inhabitant of Aram, person speaking Aramaic, Aramean woman (feminine form), by extension sometimes Syria(n) in later translation traditions

Root / Etymology

From the root א־ר־ם (אֲרָם, 'Aram'), the name designating both a region (area spanning parts of modern Syria and Mesopotamia) and a people group. The suffix -ִי (-î) in Hebrew forms a gentillic adjective or noun, indicating origin or affiliation ('of Aram'). Thus, אֲרַמִּי literally means 'Aramean' or 'one from Aram'.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term אֲרַמִּי is used in the Hebrew Bible to denote members of the Aramean people, who were a Semitic-speaking group inhabiting regions north of Israel, particularly around Damascus and the Euphrates. In patriarchal narratives such as Genesis 25–31, it identifies ancestors or relatives living in Paddan-Aram (northwestern Mesopotamia). In Deuteronomy 26:5, the phrase אֲרַמִּי אֹבֵד אָבִי ('A wandering Aramean was my father') has been traditionally interpreted as a reference to Jacob, though some interpreters understand it to refer to Laban or to ancestors having Aramean connections. During the monarchic period, the term is used for foreign peoples or kingdoms (e.g., Ben-hadad king of Aram). In some translations, 'Syrian' is used, but this reflects later Greek usage and may not accurately convey the ancient identity of the Arameans. The term does not indicate religious identity. In post-exilic and Hellenistic contexts, the meaning may shift due to broader ethnic interactions; however, in the Hebrew Bible it denotes either ethnic or geographic association with Aram. Feminine forms (e.g., אֲרַמִּית) designate Aramean women.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

patrial from אֲרָם; an Aramite or Aramaean; Syrian, Aramitess.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ארם (ʾ-r-m) — to ascend, be high, be exalted (as reflected in the name Aram)

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6307 פַּדָּן Aram highland
H726 אֲרוֹמִי and Aramean men
H7421 רַמִּי the Aramean men
H758 אֲרָם Aram Highland
H760 אֲרַם צוֹבָה Aram Highland

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H761-03 הָֽ/אֲרַמִּ֔י haarami HTd/Ngmsa the Aramean the Aramean 6
H761-02 אֲרַמִּ֖ים aramim HNgmpa Arameans Aramean men 3
H761-01 אֲרַמִּי֙ arami HNgmsa Aramean Aramean man 1
H761-04 הָֽ/אֲרַמִּיָּ֔ה haaramiyah HTd/Ngfsa the Aramean the Aramean woman 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H761-03 Genesis 25:20 הָֽ/אֲרַמִּ֔י haarami HTd/Ngmsa the Aramean the Aramean
H761-03 Genesis 25:20 הָ/אֲרַמִּ֖י haarami-2 HTd/Ngmsa the Aramean the Aramean
H761-03 Genesis 28:5 הָֽ/אֲרַמִּ֔י haarami HTd/Ngmsa the Aramean the Aramean
H761-03 Genesis 31:20 הָ/אֲרַמִּ֑י haarami HTd/Ngmsa the Aramean the Aramean
H761-03 Genesis 31:24 הָ/אֲרַמִּ֖י haarami HTd/Ngmsa the Aramean the Aramean
H761-01 Deuteronomy 26:5 אֲרַמִּי֙ arami HNgmsa Aramean Aramean man
H761-03 2 Kings 5:20 הָֽ/אֲרַמִּי֙ haarami HTd/Ngmsa the Aramean the Aramean
H761-02 2 Kings 8:28 אֲרַמִּ֖ים aramim HNgmpa Arameans Aramean men
H761-02 2 Kings 8:29 אֲרַמִּים֙ aramim HNgmpa Arameans Aramean men
H761-02 2 Kings 9:15 אֲרַמִּ֔ים aramim HNgmpa the Syrians Aramean men
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