תַּעֲלֻמָּה
𐤕𐤏𐤋𐤌𐤄
taʻălummâh
H8587 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A hidden thing, mystery, or secret—denoting something kept concealed, unknown, or not readily accessible or visible. The term primarily expresses the state or quality of being hidden, with extended usage for both literal (physical concealment) and figurative (inaccessible knowledge or wisdom) contexts.
Semantic Range
that which is hidden, secret, mystery, hidden counsel, concealed knowledge, thing not known or revealed
Root / Etymology
From the root עָלַם (ʿ-l-m), which means 'to conceal, hide, be secret.' The noun תַּעֲלֻמָּה follows a feminine noun pattern indicating quality or state, here signifying that which is hidden or a thing characterized by secrecy.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Biblical Hebrew, תַּעֲלֻמָּה occurs rarely, always conveying the sense of hiddenness or secret, often with reference to inaccessible understanding, wisdom, or motives (e.g., Job 11:6; Psalms 44:22 [21]). The term is applied to both divine and human secrets, but does not connote the developed concept of 'mystery' found in later literature. Its usage is primarily poetic or literary; it is not a legal or technical term. The LXX renders it with Greek terms for 'hidden' or 'secret,' underscoring its association with that which is not revealed. While later English translations sometimes use 'secret,' the breadth of the word includes hidden matters beyond mere 'secrets' in a modern sense, potentially encompassing mysteries of life, counsel, or divine knowledge. Related terms include סוֹד (sôd, 'council, confidential discussion') and רָז (rāz, 'secret, mystery,' occurring mainly in later Hebrew and Aramaic),
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from עָלַם; a secret; thing that is hid, secret.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עלם (ʿ-l-m) — to hide, conceal, be secret
| 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
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8587-01 |
תַּעֲלֻמ֥וֹת | taalumot | HNcfpc |
secrets | hidden things of | 2 |
H8587-02 |
וְ֝/תַעֲלֻמָ֗הּ | vetaalumah | HC/Ncfsa |
and its hidden thing | and her hidden thing | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8587-01 |
Psalms 44:22 | תַּעֲלֻמ֥וֹת | taalumot | HNcfpc |
secrets | hidden things of |
H8587-01 |
Job 11:6 | תַּֽעֲלֻמ֣וֹת | taalumot | HNcfpc |
secrets | hidden things of |
H8587-02 |
Job 28:11 | וְ֝/תַעֲלֻמָ֗הּ | vetaalumah | HC/Ncfsa |
and its hidden thing | and her hidden thing |