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אוּלָם

𐤀𐤅𐤋𐤌

ʼûwlâm

H197 noun

SILEX Entry

Root אָלַם to bind, to join, to tie together

Definition

Principal architectural term denoting an entrance hall, vestibule, or porch—typically a roofed, sometimes columned space leading into a larger building or central chamber, especially in the context of royal or temple architecture. The term refers specifically to the prominent entry structure projecting from the front of major buildings, such as the temple in Jerusalem, palace complexes, or other important edifices; may also refer more abstractly to a grand entranceway or portico within such a complex.

Semantic Range

vestibule, entrance hall, porch, portico, grand entryway, architectural entrance structure

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root אָלַם (ʾ-l-m), meaning 'to bind, to tie together.' The noun אוּלָם takes this core semantic idea and applies it to architectural terminology, likely referring to the porch or vestibule as a structural element that is attached or 'bound' to the main building. The form as a masculine noun with a prefixed vav (ו) is standard in architectural contexts; the etymology is not certain beyond this root relationship.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical Hebrew, אוּלָם denotes the main porch or portico of the Solomonic temple (1 Kings 6–7, 2 Chronicles 3), a prominent architectural feature distinguished from the main sanctuary (הֵיכָל, heikhal) and the inner shrine (דְּבִיר, dĕvîr). Archaeological and comparative studies (cf. Syrian and Phoenician temple architecture) confirm such vestibules were common elements in West Semitic monumental buildings. The אוּלָם, mentioned especially in descriptions of the Jerusalem temple, was a large entrance space situated before the sanctuary proper, possibly serving both ceremonial and structural purposes. English translations usually render the word as 'vestibule,' 'porch,' or 'portico,' but none fully captures its architectural specificity in the biblical context. In later Hebrew and Jewish literature, the term is retained for similar architectural spaces but may broaden in scope. The term should not be confused with other Hebrew words for hallways or chambers (e.g., לִשְׁכָּה, lishkah 'chamber').

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or (shortened), אֻלָם ; from אָלַם (in the sense of tying); a vestibule (as bound to the building); porch.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אלם (ʾ-l-m) — to bind, to join, to tie together

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H193 אוּל bound entry-hall of
H198 אוּלָם bound entrance-hall of
H199 אוּלָם bound entrance-hall of
H481 אָלַם those who silence
H482 אֵלֶם muteness

Word Forms

11 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H197-06 אוּלָ֤ם ulam HNcmsc porch bound entrance hall 12
H197-02 הָֽ/אוּלָם֙ haulam HTd/Ncmsa of the porch the bound entrance hall 8
H197-10 וְ/אוּלָם֙ veulam HC/Ncmsa and porch yet indeed 3
H197-05 לְ/אֻלָ֖ם leulam HR/Ncmsc to the porch to the bound entrance-hall 3
H197-09 וְ/הָ/אוּלָ֗ם vehaulam HC/Td/Ncmsa and-the-porch and the entrance hall 2
H197-11 וְ/אֻֽלַמֵּ֖י veulamey HC/Ncmpc and the porches and vestibules of 1
H197-03 כָּ/אוּלָ֖ם kaulam HRd/Ncmsa like the porch grand entry hall 1
H197-01 בָּֽ/אוּלָ֑ם baulam HRd/Ncmsa in the porch in the entrance hall 1
H197-08 וּ/בְ/אֻלָ֣ם uveulam HC/R/Ncmsc and-in-vestibule and in the vestibule of 1
H197-07 וּ/לְ/אֻלָ֥ם uleulam HC/R/Ncmsc and-to-the-porch and to the bound-vestibule of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

34 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H197-09 1 Kings 6:3 וְ/הָ/אוּלָ֗ם vehaulam HC/Td/Ncmsa and-the-porch and the entrance hall
H197-06 1 Kings 7:6 אוּלָ֤ם ulam HNcmsc porch bound entrance hall
H197-10 1 Kings 7:6 וְ/אוּלָם֙ veulam HC/Ncmsa and porch yet indeed
H197-10 1 Kings 7:7 וְ/אוּלָ֤ם veulam HC/Ncmsc and-porch yet indeed
H197-06 1 Kings 7:7 אֻלָ֥ם ulam HNcmsc porch bound entrance hall
H197-04 1 Kings 7:8 לָֽ/אוּלָ֔ם laulam HRd/Ncmsa of the porch to the entrance hall
H197-03 1 Kings 7:8 כָּ/אוּלָ֖ם kaulam HRd/Ncmsa like the porch grand entry hall
H197-07 1 Kings 7:12 וּ/לְ/אֻלָ֥ם uleulam HC/R/Ncmsc and-to-the-porch and to the bound-vestibule of
H197-01 1 Kings 7:19 בָּֽ/אוּלָ֑ם baulam HRd/Ncmsa in the porch in the entrance hall
H197-05 1 Kings 7:21 לְ/אֻלָ֖ם leulam HR/Ncmsc at the porch to the bound entrance-hall
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