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הֲלֹם

𐤄𐤋𐤌

hălôm

H1988 adverb

SILEX Entry

Root הלם to go, to approach, to move to a place

Definition

An adverb of place denoting direction or proximity, meaning 'here,' 'hither,' or 'to this place.' It is used to indicate movement toward the speaker or a specified location nearby, as in 'come here.' The word frequently appears in narrative, imperative, or dialogue scenes to draw attention to or summon movement to a specific spot, but does not always clearly distinguish between pointing precisely at the speaker versus designating a general nearby place.

Semantic Range

here, hither, to this place, toward this place, in this direction

Root / Etymology

The term הֲלֹם likely derives from the root הלם or is formed by combining the interrogative or directional particle ה with a form related to the root ל-א-ם or לאם (uncertain). The precise root is debated, but traditionally it is compared to הָלְאָה (hal'āh, 'thither, onwards'), which comes from הלך (to go, walk) with directional affix. Thus, הֲלֹם is understood as the counterpart to הָלְאָה, indicating motion towards (as opposed to away from) the deictic center.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, הֲלֹם appears most often in narrative contexts, summoning someone, or indicating that the action should be directed to a current location ('Here!' or 'Come here!'). Versus הָלְאָה ('thence,' 'there,' 'onward'), which implies distance from the speaker, הֲלֹם marks nearness or approach. In the Hebrew Bible, it is not frequent but is found in both prose and verse, sometimes in dialogue. English translations such as 'hither' (archaic), 'here,' or 'to this place' often vary in their nuance, but none perfectly preserve the flexibility and directness of the Hebrew, particularly since English generally lacks a succinct directional adverb signaling 'toward here.' There is no significant theological evolution in the word's use; its meaning remains spatial. Later Rabbinic and post-biblical Hebrew largely replaced הֲלֹם with other terms for 'here' and 'to here.'

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the article (see הָלְאָהxlit hâlᵉâh corrected to hâlᵉʼâh); hither; here, hither(-(to)), thither.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

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Root Family

הלם (h-l-m) — to go, to approach, to move to a place

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1986 הָלַם They struck me
H1987 הֶלֶם Smiter
H1989 הַלְמוּת to a striking-hammer-of
H3095 יַהֲלֹם and strike-hardened gem
H4112 מַהֲלֻמָּה for strike-wounds

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1988-01 הֲלֹ֛ם halom HD here to this place 11

Occurrences in Scripture

11 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1988-01 Genesis 16:13 הֲלֹ֛ם halom HD here to this place
H1988-01 Exodus 3:5 הֲלֹ֑ם halom HD here. to this place
H1988-01 Judges 18:3 הֲלֹ֔ם halom HD here to this place
H1988-01 Judges 20:7 הֲלֹֽם halom HD here to this place
H1988-01 1 Samuel 10:22 הֲלֹ֣ם halom HD here to this place
H1988-01 1 Samuel 14:36 הֲלֹ֖ם halom HD here to this place
H1988-01 1 Samuel 14:38 הֲלֹ֔ם halom HD here to this place
H1988-01 2 Samuel 7:18 הֲלֹֽם halom HD hither to this place
H1988-01 Psalms 73:10 הֲלֹ֑ם halom HD hither to this place
H1988-01 Ruth 2:14 הֲלֹם֙ halom HD hither to this place
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