יוֹנַת אֵלֶם רְחֹקִים
𐤉𐤅𐤍𐤕 𐤀𐤋𐤌 𐤓𐤇𐤒𐤉𐤌
yôwnath ʼêlem rᵉchôqîym
H3128
SILEX Entry
Definition
A poetic or musical term, literally meaning 'dove of silence of distant ones' or 'dove of the distant silence.' Used in the superscription of Psalm 56 as the name of a specific melody or tune to which the psalm was to be sung. The phrase may connote an atmosphere of sorrowful longing, distance, or muted lament, possibly referencing either the tone of the music or the thematic setting of the text.
Semantic Range
tune title, poetic or musical designation, dove of silence, dove of the distant ones, dove of muted distance, ascription in psalmody
Root / Etymology
A compound phrase formed from יוֹנָה (yônah, 'dove'), אֵלֶם (elem, probably 'silence' or 'mute'), and רְחוֹקִים (rekhoqim, 'distant ones,' plural of רָחוֹק). The phrase does not derive from a single root but combines the imagery and meanings of these components.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The phrase יוֹנַת אֵלֶם רְחֹקִים appears uniquely in the superscription to Psalm 56, where it designates a specific musical or poetic style, much like several other psalm headings (e.g. 'To the tune of...' or 'According to...'). The meaning of the phrase is debated: 'dove' is often a symbol of innocence or lament in biblical poetry; 'silence' or 'mute' likely evokes voicelessness, mourning, or oppression; 'distant ones' suggests exile or estrangement. Some interpret the phrase as a reference to the psalmist's personal experience of distress and exile, though the heading primarily serves a liturgical or musical function. In many English translations, the phrase is transliterated rather than translated due to uncertainty concerning its reference and exact meaning. This title should not be conflated with a proper name or narrative character, nor does it directly refer to an individual Israelite or group. Its association with the psalm's content and emotional tone is interpretive and not strictly lexical. Later Jewish interpretative traditions sometimes read messianic or typological meanings into such headings, but such readings go beyond the strictly lexical or historical.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from יוֹנָה and אֵלֶם and the plural of רָחוֹק; dove of (the) silence (i.e. dumb Israel) of (i.e. among) distances (i.e. strangers); the title of a ditty (used for a name of its melody); Jonath-elem-rechokim.
Bantu Hebrew
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Occurrences in Scripture
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