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נְאֻם

𐤍𐤀𐤌

nᵉʼum

H5002 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A formal prophetic utterance, often styled as a solemn pronouncement or declaration; typically introduces or concludes an authoritative statement from a divine or exalted speaker. In biblical contexts, most frequently used to signal a direct message attributed to YHWH or, more rarely, another speaker. Serves as a marker for the authenticity and the gravity of the message delivered. Semantic range includes: oracle, utterance, divine pronouncement, affirmation, declaration.

Semantic Range

oracle, utterance, pronouncement, declaration, formal divine statement, affirmation, solemn proclamation

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root נָאַם (n-'-m), which means 'to utter, say, declare.' נְאֻם is a noun formed from this root, signifying the act or content of a formal proclamation, especially in a prophetic context. The root itself appears primarily in verbal forms but is functionally fossilized in this noun, especially in formulaic expressions.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, נְאֻם functions as a technical term introducing or validating prophetic utterances, most frequently in the formulaic construction נְאֻם יְהוָה ('declaration of YHWH'), which appears widely across prophetic and poetic texts from the monarchic through post-exilic periods. The term's usage underscores the authority and solemnity of the words that follow, distinguishing them from ordinary speech. Occasionally, the form is used with other subjects (including prominent individuals), though the overwhelming preponderance is in relation to YHWH. English translations often render the formula as 'says the LORD' or 'declares YHWH,' though 'oracle' or 'utterance' may better reflect its technical function. Unlike the generic verb 'to say' (אָמַר), נְאֻם is reserved for formal, weighty pronouncements and is seldom, if ever, used for everyday speech. Its appearance typically signals material intended for public proclamation, authoritative instruction, or eschatological promise.

Translation Consistency

primary "declaration" 50 occurrences

ne'um is a formal prophetic utterance—an authoritative pronouncement or oracle. "Declaration" is a natural, commonly used noun that captures the sense of pronouncement/utterance/solemn pronouncement in ordinary English, matches the primary SILEX senses (oracle, pronouncement, affirmation), and reads naturally across contexts (e.g. "the declaration of the LORD"). It also aligns with frequent P2 renderings while avoiding less appropriate adjective or verb-only choices.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from נָאַם; an oracle; (hath) said, saith.

Bantu Hebrew

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

Root Family

נאם (Nemueli) — to utter, to declare, to proclaim

Root נאם to utter, to declare, to say solemnly
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H5001 נָאַם and they declared
H5242 נְמוּאֵלִי the Nemuelite clansman

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H5002-01 נְאֻם neum HNcmsc declares solemn utterance of declaration of 372
H5002-03 וּ/נְאֻ֤ם uneum HC/Ncmsc And the oracle and solemn declaration of and solemn declaration of 3
H5002-02 נְאֻום neuvm HNcmsc says solemn utterance of utterance of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

376 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H5002-01 Genesis 22:16 נְאֻם neum HNcmsc declares solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Numbers 14:28 נְאֻם neum HNcmsc declares solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Numbers 24:3 נְאֻ֤ם neum HNcmsc The oracle solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-03 Numbers 24:3 וּ/נְאֻ֥ם uneum HC/Ncmsc And the oracle and solemn declaration of and solemn declaration of
H5002-01 Numbers 24:4 נְאֻ֕ם neum HNcmsc utterance solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Numbers 24:15 נְאֻ֤ם neum HNcmsc The oracle solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-03 Numbers 24:15 וּ/נְאֻ֥ם uneum HC/Ncmsc and the oracle and solemn declaration of and solemn declaration of
H5002-01 Numbers 24:16 נְאֻ֗ם neum HNcmsc oracle solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 1 Samuel 2:30 נְאֻם neum HNcmsc declares solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 1 Samuel 2:30 נְאֻם neum-2 HNcmsc declares solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 2 Samuel 23:1 נְאֻ֧ם neum HNcmsc declaration of solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-03 2 Samuel 23:1 וּ/נְאֻ֤ם uneum HC/Ncmsc and the declaration of and solemn declaration of and solemn declaration of
H5002-01 2 Kings 9:26 נְאֻם neum HNcmsc declares solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 2 Kings 9:26 נְאֻם neum-2 HNcmsc declares solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 2 Kings 19:33 נְאֻם neum HNcmsc declares solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 2 Kings 22:19 נְאֻם neum HNcmsc declares solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Isaiah 1:24 נְאֻ֤ם neum HNcmsc declares solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Isaiah 3:15 נְאֻם neum HNcmsc declares solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Isaiah 14:22 נְאֻ֖ם neum HNcmsc declares solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Isaiah 14:22 נְאֻם neum-2 HNcmsc declares solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Isaiah 14:23 נְאֻ֖ם neum HNcmsc declares solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Isaiah 17:3 נְאֻ֖ם neum HNcmsc utterance solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Isaiah 17:6 נְאֻם neum HNcmsc declaration solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Isaiah 19:4 נְאֻ֥ם neum HNcmsc declaration solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Isaiah 22:25 נְאֻם֙ neum HNcmsc declares solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Isaiah 30:1 נְאֻם neum HNcmsc declares solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Isaiah 31:9 נְאֻם neum HNcmsc declares solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Isaiah 37:34 נְאֻם neum HNcmsc declares solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Isaiah 41:14 נְאֻם neum HNcmsc declares solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Isaiah 43:10 נְאֻם neum HNcmsc says solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Isaiah 43:12 נְאֻם neum HNcmsc declares solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Isaiah 49:18 נְאֻם neum HNcmsc declares solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Isaiah 52:5 נְאֻם neum HNcmsc declaration-of solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Isaiah 52:5 נְאֻם neum-2 HNcmsc declaration-of solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Isaiah 54:17 נְאֻם neum HNcmsc declares solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Isaiah 55:8 נְאֻ֖ם neum HNcmsc declares solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Isaiah 56:8 נְאֻם֙ neum HNcmsc declares solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Isaiah 59:20 נְאֻ֖ם neum HNcmsc declares solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Isaiah 66:2 נְאֻם neum HNcmsc declares solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Isaiah 66:17 נְאֻם neum HNcmsc says solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Isaiah 66:22 נְאֻם neum HNcmsc says solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Jeremiah 1:8 נְאֻם neum HNcmsc declares solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Jeremiah 1:15 נְאֻם neum HNcmsc says solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Jeremiah 1:19 נְאֻם neum HNcmsc says solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Jeremiah 2:3 נְאֻם neum HNcmsc declaration solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Jeremiah 2:9 נְאֻם neum HNcmsc declares solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Jeremiah 2:12 נְאֻם neum HNcmsc says solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Jeremiah 2:19 נְאֻם neum HNcmsc utterance solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Jeremiah 2:22 נְאֻ֖ם neum HNcmsc declaration solemn utterance of declaration of
H5002-01 Jeremiah 2:29 נְאֻם neum HNcmsc declares solemn utterance of declaration of
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