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עֲיָם

𐤏𐤉𐤌

ʻăyâm

H5868 noun

SILEX Entry

Root uncertain uncertain, no sure root meaning established

Definition

A proper noun designating an individual named ʻAyam, known as a descendant of Shobal of the Seirite/Horite lineage in Edomite genealogies. The meaning of the name itself is uncertain, and it does not clearly function as a common noun in Biblical usage. The root is not conclusively identifiable; any link to concepts such as 'strength' or 'might' is speculative and not established by linguistic evidence or usage patterns in the text.

Semantic Range

personal name of a Horite/Edomite figure; speculative association with strength or might, but unsubstantiated

Root / Etymology

Etymology uncertain. The name does not match a securely attested Hebrew root. Some have associated it with roots connoting 'strength' (עי"ם) based on possible parallels in Northwest Semitic or analogies with similar sounding proper names, but this remains conjecture due to lack of substantive evidence. No direct derivative from a known Hebrew root can be confirmed.

Historical & Contextual Notes

עֲיָם appears only in genealogical lists among the descendants of Seir the Horite in Edomite tradition (Genesis 36:24, 1 Chronicles 1:40), indicating its usage as a personal name within a non-Israelite, Edomite context. There is no record of any Israelite bearing this name. The meaning and origin have proved elusive for interpreters both ancient and modern, with suggestions of strength or might based mainly on phonetic speculation. English translations typically transliterate the name, but some older notes or marginalia may suggest possible meanings. The uncertainty of its etymology is noted in both classical Jewish commentaries and modern critical lexicons. No evidence exists for usage beyond personal name lists, and thus ʻAyam cannot be made to bear broader connotations within Biblical Hebrew.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of doubtful origin and authenticity; probably meaning strength; mighty.

Bantu Hebrew

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

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Root Family

uncertain (uncertain) — uncertain, no sure root meaning established

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1085 בִּלְדַּד Bildad
H1095 בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר Belteshatsar
H1114 בִּלְשָׁן Bilshan
H1150 בִּנְעָא Bin'a
H116 אֱדַיִן and then

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5868-02 עוֹנֹתָֽ/ם onotam HNcfpc/Sp3mp iniquities Ayam 1
H5868-01 בַּ/עְיָ֣ם baeyam HR/Ncmsc in-might in Ayam 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5868-01 Isaiah 11:15 בַּ/עְיָ֣ם baeyam HR/Ncmsc in-might in Ayam
H5868-02 Hosea 10:10 עוֹנֹתָֽ/ם onotam HNcfpc/Sp3mp iniquities Ayam
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