עָלוּם
𐤏𐤋𐤅𐤌
ʻâlûwm
H5934 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A collective or abstract noun (used only in the plural) referring to the state or period of youth or adolescence, with an emphasis on youthful vigor, physical prime, and the social or experiential qualities associated with young adulthood. The term denotes the age between childhood and full adulthood, and may carry connotations of vigor, physical capability, and inexperience.
Semantic Range
youth, adolescence, prime of life, youthful vigor, state of being young, young adulthood
Root / Etymology
From the root עָלַם (ʿ-l-m), which fundamentally means 'to be hidden, concealed.' The noun עֶלֶם ('elem) means ‘youth or young man.’ עָלוּם (ʿālûm) is formed as a passive participle, stressing the state of being young. Thus, the meaning has shifted from the idea of ‘that which is hidden’ (i.e., one's youth or potential) to the period marked by youthfulness. The denominative development from עֶלֶם retains this focus on age and state, not concealment.
Historical & Contextual Notes
עָלוּם occurs only in plural form (עֲלוּמִים) and only as a collective/abstract noun, not as a specific individual youth. The term is found in poetic or wisdom literature (e.g., Psalms, Job, Ecclesiastes) and typically contrasts with old age (cf. שֵׂיבָה, ‘old age, gray hair’). In Biblical usage, עֲלוּמִים emphasizes the qualities, strengths, and experiences of youth as a life stage, often serving as a metaphor for vigor or prime condition. English translations often render it 'youth,' 'youthfulness,' or 'prime,' but may miss nuances of physical strength and social standing. The word does not denote a specific social class or institutional group, but rather expresses the idealized or experiential characteristics of being young. Over time, the adjacent root meanings of ‘concealment’ faded and the association with youth (as ‘hidden’/potential) became the dominant sense. Related terms: נַעַר (naʿar, ‘boy, young man, servant’), עֶלֶם (elem, ‘youth, young man’), though עָלוּם denotes the abstract state or quality, not the person.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
passive participle of עָלַם in the denominative sense of עֶלֶם; (only in plural as abstract) adolescence; figuratively, vigor; youth.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עלם (ʿ-l-m) — to be hidden, to conceal; to be youthful
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3281 | יַעְלָם | Yaʿlam |
| H492 | אַלְמֹנִי | anonymous one |
| H5769 | עוֹלָם | for the hidden age |
| H5867 | עֵילָם | in Elam |
| H5956 | עָלַם | I will conceal |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5934-02 |
עֲלוּמָ֑י/ו | alumayv | HNcmpc/Sp3ms |
of his youth | his youthful years | 3 |
H5934-01 |
עֲלוּמַ֨יִ/ךְ֙ | alumayikhe | HNcmpc/Sp2fs |
of your youth | your youthful years | 1 |
H5934-03 |
עלומ/ו | lvmv | HNcmpc/Sp3ms |
of his youth | his youthful-years | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5934-01 |
Isaiah 54:4 | עֲלוּמַ֨יִ/ךְ֙ | alumayikhe | HNcmpc/Sp2fs |
of your youth | your youthful years |
H5934-02 |
Psalms 89:46 | עֲלוּמָ֑י/ו | alumayv | HNcmpc/Sp3ms |
of his youth | his youthful years |
H5934-03 |
Job 20:11 | עלומ/ו | lvmv | HNcmpc/Sp3ms |
of his youth | his youthful-years |
H5934-02 |
Job 20:11 | עֲלוּמָ֑י/ו | alumayv | HNcmpc/Sp3ms |
of his youth | his youthful years |
H5934-02 |
Job 33:25 | עֲלוּמָֽי/ו | alumayv | HNcmpc/Sp3ms |
of his youth | his youthful years |