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עָלַם

𐤏𐤋𐤌

ʻâlam

H5957 noun

SILEX Entry

Root עלם to conceal, to be hidden, to be everlasting

Definition

To be forever, to continue indefinitely or eternally; often used adverbially to denote a duration with no known end, extending into the remote past or future. Frequently signifies an ongoing or perpetual state, custom, decree, or period, and occasionally an 'age' or epoch whose limits are undefined.

Semantic Range

to continue forever, to last for an age, to persist for a remote or indefinite time, eternally, permanently, since ancient times, perpetual, for ages, always

Root / Etymology

Root: עלם. In Aramaic, this root communicates the notion of being hidden, concealed, or everlasting. The term parallels the Hebrew noun עוֹלָם (ʻolam), meaning 'a long duration, eternity, antiquity.' Here, עָלַם reflects the verbal sense of concealedness and indefinite duration, characterizing a time period that is effectively out of sight or beyond perception (whether past, present, or future).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible, עָלַם typically describes time extending indefinitely—either backward (ancient times) or forward (perpetuity). Usage is mostly adverbial: 'forever,' 'from of old,' 'for ages,' or 'eternally.' Distinct from the Hebrew עוֹלָם, but conceptually similar. In some contexts, emphasizes the unchangeableness or immutability of decrees or conditions, especially in legal or cultic texts (e.g., in Daniel and Ezra). English translations ('forever,' 'everlasting') often overstate the philosophical sense of literal infinity; the Aramaic often points to a time beyond normal reckoning, not necessarily endlessness in the philosophical or theological sense. In Persian and Hellenistic contexts, the term takes on a more abstract notion of eternal rule or dominion. Contrast with related Hebrew terms such as נֵצַח (netsach, 'endurance, perpetuity') and עַד ('continually, perpetually'), which may imply duration but less focus on mysterious or inscrutable length. The term is particularly characteristic of exilic and post-exilic Aramaic biblical texts; in older Hebrew material, עוֹלָם is preferred.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to עוֹלָם; remote time, i.e. the future or past indefinitely; often adverb, forever; for (n-)ever (lasting), old.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עלם (ʿ-l-m) — hiddenness, concealment, everlasting duration

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3281 יַעְלָם Yaʿlam
H492 אַלְמֹנִי anonymous one
H5769 עוֹלָם for the hidden age
H5867 עֵילָם in Elam
H5934 עָלוּם your youthful years

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5957-05 לְ/עָלְמִ֣ין lealemin AR/Ncmpa forever for the ages 7
H5957-02 עָלְמָ֖/א alema ANcmsd/Td ancient the everlasting age 6
H5957-01 עָלַ֔ם alam ANcmsa everlasting age-long duration 5
H5957-03 עָלְמַיָּֽ/א alemaya ANcmpd/Td and ever the everlasting ages 1
H5957-04 לְ/עָלְמַיָּֽ/א lealemaya AR/Ncmpd/Td forever to the everlasting ages 1

Occurrences in Scripture

20 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5957-05 Daniel 2:4 לְ/עָלְמִ֣ין lealemin AR/Ncmpa forever for the ages
H5957-02 Daniel 2:20 עָלְמָ֖/א alema ANcmsd/Td eternity the everlasting age
H5957-02 Daniel 2:20 עָלְמָ֑/א alema-2 ANcmsd/Td eternity the everlasting age
H5957-05 Daniel 2:44 לְ/עָלְמִין֙ lealemin AR/Ncmpa forever for the ages
H5957-04 Daniel 2:44 לְ/עָלְמַיָּֽ/א lealemaya AR/Ncmpd/Td forever to the everlasting ages
H5957-05 Daniel 3:9 לְ/עָלְמִ֥ין lealemin AR/Ncmpa forever for the ages
H5957-01 Daniel 3:33 עָלַ֔ם alam ANcmsa everlasting age-long duration
H5957-02 Daniel 4:31 עָלְמָ֖/א alema ANcmsd/Td the-eternal the everlasting age
H5957-01 Daniel 4:31 עָלַ֔ם alam ANcmsa eternal age-long duration
H5957-05 Daniel 5:10 לְ/עָלְמִ֣ין lealemin AR/Ncmpa forever for the ages
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