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עַמּוּד

𐤏𐤌𐤅𐤃

ʻammûwd

H5982 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A vertical structural element which stands upright, typically serving as a support for a roof, ceiling, or other structure; a pillar, column, or post. Also refers to a natural or metaphorical 'pillar', such as a pillar of cloud or fire, as well as a stand or base for an object (such as a lampstand). In extended or idiomatic usage, can refer to an individual item as 'apiece.' The sense always involves something that stands prominently and supports or displays.

Semantic Range

pillar, column, post, platform, base, stand, upright support, memorial pillar, pillar of cloud/fire, apiece (each, one by one)

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root עמד (ʿ-m-d), meaning 'to stand, remain standing, be set or positioned.' The noun עַמּוּד is formed as a substantive denoting 'that which stands' or 'one who/which stands.' Root meaning ('to stand') is more basic and general, while the noun specializes in denoting objects that are vertical supports or markers.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Throughout the Hebrew Bible, עַמּוּד is the standard term for a structural pillar or column—used in both architectural (Exod 27:10; 1 Kgs 7:15) and symbolic contexts (the pillar of cloud/fire in Exod 13:21-22). It occurs in descriptions of tabernacle and temple furniture, palatial architecture, and sometimes as a metaphor for firmness, prominence, or guidance. In some texts, it refers to pillar-shaped objects or bases, such as lampstands (Num 8:4), or platforms on which something is set up for display or ritual. Metaphorical uses (such as a 'pillar' of society) are rare or absent; the word retains a concrete sense in most biblical texts. The idiomatic use 'apiece' (e.g., Exod 27:15) derives from the idea of counting by individual pillars. English translations occasionally restrict to 'pillar' where 'post' or 'column' would also be valid; the semantic range in Hebrew includes all types of free-standing vertical supports, natural or artificial. In later periods, Aramaic and post-biblical Hebrew continue these uses, sometimes extending figurative meanings more commonly.

Translation Consistency

primary "pillar" 44 occurrences

'Pillar' is the most natural, concise English term that covers the primary semantic range (pillar, column, post, memorial pillar, pillar of cloud/fire, stand/base). It matches the most frequent P2 renderings and reads well in both literal and figurative contexts; using the singular noun 'pillar' provides a consistent base form for all inflected/pluralized occurrences.

Alternatives (6 occurrences):
"standing-pillar of" (5x) "standing-pillars" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or עַמֻּד; from עָמַד; a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e. platform; [idiom] apiece, pillar.

Bantu Hebrew

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

Root Family

עמד (maʻămâd) — to stand, take a position, remain in place

Root עמד to stand, remain standing, be positioned
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4612 מַעֲמָד their standing-place
H4613 מׇעֳמָד standing place
H5975 עָמַד he stood
H5976 עָמַד and you caused to stand
H5977 עֹמֶד their standing-place

Word Forms

23 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H5982-10 הָֽ/עַמּוּדִ֔ים haamudim HTd/Ncmpa the pillars the standing pillars the standing pillars 32
H5982-03 עַמּוּדֵ֣י amudey HNcmpc pillars standing-pillars of pillars of 11
H5982-05 עַמֻּדֵי/הֶ֣ם amudeyhem HNcmpc/Sp3mp their pillars their standing-pillars their pillars 9
H5982-01 עַמּ֥וּד amud HNcmsc pillar standing pillar pillar of 8
H5982-09 הָ/עַמּ֣וּד haamud HTd/Ncmsa the pillar the standing pillar the pillar 8
H5982-08 בְּ/עַמּ֣וּד beamud HR/Ncmsc in-pillar in a standing-pillar of in a standing-pillar of 6
H5982-02 עַמֻּדָ֖י/ו amudayv HNcmpc/Sp3ms its pillars its standing pillars its standing pillars 5
H5982-17 וְ/עַמֻּדָ֣י/ו veamudayv HC/Ncmpc/Sp3ms and its pillars and his standing-pillars and his pillars 5
H5982-06 עַמֻּדִ֣ים amudim HNcmpa pillars upright supports pillars 4
H5982-15 וּ/בְ/עַמּ֣וּד uveamud HC/R/Ncmsc and in/by a pillar and in a standing-pillar of and in a pillar of 4

Occurrences in Scripture

112 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H5982-08 Exodus 13:21 בְּ/עַמּ֤וּד beamud HR/Ncmsc in-pillar in a standing-pillar of in a standing-pillar of
H5982-08 Exodus 13:21 בְּ/עַמּ֥וּד beamud-2 HR/Ncmsc in-pillar in a standing-pillar of in a standing-pillar of
H5982-01 Exodus 13:22 עַמּ֤וּד amud HNcmsc pillar standing pillar pillar of
H5982-16 Exodus 13:22 וְ/עַמּ֥וּד veamud HC/Ncmsc and the pillar standing-pillar of and pillar
H5982-01 Exodus 14:19 עַמּ֤וּד amud HNcmsc pillar standing pillar pillar of
H5982-08 Exodus 14:24 בְּ/עַמּ֥וּד beamud HR/Ncmsc in the pillar in a standing-pillar of in a standing-pillar of
H5982-03 Exodus 26:32 עַמּוּדֵ֣י amudey HNcmpc pillars-of standing-pillars of pillars of
H5982-03 Exodus 26:37 עַמּוּדֵ֣י amudey HNcmpc pillars standing-pillars of pillars of
H5982-17 Exodus 27:10 וְ/עַמֻּדָ֣י/ו veamudayv HC/Ncmpc/Sp3ms and its pillars and his standing-pillars and his pillars
H5982-10 Exodus 27:10 הָ/עַמֻּדִ֛ים haamudim HTd/Ncmpa of the pillars the standing pillars the standing pillars
H5982-23 Exodus 27:11 ו/עמד/ו vmdv HC/Ncmsc/Sp3ms and its pillars and his standing-pillar and its pillar
H5982-17 Exodus 27:11 וְ/עַמּוּדָ֣י/ו veamudayv HC/Ncmpc/Sp3ms and its pillars and his standing-pillars and his pillars
H5982-10 Exodus 27:11 הָֽ/עַמֻּדִ֛ים haamudim HTd/Ncmpa of the pillars the standing pillars of the pillars
H5982-05 Exodus 27:12 עַמֻּדֵי/הֶ֣ם amudeyhem HNcmpc/Sp3mp their pillars their standing-pillars their pillars
H5982-05 Exodus 27:14 עַמֻּדֵי/הֶ֣ם amudeyhem HNcmpc/Sp3mp their pillars their standing-pillars their pillars
H5982-05 Exodus 27:15 עַמֻּדֵי/הֶ֣ם amudeyhem HNcmpc/Sp3mp their pillars their standing-pillars their pillars
H5982-05 Exodus 27:16 עַמֻּֽדֵי/הֶם֙ amudeyhem HNcmpc/Sp3mp their-pillars their standing-pillars their pillars
H5982-03 Exodus 27:17 עַמּוּדֵ֨י amudey HNcmpc pillars standing-pillars of pillars of
H5982-01 Exodus 33:9 עַמּ֣וּד amud HNcmsc pillar standing pillar pillar of
H5982-01 Exodus 33:10 עַמּ֣וּד amud HNcmsc pillar standing pillar pillar of
H5982-02 Exodus 35:11 עַמֻּדָ֖י/ו amudayv HNcmpc/Sp3ms its pillars its standing pillars its standing pillars
H5982-02 Exodus 35:17 עַמֻּדָ֖י/ו amudayv HNcmpc/Sp3ms its pillars its standing pillars its standing pillars
H5982-03 Exodus 36:36 עַמּוּדֵ֣י amudey HNcmpc pillars standing-pillars of pillars of
H5982-02 Exodus 36:38 עַמּוּדָ֤י/ו amudayv HNcmpc/Sp3ms pillars its standing pillars its standing pillars
H5982-05 Exodus 38:10 עַמּוּדֵי/הֶ֣ם amudeyhem HNcmpc/Sp3mp their pillars their standing-pillars their pillars
H5982-10 Exodus 38:10 הָ/עַמֻּדִ֛ים haamudim HTd/Ncmpa the pillars the standing pillars the standing pillars
H5982-05 Exodus 38:11 עַמּוּדֵי/הֶ֣ם amudeyhem HNcmpc/Sp3mp their pillars their standing-pillars their pillars
H5982-10 Exodus 38:11 הָֽ/עַמּוּדִ֛ים haamudim HTd/Ncmpa of the pillars the standing pillars the standing pillars
H5982-05 Exodus 38:12 עַמּוּדֵי/הֶ֥ם amudeyhem HNcmpc/Sp3mp their pillars their standing-pillars their pillars
H5982-10 Exodus 38:12 הָ/עַמֻּדִ֛ים haamudim HTd/Ncmpa of the pillars the standing pillars the standing pillars
H5982-05 Exodus 38:14 עַמּוּדֵי/הֶ֣ם amudeyhem HNcmpc/Sp3mp their pillars their standing-pillars their pillars
H5982-05 Exodus 38:15 עַמֻּדֵי/הֶ֣ם amudeyhem HNcmpc/Sp3mp their pillars their standing-pillars their pillars
H5982-13 Exodus 38:17 לָֽ/עַמֻּדִים֮ laamudim HRd/Ncmpa for the pillars to the standing-pillars for the pillars
H5982-10 Exodus 38:17 הָֽ/עַמּוּדִ֜ים haamudim HTd/Ncmpa of the pillars the standing pillars the standing pillars
H5982-03 Exodus 38:17 עַמֻּדֵ֥י amudey HNcmpc pillars standing-pillars of pillars of
H5982-20 Exodus 38:19 וְ/עַמֻּֽדֵי/הֶם֙ veamudeyhem HC/Ncmpc/Sp3mp and their pillars their standing-pillars and their pillars
H5982-13 Exodus 38:28 לָ/עַמּוּדִ֑ים laamudim HRd/Ncmpa for the pillars to the standing-pillars for the pillars
H5982-17 Exodus 39:33 וְ/עַמֻּדָ֥י/ו veamudayv HC/Ncmpc/Sp3ms and its pillars and his standing-pillars and his pillars
H5982-04 Exodus 39:40 עַמֻּדֶ֣י/הָ amudeyha HNcmpc/Sp3fs its pillars her standing-pillars her standing-pillars
H5982-02 Exodus 40:18 עַמּוּדָֽי/ו amudayv HNcmpc/Sp3ms its pillars its standing pillars its standing pillars
H5982-17 Numbers 3:36 וְ/עַמֻּדָ֣י/ו veamudayv HC/Ncmpc/Sp3ms and its pillars and his standing-pillars and his pillars
H5982-18 Numbers 3:37 וְ/עַמֻּדֵ֧י veamudey HC/Ncmpc and the posts and pillars of and pillars of
H5982-17 Numbers 4:31 וְ/עַמּוּדָ֥י/ו veamudayv HC/Ncmpc/Sp3ms and its pillars and his standing-pillars and his pillars
H5982-18 Numbers 4:32 וְ/עַמּוּדֵי֩ veamudey HC/Ncmpc and-the-pillars and pillars of and pillars of
H5982-08 Numbers 12:5 בְּ/עַמּ֣וּד beamud HR/Ncmsc in-the-pillar in a standing-pillar of in a standing-pillar of
H5982-15 Numbers 14:14 וּ/בְ/עַמֻּ֣ד uveamud HC/R/Ncmsc and-in-pillar and in a standing-pillar of and in a pillar of
H5982-15 Numbers 14:14 וּ/בְ/עַמּ֥וּד uveamud-2 HC/R/Ncmsc and-in-pillar and in a standing-pillar of and in a pillar of
H5982-08 Deuteronomy 31:15 בְּ/עַמּ֣וּד beamud HR/Ncmsc in a pillar in a standing-pillar of in a standing-pillar of
H5982-01 Deuteronomy 31:15 עַמּ֥וּד amud HNcmsc pillar standing pillar pillar of
H5982-10 Judges 16:25 הָ/עַמּוּדִֽים haamudim HTd/Ncmpa the pillars the standing pillars the standing pillars
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