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עָמַם

𐤏𐤌𐤌

ʻâmam

H6004 verb

SILEX Entry

Root עמם to obscure, to dim, to make indistinct

Definition

To grow dark or become dim (literally or figuratively); to obscure, conceal, or cause something to lose clarity or distinctness. In limited contexts: to associate closely or come together such that outlines or identities are blurred. The primary meaning centers on the idea of obscuration, whether of light (physical dimming), vision (metaphorical fading), or understanding (concealing or hiding information).

Semantic Range

to become dim (of eyes, vision, or lights); to grow dark (physical or metaphorical); to obscure or conceal; to huddle together in a manner that causes indistinctness; to associate closely (rare, with idea of losing individual distinctness)

Root / Etymology

From the root ע־מ־ם (עָמַם), indicating a state of obscuration or growing dim. The verbal stem reflects an intransitive or causative nuance: 'to become or make dim/obscure.' This differs from the more common root related to 'people' (עָם) and should not be confused. The etymological development centers on the notion of indistinctness or concealment.

Historical & Contextual Notes

עָמַם is a rare verb in the Hebrew Bible, found primarily in poetic or metaphorical contexts (e.g., describing eyes growing dim or light fading). The core semantic domain relates to lack of clarity—either literal (dimmed sight/lights) or metaphorical (concealed information, obscured understanding). The sense of 'association' or 'huddling together'—possible in some contexts—highlights the indistinctness that results from things being massed closely. English translations vary ('become dim,' 'grow dark,' 'hide'), and sometimes reflect interpretive choices. The concept is distinct from other Hebrew roots for darkness (e.g., חשך, אפל), which often express external or existential darkness, while עָמַם emphasizes the process or result of something becoming indistinct or obscure, often from within. In later periods, related nouns or verbal forms are rare or absent, suggesting the root fell out of common use.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to associate; by implication, to overshadow (by huddling together); become dim, hide.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עמם (ʿ-m-m) — to obscure, to dim, to make indistinct

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3818 לֹא עַמִּי my people
H532 אָמִי my people
H5971 עַם gathered people
H5972 עַם a gathered people
H5980 עֻמָּה in alignment with

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6004-02 עֲמָמֽוּ/ךָ amamukha HVqp3cp/Sp2ms obscure-you they obscured you 1
H6004-01 עֲמָמֻ/הוּ֮ amamuhu HVqp3cp/Sp3ms hid it they obscured him 1
H6004-03 יוּעַ֣ם yuam HVHi3ms has grown dim he will be dimmed 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6004-02 Ezekiel 28:3 עֲמָמֽוּ/ךָ amamukha HVqp3cp/Sp2ms obscure-you they obscured you
H6004-01 Ezekiel 31:8 עֲמָמֻ/הוּ֮ amamuhu HVqp3cp/Sp3ms hid it they obscured him
H6004-03 Lamentations 4:1 יוּעַ֣ם yuam HVHi3ms has grown dim he will be dimmed
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