Original Word: אָלַם
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: alam
Pronunciation: ah-lahm
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-lam')
KJV: bind, be dumb, put to silence
NASB: mute, became speechless, become mute, binding, silent, speechless
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to tie fast
2. hence (of the mouth) to be tongue-tied

bind, be dumb, put to silence

A primitive root; to tie fast; hence (of the mouth) to be tongue-tied -- bind, be dumb, put to silence.

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
to bind
NASB Translation
became speechless (1), become mute (1), binding (1), mute (4), silent (1), speechless (1).

[אָלַם] verb bind (perhaps compare Assyrian [al¹mu], almattu, fortress Dl in Zim^{BP 114} & in BD^Ezek.:xi; Arabic be in pain, Aramaic retain anger).

Niph`al (be bound =) be dumb, Perfect3feminine singular נֶאֱלָ֑מָה Isaiah 53:7; וְנֶאֱלַמְתָּ֫ Ezekiel 3:26, etc.; Imperfect2masculine singular תֵּאָלֵם Ezekiel 24:27; 3feminine plural תֵּאָלַמְנָה Psalm 31:19. — 1 be dumb, i.e. silent Psalm 39:3 דוּמִיָּה ׳נ ("" הֶחֱשֵׁיתִי); compare Psalm 39:10 ("" לֹא אֶפְתַּחמִּֿי); simile of sheep Isaiah 53:7 ("" id.); be dumb, i.e. unable to speak Ezekiel 3:26 (result of וּלְשׁוֺנְךָ אַדְבִּיק אֶלחִֿכָּ֑ךָ) compare Ezekiel 24:27 יִמָּתַח מִּיךָ ֗֗֗ וּתְדַבֵּר וְלֹא תֵאָלֵם עוֺד; Ezekiel 33:22 וַיִּפְתַּח מִּי וְלֹא נֶאֱלַמְתִּי עוֺד; also Daniel 10:15 (compare Daniel 10:16); be made dumb subject שִׂפְתֵי שָׁ֑קֶר lying lips Psalm 31:19 ("" יִדְּמוּ לִשְׁאוֺל Psalm 31:18).

Pi`el Participle bind Genesis 37:7 (E) מְאַלְּמִים אֲלֻמִּים binding sheaves.

Agricultural Origin: Binding the Sheaves (Genesis 37:7)

The first biblical appearance of the verb occurs in Joseph’s opening dream: “There we were, binding sheaves of grain in the field, and suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to my sheaf” (Genesis 37:7). The ordinary farm task of tying stalks together becomes a prophetic picture of God’s sovereign design. Joseph will one day “bind” the resources of Egypt and surrounding nations during famine and, more importantly, draw together his brothers in repentance. The action foretells both provision and reconciliation, reminding readers that daily labor can be woven into divine purpose.

Silencing Falsehood and Cultivating Godly Restraint (Psalms 31 and 39)

Psalm 31:18 pleads, “May lying lips be silenced; may they speak no more in pride and contempt against the righteous.” Here the verb expresses the plea that slander be forcibly stopped. In Psalm 39 David applies the same verb to himself: “I was speechless and still; I held my peace, even from good… I have become mute; I do not open my mouth because it is You who have done it” (Psalm 39:2, 9). The silencing of evil tongues protects the innocent, while the voluntary silence of the righteous displays trust amid discipline. Together the Psalms teach that speech is restrained either by divine judgment or by reverent submission, and that the believer’s tongue must be ruled by a heart that rests in God.

Messianic Silence in Redemptive Suffering (Isaiah 53:7)

Isaiah declares of the Servant: “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth” (Isaiah 53:7). The verb captures Messiah’s deliberate refusal to defend Himself during His passion. The Gospel writers echo this prophecy (Matthew 27:12–14; Mark 15:4–5; Luke 23:9), and 1 Peter 2:23 calls believers to the same pattern of trusting silence when reviled. Thus the word points beyond mere quietness to the victorious meekness of Christ, who conquers sin not by protest but by sacrifice.

Prophetic Sign-Acts of Judgment and Restoration (Ezekiel 3:26; 24:27; 33:22)

The Lord tells Ezekiel, “I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth, and you will be mute… for they are a rebellious house” (Ezekiel 3:26). The enforced muteness lasts until the fall of Jerusalem; then “your mouth will be opened… and you shall speak and no longer be silent” (Ezekiel 24:27; 33:22). Silence here functions as a living parable: when the word of God is despised, the word of God is withdrawn. Conversely, when judgment is complete and hope dawns, speech returns. The cycle warns that prophetic privilege can be lost through hardness of heart but will be graciously restored according to God’s covenant faithfulness.

Speechless before the Majestic Vision (Daniel 10:15)

In Daniel’s final vision, the overwhelming glory of the heavenly messenger leaves the prophet incapacitated: “I set my face toward the ground and became speechless” (Daniel 10:15). The absence of words is not punitive but reverential. Mortal lips fall silent before unveiled holiness, underscoring that revelation is received, not demanded. The episode anticipates the eschatological hush of Habakkuk 2:20 and Revelation 8:1, where creation stands silent in awe of divine self-disclosure.

Ministry Reflections

1. Work and Witness: The verb’s agricultural sense encourages believers to regard everyday tasks as potential platforms for God’s redemptive plans, just as Joseph’s sheaves prefigured national salvation.
2. Tongue and Testimony: Whether silence is imposed (Psalm 31, Ezekiel) or chosen (Psalm 39, Isaiah 53), Scripture links it to humility, repentance, and trust. In a culture of constant speech, purposeful quiet can bear witness to confidence in the Lord’s justice.
3. Prophetic Responsibility: Ezekiel’s muteness warns ministries not to presume upon continual utterance; words carry weight only when granted by God.
4. Worship and Wonder: Daniel’s speechlessness reminds congregations that adoration sometimes exceeds articulation. Silent reverence is a fitting response to transcendent glory.

The nine occurrences trace a path from fields of grain to the cross, from prophetic judgment to apocalyptic vision, each time inviting God’s people to recognize when to speak and when to fall silent in faith.

וְנֶֽאֱלַ֔מְתָּ וְנֶאֱלָֽמְתִּי׃ ונאלמת ונאלמתי׃ מְאַלְּמִ֤ים מאלמים נֶ֭אֱלַמְתִּי נֶאֱלַ֖מְתִּי נֶאֱלַ֣מְתִּי נֶאֱלָ֑מָה נאלמה נאלמתי תֵּ֥אָלַ֗מְנָה תֵֽאָלֵ֖ם תאלם תאלמנה mə’alləmîm mə·’al·lə·mîm mealleMim ne’ĕlāmāh ne’ĕlamtî ne·’ĕ·lā·māh ne·’ĕ·lam·tî neeLamah neeLamti tê’ālamnāh ṯê’ālêm tê·’ā·lam·nāh ṯê·’ā·lêm teaLamnah teaLem veneeLameti veneeLamta wə·ne·’ĕ·lā·mə·tî wə·ne·’ĕ·lam·tā wəne’ĕlāmətî wəne’ĕlamtāInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts