Original Word: אִלֵּם
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: illem
Pronunciation: il-LEM
Phonetic Spelling: (il-lame')
Definition: Mute, speechless, silent
Meaning: speechless

dumb man

From 'alam; speechless -- dumb (man).

see HEBREW 'alam

Word Origin
from the same as alam
Definition
mute (unable to speak)
NASB Translation
mute (4), mute man (1), speechless (1).

אִלֵּם adjective dumb, unable to speak; Exodus 4:11 מִי שָׂם מֶּה לָֽאָדָם אוֺ מִי יָשׂוּם אִלֵּם; Isaiah 56:10 כְּלָבִים אִלְּמִים figurative of false prophets; of idols ׳אֱלִילִים א Habakkuk 2:8; as substantive Proverbs 31:8; Psalm 38:14; Isaiah 35:6.

אֻלָּם see III. אוּלָם p. 19.

אֵלָם see אֵילָם below II. אול.

Word Origin: Derived from the root אָלַם (alam), which means "to bind" or "to be silent."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G216: ἄλαλος (alalos) • meaning "speechless" or "mute."
• G1769: ἐννέος (enneos) • meaning "dumb" or "speechless."
• G2974: κωφός (kophos) • meaning "deaf" or "mute."
• G3424: μωρός (moros) • meaning "dull" or "foolish," sometimes used metaphorically for speechlessness.

These Greek terms reflect similar concepts found in the New Testament, where the condition of being mute is often associated with miraculous healings performed by Jesus, demonstrating His divine authority and compassion.

Usage: The term אִלֵּם is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe individuals who are unable to speak, either due to a physical condition or as a metaphor for being silenced or rendered speechless.

Context: The Hebrew word אִלֵּם appears in the context of individuals who are unable to speak. This condition can be understood both literally and metaphorically. In the literal sense, it refers to those who are physically mute, as seen in various biblical narratives where individuals are healed from their inability to speak. Metaphorically, it can describe a state of being silenced or rendered speechless due to awe, fear, or divine intervention.

In the Hebrew Bible, the concept of being speechless is often associated with divine acts or judgments. For example, in Isaiah 35:6, the prophet speaks of a future time when "the mute tongue will shout for joy," indicating a miraculous transformation and restoration. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's power to heal and restore.

The condition of being mute is also used to highlight the limitations of human ability in contrast to divine power. In Exodus 4:11, God reminds Moses of His sovereignty over human faculties, including speech, by saying, "Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute?" This underscores the belief in God's ultimate control over all aspects of creation.

אִלְּמִ֔ים אִלְּמִֽים׃ אִלֵּ֑ם אִלֵּ֔ם אלם אלמים אלמים׃ וּ֝כְאִלֵּ֗ם וכאלם לְאִלֵּ֑ם לאלם ’il·lə·mîm ’il·lêm ’illêm ’illəmîm ilLem illeMim lə’illêm lə·’il·lêm leilLem ū·ḵə·’il·lêm ucheilLem ūḵə’illêmInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts