491. almanuth
Lexical Summary
almanuth: Widowhood

Original Word: אַלְמָנוּת
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: almanuwth
Pronunciation: al-mah-nooth
Phonetic Spelling: (al-maw-nooth')
KJV: widow, widowhood
NASB: widow's, widowhood, widows
Word Origin: [feminine of H488 (אַלמָן - forsaken)]

1. (concretely) a widow
2. (abstractly) widowhood

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
widow, widowhood

Feminine of 'alman; concrete, a widow; abstract, widowhood -- widow, widowhood.

see HEBREW 'alman

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
fem. of alman
Definition
widowhood
NASB Translation
widow's (2), widowhood (1), widows (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
[אַלְמָנוּת] noun feminine widowhood (Mishna id., Phoenician אלמת) suffix בִּגְדֵי אַלְמְנוּתָהּ her widow's garments Genesis 38:14,19; construct אַלְמְנוּת חַיּוּת 2 Samuel 20:3 (of David's imprisoned concubines; but text impossible; ᵐ5 We אַלְמָנוֺת חַיּוֺת, compare Dr; Klo thinks gloss); figurative of Jerusalem Isaiah 54:4 אַלְמְנוּתַיִח.

Topical Lexicon
Definition and Conceptual Scope

אַלְמָנוּת denotes the state of widowhood—life after the loss of a husband, with all its social, economic, and emotional implications. The term speaks not only to personal bereavement but also to a vulnerable legal status that demands covenantal protection and divine compassion.

Occurrences and Narrative Contexts

Genesis 38:14 and Genesis 38:19 present Tamar in “widow’s garments,” emphasizing the public visibility of widowhood and the obligations Judah’s family failed to meet.
2 Samuel 20:3 describes David’s concubines “living as widows,” shut away for life after Absalom’s rebellion—an illustration of dignified provision yet relational deprivation.
Isaiah 54:4 employs the word metaphorically: “You will forget the shame of your youth, and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.” Here Israel’s exile is likened to the grief and social stigma of a forsaken wife who is promised restoration.

Legal and Covenant Protections

While אַלְמָנוּת itself appears only four times, the Mosaic Law is saturated with directives safeguarding widows (Exodus 22:22, Deuteronomy 24:17–22). The required levirate marriage (Deuteronomy 25:5–10) is the very backdrop of Tamar’s story, underscoring God’s insistence that widowhood not lead to extinction of lineage or loss of inheritance.

Symbolic and Prophetic Dimensions

Isaiah 54:4 elevates widowhood from a social condition to a prophetic sign. Israel, once spiritually barren and bereft, will be remarried to her covenant Lord. The reproach of widowhood is lifted, revealing the steadfast love of God who “will call you back as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit” (Isaiah 54:6). The symbol anticipates the New Covenant picture of the Church as the Bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25–32).

Historical and Cultural Insights

1. Economic Vulnerability: In agrarian Israel a widow lacked the manpower to farm land and the legal clout to defend property rights. Hence God places Himself as her legal guardian (Psalm 68:5).
2. Social Identity: “Widow’s garments” (Genesis 38:14) show widowhood as a recognized status, simultaneously granting certain protections and publicizing need.
3. Honor and Shame: Isaiah’s “reproach of widowhood” reveals the cultural stigma attached to childlessness and husbandlessness. Redemption, therefore, is both spiritual and social.

Ministry Implications

1. Advocacy: The biblical witness requires proactive care for widows (Acts 6:1–6, 1 Timothy 5:3–16).
2. Holistic Support: David’s treatment of his concubines (2 Samuel 20:3) highlights physical provision without relational wholeness; true ministry seeks both.
3. Gospel Witness: Tangible love for widows signals authentic faith (James 1:27), echoing God’s own heart revealed through אַלְמָנוּת.

Theological Reflection

Widowhood lays bare human frailty and societal limitations, making God’s covenant faithfulness shine. From Tamar’s vindication to Zion’s restoration, Scripture turns the sorrow of אַלְמָנוּת into a canvas for divine justice, mercy, and hope—ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who welcomes the widow into the family of God and promises an eternal home where no reproach remains.

Forms and Transliterations
אַלְמְנ֥וּת אַלְמְנוּתַ֖יִךְ אַלְמְנוּתָ֜הּ אַלְמְנוּתָֽהּ׃ אלמנות אלמנותה אלמנותה׃ אלמנותיך ’al·mə·nū·ṯa·yiḵ ’al·mə·nū·ṯāh ’al·mə·nūṯ ’almənūṯ ’almənūṯāh ’almənūṯayiḵ almeNut almenuTah almenuTayich
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Genesis 38:14
HEB: וַתָּסַר֩ בִּגְדֵ֨י אַלְמְנוּתָ֜הּ מֵֽעָלֶ֗יהָ וַתְּכַ֤ס
NAS: So she removed her widow's garments
KJV: And she put her widow's garments off
INT: removed garments her widow's and and covered

Genesis 38:19
HEB: וַתִּלְבַּ֖שׁ בִּגְדֵ֥י אַלְמְנוּתָֽהּ׃
NAS: and put on her widow's garments.
KJV: the garments of her widowhood.
INT: and put garments her widow's

2 Samuel 20:3
HEB: י֥וֹם מֻתָ֖ן אַלְמְנ֥וּת חַיּֽוּת׃ ס
NAS: of their death, living as widows.
KJV: of their death, living in widowhood.
INT: the day dead widows living

Isaiah 54:4
HEB: תִּשְׁכָּ֔חִי וְחֶרְפַּ֥ת אַלְמְנוּתַ֖יִךְ לֹ֥א תִזְכְּרִי־
NAS: And the reproach of your widowhood you will remember
KJV: the reproach of thy widowhood any more.
INT: will forget and the reproach of your widowhood no will remember

4 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 491
4 Occurrences


’al·mə·nūṯ — 1 Occ.
’al·mə·nū·ṯāh — 2 Occ.
’al·mə·nū·ṯa·yiḵ — 1 Occ.

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