Original Word: עָלֶמֶת
Part of Speech: proper name, masculine person; proper name, of a location
Transliteration: `Alemeth
Pronunciation: ah-leh'-meth
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-leh'-meth)
KJV: Alameth, Alemeth
NASB: Alemeth, Allemeth
Word Origin: [from H5956 (עָלַם - hidden)]

1. a covering
2. Alemeth, the name of a place in Israel and of two Israelites

Alameth, Alemeth

From alam; a covering; Alemeth, the name of a place in Palestine and of two Israelites -- Alameth, Alemeth.

see HEBREW alam

Word Origin
from alam
Definition
a Benjamite name, also a Levitical city in Benjamin
NASB Translation
Alemeth (3), Allemeth (1).

עָלֶ֫מֶת 1. proper name, masculine person a Benjamite 1 Chronicles 8:36; 1 Chronicles 9:42, עָלָ֑מֶת 1 Chronicles 7:8; ᵐ5 Σαλαμαιθ, Γαλεμαθ, Αλαμωθ, etc.

2. proper name, of a location (= עַלְמוֺן q. v.) 1 Chronicles 6:45 Baer Ginsb (van d. H. עַלֶּמֶת).

Name and Meaning

Derived from the root עלם (ʿlm, “to conceal,” “to be hidden”), the name עָלֶמֶת (Alemeth) carries the nuance of “hidden” or “youthful.” In Scripture it designates both a Benjamite town and two individuals from the tribe of Benjamin.

Occurrences in Scripture

1 Chronicles 6:60; 7:8; 8:36; 9:42 (total: four).

Historical Context

The Book of 1 Chronicles, compiled after the Babylonian exile, emphasizes rightful lineage and covenant faithfulness. By preserving the name Alemeth within both the Levitical city lists and the tribal genealogies, the Chronicler highlights the continuity of God’s promises to Benjamin and to the priesthood despite national upheaval.

Genealogical Significance

• 1 Chronicles 7:8 lists Alemeth among the nine sons of Beker, grandson of Benjamin.
• 1 Chronicles 8:36 and 9:42 present another Alemeth, a descendant of King Saul through Ahaz and Jehoaddah.

These parallel lines reveal the breadth of Benjamin’s family tree: one branch connected to early settlement (Beker), the other to royal heritage (Saul). The repetition of the name points to family remembrance and the honoring of ancestral faith.

Levitical and Priestly Associations

Alemeth the town appears in 1 Chronicles 6:60 among the thirteen cities assigned to Aaron’s descendants within Benjamin:

“From the tribe of Benjamin they received Geba, Alemeth, and Anathoth, together with their pasturelands.”

That Levitical allotment served several purposes:
• Provided residences and pasture for priests who ministered in Jerusalem.
• Located priestly influence inside Benjamin, the tribe guarding the southern approach to the sanctuary.
• Linked daily worship to local communities, underscoring Israel’s unity around the priesthood.

Geographical Considerations

Alemeth is usually identified with Almon (Joshua 21:18) near Anathoth, approximately four miles northeast of Jerusalem. Its position on the Central Benjamin Plateau placed it along strategic routes between the capital and the Jordan Valley. Excavations in the area (notably at Khirbet Almit) reveal Iron Age occupation layers consistent with Levitical habitation.

Theological and Ministry Reflections

1. Covenant Faithfulness: The dual mention—as city and as people—illustrates God’s faithfulness in preserving both land and lineage.
2. Spiritual Heritage: Families that honored the Lord often perpetuated names tied to covenant history; so believers today steward their own spiritual legacies.
3. Priesthood Near Home: By situating priestly families inside local towns, the Lord ensured accessible teaching of the Law (Deuteronomy 33:10). Modern ministry likewise thrives when shepherds dwell among the flock.

Lessons for Today

• Hidden Yet Significant: Like its root meaning, Alemeth may seem “concealed” in genealogies, but every name matters in God’s record.
• Place and Person United: God weaves geography and genealogy into His redemptive plan; He still unites people and places for gospel advance.
• Continuity of Promise: From pre-exilic days through Chronicler’s era—and on to the present—Scripture testifies that the Lord keeps covenant across generations.

וְעָלָ֑מֶת ועלמת עָלֶ֣מֶת עָלֶ֥מֶת עלמת ‘ā·le·meṯ ‘ālemeṯ aLemet veaLamet wə‘ālāmeṯ wə·‘ā·lā·meṯInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts