from הָמָה; abundance, i.e. wealth; any of theirs.
Transliteration:hêm
Pronunciation:haym
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Strong's entry for H1991, הֵם (hêm), presents a unique semantic range, defining it as "abundance, i.e. wealth," with a derivation from the root `{{H1993}}` (hāmāh). The verb `{{H1993}}` signifies "to make a noise, to be boisterous, to rage, to be tumultuous." This etymological connection suggests that "abundance" might conceptually stem from a "multitude" or "great quantity" that is so vast it creates a "noise" or "bustle," implying a significant, perhaps overwhelming, quantity of possessions or resources. Such a derivation would parallel other Hebrew words where a sense of multitude or great number gives rise to concepts of wealth or prosperity. The secondary part of the definition, "any of theirs," hints at a possessive dimension of this abundance or potentially alludes to the more common pronominal usage of הֵם (hêm) as "they/them" or "theirs." It is crucial to note that while this specific noun definition is provided for H1991, the overwhelming majority of its occurrences in the Hebrew Bible are as the masculine plural personal pronoun "they/them," with this noun form denoting "abundance" being exceptionally rare or debated in scholarly lexicons.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
While the base definition provided for H1991 suggests a meaning of "abundance" or "wealth," a comprehensive review of biblical occurrences reveals that this particular Strong's number functions almost exclusively as the masculine plural personal pronoun, meaning "they," "them," or "those." For example, in [[Genesis 1:26]], "Let *them* have dominion over the fish of the sea..." where "them" is H1991. Similarly, in [[Exodus 1:7]], "and the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with *them*." In these and countless other instances, H1991 serves a grammatical function as a pronoun, indicating a group of people or things previously mentioned. Therefore, direct biblical examples that unequivocally support the provided noun definition for H1991 as "abundance" or "wealth" are not readily identified in standard lexicons or concordances. This suggests that if such a noun form exists, its usage is extremely limited, or the provided definition for H1991 might refer to a highly specialized or obscure interpretation not widely attested in the biblical corpus.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word for H1991, according to its etymology, is the verb `{{H1993}}` (hāmāh), "to make a noise, to be boisterous, to rage." This root gives rise to a semantic field associated with commotion, sound, and often, by extension, a large gathering or multitude that creates such a sound. Another significant related word, though distinct in its Strong's number, is `{{H1998}}` (hāmôn), which is also derived from `{{H1993}}` and explicitly means "multitude, crowd, abundance, wealth, riches." The existence of `{{H1998}}` as the established noun for "abundance" or "multitude" derived from `{{H1993}}` further highlights the rarity or specialized nature of H1991 carrying this specific noun meaning. Concepts such as richness (`{{H6239}}`, `{{H6238}}`), prosperity (`{{H7965}}`), and blessing (`{{H1293}}`) are broadly related to the idea of "abundance" or "wealth" in the biblical context, often emphasizing divine provision and stewardship.
### Theological Significance
Given the primary lexical understanding of H1991 as a pronoun and the scarcity of its use as a noun for "abundance" or "wealth," its direct theological significance in this latter sense is limited. However, if we consider the *concept* of "abundance" or "wealth" as potentially implied by this rare definition, significant theological themes emerge. Biblically, true abundance is not merely material accumulation but often refers to God's overflowing grace, mercy, and provision. God is portrayed as the ultimate source of all blessing and prosperity ([[Deuteronomy 8:18]], [[Psalm 23:1]]). Wealth, when present, is to be stewarded responsibly, used for justice, charity, and the advancement of God's kingdom, rather than being an end in itself ([[Proverbs 11:28]], [[1 Timothy 6:17-19]]). The "noise" or "tumult" implied by the root `{{H1993}}` could, in a theological sense, point to the overwhelming nature of God's blessings or the bustling activity of a community blessed by divine favor. Ultimately, the biblical narrative consistently prioritizes spiritual riches over material ones, reminding believers that true life and security are found in God, not in the abundance of possessions ([[Luke 12:15]]).
### Summary
H1991, הֵם (hêm), is overwhelmingly identified in the Hebrew Bible as the masculine plural personal pronoun "they" or "them." While the provided Strong's definition attributes to it the meaning "abundance, i.e. wealth," derived from `{{H1993}}` (hāmāh, "to make a noise, be tumultuous"), this noun usage is exceptionally rare and not widely attested in standard biblical lexicons. The conceptual link between "noise/tumult" and "abundance" might suggest a "multitude" or "great quantity." However, the established Hebrew word for "multitude" or "abundance" from the same root is `{{H1998}}` (hāmôn). Therefore, direct biblical occurrences of H1991 unequivocally meaning "abundance" or "wealth" are not found. The theological implications of "abundance" in Scripture generally pertain to God's bounteous provision and the responsible stewardship of material blessings, rather than being directly tied to this specific, rare interpretation of H1991.
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