English · KJV
H3128

יוֹנַת אֵלֶם רְחֹקִים

yôwnath ʼêlem rᵉchôqîym /yo-nath' ay'-lem rekh-o-keem'/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom יוֹנָה and אֵלֶם and the plural of רָחוֹק
Meaningdove of (the) silence (i.e. dumb Israel) of (i.e. among) distances (i.e. strangers); the title of a ditty (used for a name of its melody)
KJV usageJonath-elem-rechokim.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of yôwnath ʼêlem rᵉchôqîym — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew phrase yôwnath ʼêlem rᵉchôqîym, represented by H3128, is found only once in scripture. Its literal components mean "dove of (the) silence... of... distances." It is not a common word but rather the title of a ditty, understood to be the name of a melody. It appears a single time in one verse.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The sole appearance of H3128 is in the superscription of a psalm by Dâvid H1732, setting the stage for its content Psalms 56:1. The full title reads, "To the chief Musician upon Jonathelemrechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath." The melody title, suggesting a silent dove among strangers, frames David's plea to ʼĕlôhîym H430 while in peril: "Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me" Psalms 56:1.

Related Words & Concepts

The context of H3128 is clarified by several words within the same verse:

  • H4387 miktâm: This term, meaning "an engraving, i.e. (techn.) a poem," classifies the psalm as a specific type of writing by David Psalms 56:1.
  • H6430 Pᵉlishtîy: The psalm is set during David's encounter with the Philistines, the inhabitants of Pelesheth who were his adversaries Psalms 56:1.
  • H270 ʼâchaz: This primitive root means "to seize" or "take hold." It describes the action of the Philistines who took David in the city of Gath H1661 Psalms 56:1.
  • H3905 lâchats: Meaning "to press, i.e. (figuratively) to distress," this word captures the essence of David's suffering, as he feels he is daily oppressed Psalms 56:1.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H3128 is derived entirely from its unique contextual use. It sets a powerful thematic tone for the psalm it introduces.

  • A Metaphor for Persecution: The title "dove of the silence of distances" serves as a metaphor for David's state. He is like a vulnerable dove, silenced and far from home among strangers, the Philistines H6430.
  • A Cry for Divine Mercy: The situation described by the title prompts a direct appeal for mercy. David's response to being taken H270 and oppressed H3905 is to call upon God H430, highlighting reliance on divine intervention rather than human strength Psalms 56:1.
  • Juxtaposing Vulnerability and Faith: The psalm's title establishes a feeling of helplessness, but the body of the psalm (beginning in verse 1) transforms this into an expression of faith. The distress caused by man H582 is met with a plea to God, who is the ultimate source of deliverance.

Summary

In summary, H3128 yôwnath ʼêlem rᵉchôqîym is a highly specific term, functioning as a musical or thematic direction for Psalms 56. Though it appears only once, its meaning—"dove of (the) silence... of... distances"—profoundly illuminates the psalm's setting: David's capture in Gath H1661. It is a poignant example of how even a technical note in the biblical text can carry deep theological significance, framing a narrative of human vulnerability and the corresponding necessity of divine mercy.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun and an adjective across 3 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • רְחֹקִים
  • יוֹנַת
  • אֵלֶם

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H1732 דָּוִד rarely (fully); דָּוִיד; from the same as דּוֹד; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse; David. H430 אֱלֹהִים plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) H4387 מִכְתָּם from כָּתַם; an engraving, i.e. (techn.) a poem; Michtam. H6430 פְּלִשְׁתִּי patrial from פְּלֶשֶׁת; a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth; Philistine. H270 אָחַז a primitive root; to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession); [phrase] be affrighted, bar, (catch H1661 גַּת the same as גַּת; Gath, a Philistine city; Gath.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

1 verse, all in Psalms — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.