from קוּם; properly, standing (extant), i.e. by implication, a living thing; (living) substance.
Transliteration:yᵉqûwm
Pronunciation:yek-oom'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term יְקוּם (yᵉqûwm, H3351) is a noun derived from the root קוּם (qûm, H6965), meaning "to rise," "to stand," or "to establish." The base definition of יְקוּם thus carries the primary sense of "that which stands" or "that which is extant." From this foundational meaning, it semantically extends to denote "living substance" or "a living thing." This implies not merely existence, but specifically *animate* existence, emphasizing the vital, breathing essence of life. It encapsulates the totality of living beings, often in contrast to their non-existence or destruction.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term יְקוּם (H3351) appears four times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily within the narrative of the Great Flood in Genesis and once in Deuteronomy.
1. **[[Genesis 7:4]]**: "For in seven days I will send rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, and every living thing (יְקוּם) that I have made I will blot out from the face of the ground." Here, יְקוּם refers to the entirety of animate creation that God intends to destroy due to human wickedness. It emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the impending judgment.
2. **[[Genesis 7:23]]**: "He blotted out every living thing (יְקוּם) that was on the face of the ground, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the heavens; and they were blotted out from the earth. And only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark." This verse describes the fulfillment of the divine judgment, confirming the complete eradication of all "living substance" outside the ark. The breadth of the term underscores the universality of the destruction.
3. **[[Genesis 8:17]]**: "Bring out with you every living thing (יְקוּם) that is with you of all flesh—birds and animals and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth—so that they may swarm on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth." After the Flood, God instructs Noah to release the preserved "living substance" from the ark, signaling the renewal of life on earth. This usage highlights the term's connection to the continuation and repopulation of life.
4. **[[Deuteronomy 11:6]]**: "and what he did to Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, son of Reuben, how the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, along with their households, their tents, and every living thing (יְקוּם) that belonged to them, in the midst of all Israel." In this instance, יְקוּם refers to the "substance" or "possessions" of Dathan and Abiram, which were swallowed by the earth. While still related to "that which exists," its nuance here extends beyond merely animate life to include all their "standing" possessions or substance, emphasizing the totality of their demise. This broader application demonstrates the flexibility of the term to encompass all that constitutes one's "existence" or "standing."
### Related Words & Concepts
The most significant related word is the verbal root from which יְקוּם (H3351) is derived: קוּם (qûm, H6965). This root signifies "to rise," "to stand up," "to establish," or "to endure." The noun יְקוּם therefore represents "that which stands" or "that which has been established," specifically in the context of living existence.
Other related concepts include:
* **נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315)**: Often translated as "soul," "life," or "living being." While nephesh frequently refers to the vital principle or an individual living creature, יְקוּם tends to encompass the collective "living substance" or "all that exists" in a more comprehensive sense, particularly in the context of divine judgment or preservation.
* **חַיָּה (chayyah, H2416)**: "living thing," "animal." This term is often used for specific categories of living creatures, whereas יְקוּם can denote the broader concept of "living existence."
* **בָּשָׂר (basar, H1320)**: "flesh." This term often refers to living creatures in terms of their physical composition, whereas יְקוּם emphasizes their state of being "extant" or "standing."
* **כֹּל (kol, H3605)**: "all," "every." This word frequently accompanies יְקוּם in the Genesis accounts (e.g., "every living thing") to stress the comprehensive nature of God's actions.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of יְקוּם (H3351) is profound, particularly within the Genesis Flood narrative.
1. **Divine Sovereignty over Life and Death**: The repeated use of יְקוּם in Genesis 7-8 powerfully underscores God's absolute dominion over all creation. He is the one who gives life (the "standing" or "existing" of creatures) and the one who can justly take it away. The eradication of "every living thing" (יְקוּם) highlights the devastating scope of divine judgment, while the preservation of a remnant within the ark demonstrates God's sovereign choice to sustain life according to His purposes.
2. **Justice and Judgment**: In the context of the Flood, יְקוּם serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of pervasive wickedness. The blotting out of all "living substance" signifies a cosmic reset, a purging of creation from corruption. This act of judgment is not arbitrary but a righteous response to the earth's violence and depravity.
3. **Renewal and Preservation**: Following the judgment, the command to release "every living thing" (יְקוּם) from the ark in [[Genesis 8:17]] speaks to God's faithfulness and His commitment to the renewal of life. It signifies a new beginning, a repopulation of the earth under a renewed covenant.
4. **Covenant Implications**: The usage in [[Deuteronomy 11:6]] extends the concept to the "substance" or "possessions" of individuals. This implies that divine judgment can encompass not only life itself but also all that constitutes one's earthly existence and legacy, linking a person's "standing" or "substance" to their obedience or rebellion within the covenant.
### Summary
The Hebrew term יְקוּם (yᵉqûwm, H3351) fundamentally denotes "that which stands" or "that which is extant," specifically referring to "living substance" or "a living thing." Primarily encountered in the Genesis Flood narrative, it powerfully articulates the comprehensive scope of divine judgment, where "every living thing" was blotted out, and conversely, the divine act of preservation and renewal. Its single occurrence in Deuteronomy broadens its semantic range to include all of one's "substance" or "possessions," underscoring the totality of divine action upon an individual's existence. Theologically, יְקוּם serves as a potent reminder of God's absolute sovereignty over life and death, His righteous judgment, and His capacity for renewal and covenant faithfulness.
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