### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **lᵉʼôm**, represented by `{{H3816}}`, is derived from an unused root meaning to gather and refers to a **community**, **nation**, or **people**. It appears 35 times across 31 unique verses in the Bible, often denoting a distinct national or ethnic group. The term describes communities defined by shared lineage or political structure.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In biblical narratives, `{{H3816}}` is used to define the origins and destinies of peoples. A foundational use is in the prophecy given to Rebekah, where the LORD states that "two manner of **people** shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one **people** shall be stronger than the other **people**" [[Genesis 25:23]]. It is also used in the context of blessing and dominion, as when Isaac blesses Jacob, saying "Let people serve thee, and **nations** bow down to thee" [[Genesis 27:29]]. The word can also describe nations in opposition to God, as seen in the question, "Why do the heathen rage, and the **people** imagine a vain thing?" [[Psalms 2:1]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the concept of a "people" or "nation":
* `{{H1471}}` **gôwy**: This word refers to a **foreign nation** or a **Gentile**. It often distinguishes non-Israelite peoples, as in God's promise to make of Abraham a great **nation** [[Genesis 12:2]].
* `{{H5971}}` **ʻam**: This term describes **a people** as a congregated unit, often referring specifically to a tribe of Israel. It emphasizes a sense of covenant community, as when God promises, "they shall be my **people**" [[Jeremiah 31:33]].
* `{{H120}}` **ʼâdâm**: This word denotes a **human being** or mankind in a more general sense. It is used in parallel with `{{H3816}}` to distinguish between individuals and a collective people, as when God promises to "give **men** for thee, and **people** for thy life" [[Isaiah 43:4]].
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H3816}}` is evident in its connection to divine purpose and judgment.
* **Prophetic Destiny:** The word is central to prophecies that shape the identity and future of nations. The declaration that two **people** would emerge from Rebekah's womb establishes a theme of divinely ordained national trajectories from birth [[Genesis 25:23]].
* **Divine Sovereignty:** Scripture uses `{{H3816}}` to affirm God's rule over all communities. He rebukes the rushing **nations** [[Isaiah 17:13]], governs them upon the earth [[Psalms 67:4]], and stills their tumult [[Psalms 65:7]].
* **Moral Condition:** The state of a **people** is directly tied to its moral and spiritual character. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any **people** [[Proverbs 14:34]]. Similarly, a state of "gross darkness" can cover the **people** before the LORD’s glory is revealed [[Isaiah 60:2]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H3816}}` is a significant term for understanding group identity within the Bible. It moves beyond a general reference to people and instead defines distinct communities, often with a shared ancestry or political future. From prophetic declarations about their formation to descriptions of their collective moral standing before God, **lᵉʼôm** frames the story of how God interacts not just with individuals, but with the nations and peoples of the world.
TRV