or לִמֻּד; from לָמַד; instructed; accustomed, disciple, learned, taught, used.
Transliteration:limmûwd
Pronunciation:lim-mood'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H3928}}` (limmûwd), transliterated as *limmûwd*, derives from the root `{{H3925}}` (lamad), which fundamentally means "to learn" or "to teach." As a passive participle, limmûwd denotes one who *has been taught* or *is being instructed*. Its semantic range is broad, encompassing several nuances:
1. **Instructed/Taught**: This is the primary and most direct meaning, referring to someone who has received knowledge or training.
2. **Learned**: Implies a state of having acquired knowledge, often through formal or divine instruction, leading to wisdom or skill.
3. **Disciple**: In a spiritual or prophetic context, it refers to a follower or student who adheres to the teachings of a master or divine revelation.
4. **Accustomed/Used**: In certain contexts, limmûwd can describe someone or something habituated to a particular behavior, environment, or practice, indicating a learned pattern of action. This usage extends the idea of "learning" to include experience and habituation.
The word thus captures both the process of learning and the state of being learned, whether through formal education, divine revelation, or ingrained habit.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Limmûwd appears a handful of times in the Old Testament, predominantly in the prophetic books, underscoring its significance in the context of divine instruction and covenant relationship.
1. **Isaiah 8:16**: "Bind up the testimony; seal the law among my disciples [[Isaiah 8:16]]." Here, limmûwd refers to Isaiah's personal students or followers, those to whom he imparted the divine word and revelation. These are individuals who have been taught by the prophet, entrusted with the understanding of God's law and testimony in a time of national apostasy. They represent a faithful remnant.
2. **Isaiah 50:4**: "The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught [[Isaiah 50:4]]." This is a profound passage within the Servant Songs, often applied to the Messiah. The Servant is depicted as one divinely taught, whose ear is opened daily to hear God's instruction. The "tongue of those who are taught" (literally "tongue of disciples") signifies speech that is not self-derived but divinely inspired and capable of bringing comfort and sustenance. This highlights a deep, intimate, and continuous process of divine education.
3. **Isaiah 54:13**: "All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children [[Isaiah 54:13]]." In this eschatological promise to Zion, limmûwd describes a future state where God's people will be directly instructed by Yahweh Himself. This divine teaching promises not just knowledge but also profound peace and security, indicating a restored covenant relationship characterized by intimate divine pedagogy. This is a corporate application of the term, encompassing the entire community of faith.
4. **Jeremiah 2:24**: "a wild donkey used to the wilderness, in her heat sniffing the wind! Who can restrain her passion? None who seek her need weary themselves; in her month they will find her [[Jeremiah 2:24]]." Here, limmûwd takes on the meaning of "accustomed" or "habituated." The wild donkey is described as "used to the wilderness," signifying a deep-seated behavioral pattern learned through experience and environment. This illustrates the word's capacity to describe ingrained habits, even those that are wild or untamed.
5. **Jeremiah 13:23**: "Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then also you can do good who are accustomed to do evil [[Jeremiah 13:23]]." Similar to Jeremiah 2:24, limmûwd here describes a deep-rooted habit, specifically the ingrained practice of evil. The people of Judah have become "accustomed to do evil," implying that their sinful behavior is not merely occasional but has become a learned, habitual way of life, almost impossible to alter without divine intervention.
These occurrences demonstrate limmûwd's versatility, from referring to those who receive divine revelation to those whose behavior is shaped by habit.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the verbal root `{{H3925}}` (lamad), meaning "to learn" or "to teach." Limmûwd is a direct derivative, signifying the *result* of that learning or teaching process.
Other related concepts include:
* **Discipleship**: The idea of being a limmûwd is foundational to the concept of discipleship, whether to a human teacher (as in Isaiah 8:16) or, more significantly, to God Himself (as in Isaiah 50:4 and 54:13).
* **Divine Instruction (Torah)**: The ultimate source of learning for the Israelite was God's Torah, His divine instruction. Being limmûwd by the LORD implies being shaped by His law and wisdom.
* **Wisdom (חָכְמָה - chochmah)**: Those who are limmûwd by God are implicitly those who walk in wisdom, as true wisdom begins with the fear of the LORD and adherence to His teachings.
* **Knowledge (דַּעַת - da'at)**: Limmûwd implies the acquisition of knowledge, particularly knowledge of God and His ways.
* **Covenant Relationship**: The promise in Isaiah 54:13 that "all your children shall be taught by the LORD" speaks to a restored and intimate covenant where God Himself acts as the divine instructor, leading to peace and flourishing.
* **Habituation**: The usage in Jeremiah highlights the concept of habituation, where repeated actions, whether good or evil, become ingrained and difficult to change. This underscores the power of learning, for good or ill.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of limmûwd is profound, particularly in its association with divine instruction:
1. **Divine Pedagogy**: The most striking theological implication is God's active role as a teacher. Isaiah 50:4 portrays the Suffering Servant as one whose ear is opened daily by God, emphasizing a continuous, intimate divine education. This highlights God's personal involvement in shaping His chosen ones.
2. **Blessedness of Divine Instruction**: Isaiah 54:13 presents being "taught by the LORD" as a source of immense blessing, leading to "great peace." This underscores that true peace and flourishing come from being under God's direct tutelage, implying a deep, transformative relationship with the Divine Instructor.
3. **Nature of True Discipleship**: For the believer, being a limmûwd of the LORD means more than intellectual assent; it implies a life shaped by divine revelation, leading to a profound understanding and application of God's will. This discipleship is not merely human effort but is enabled and sustained by God's ongoing teaching.
4. **Transformation**: While Jeremiah shows limmûwd can describe ingrained evil habits, the Isaiah passages offer hope for transformation through divine teaching. The very nature of being "taught by the LORD" suggests a re-education and re-orientation of life away from sin and towards righteousness and peace. It points to a new covenant reality where God's law is written on the heart, leading to an internal transformation.
5. **Messianic Implication**: The application of limmûwd to the Servant in Isaiah 50:4 is crucial for understanding the Messiah. He is the ultimate limmûwd, perfectly taught by God, enabling Him to perfectly fulfill His mission and minister effectively to the weary. This prefigures Christ as the embodiment of divine wisdom and the perfect teacher.
### Summary
`{{H3928}}` (limmûwd) is a rich Hebrew term rooted in the concept of learning and teaching. It primarily describes one who is "instructed" or "taught," often by divine agency, thereby becoming a "disciple" or "learned" individual. Its usage in Isaiah highlights the blessedness and transformative power of being "taught by the LORD," leading to profound peace and effective ministry, particularly in the context of the Suffering Servant and the future restoration of Zion. In contrast, its appearance in Jeremiah illustrates the negative aspect of being "accustomed" or "habituated" to evil, demonstrating how learned patterns can become deeply ingrained. Ultimately, limmûwd encapsulates the profound theological truth of God's active role as the divine teacher and the transformative potential for those who are truly His pupils.
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