a primitive root; to veil from sight, i.e. conceal (literally or figuratively); [idiom] any ways, blind, dissembler, hide (self), secret (thing).
Transliteration:ʻâlam
Pronunciation:aw-lam'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root H5956 (ʻâlam) is a primitive root primarily conveying the sense "to veil from sight," thereby meaning "to conceal." Its semantic range extends from literal physical hiding to figurative concealment of knowledge, intentions, or even divine presence. The core idea is that something is made obscure, kept from view, or rendered unknown. This can manifest as:
* **Literal Concealment:** Hiding an object, person, or action from physical sight.
* **Figurative Concealment:**
* **Unknowing/Unwitting:** Something being hidden from one's knowledge or awareness, leading to unintentional action or ignorance.
* **Intentional Secrecy:** Deliberately keeping information, plans, or actions secret from others.
* **Obscurity/Mystery:** Referring to things that are inherently unknowable or unrevealed, often in a divine context.
* **Blindness:** Figuratively, an inability to perceive or understand, often implying a willful turning away or a consequence of corruption.
* **Dissemblance:** The act of hiding one's true motives or character.
The nuances of ʻâlam often carry implications of what is unknown, unrevealed, or purposefully kept from discovery, whether by human design or divine prerogative.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The root H5956 appears in various forms and contexts throughout the Old Testament, illustrating its broad semantic range:
* **Unwitting Sin:** In cultic law, ʻâlam describes a sin committed "unwittingly" or "unseen" by the congregation, requiring a specific sacrifice for atonement ([[Leviticus 4:13]]). This highlights the concept of sin that is hidden from human knowledge but still requires divine propitiation.
* **Human Deception and Concealment:** The term is used to describe acts of deliberate hiding, such as a wife's adultery being "hidden" from her husband's eyes ([[Numbers 5:13]]). It also appears in contexts where individuals attempt to conceal their actions or identity, often in vain attempts to escape divine scrutiny ([[Amos 9:3]]).
* **Figurative Blindness/Corruption:** The verb can describe a state of being "blinded," as when Samuel challenges the people, asking if he had taken a bribe to "blind" his eyes with it, implying a perversion of justice ([[1 Samuel 12:3]]). This signifies a moral or intellectual inability to discern truth due to corrupting influence.
* **Divine Hiddenness and Sovereignty:** Perhaps one of the most profound uses of ʻâlam relates to God's own hiddenness. [[Deuteronomy 29:29]] famously states, "The secret things (הַנִּסְתָּרֹת, a form of H5641 *sāthar*, but conceptually linked to ʻâlam in the idea of what is hidden) belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever." This verse underscores God's sovereign prerogative to conceal certain knowledge. Similarly, [[Isaiah 45:15]] declares, "Truly, You are a God who hides Himself, O God of Israel, the Savior." This refers not to God's absence, but to the inscrutability of His ways and purposes, which are often beyond human comprehension.
* **God's Omniscience and Human Futility:** Despite human attempts to ʻâlam their sins, the Psalms affirm God's omniscience. [[Psalm 90:8]] states, "You have set our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of Your presence," demonstrating that nothing is truly hidden from God. The wicked may imagine God has "hidden His face" and will not see their deeds ([[Psalm 10:11]]), but this is a delusion.
* **The Hiddenness of Wisdom:** Wisdom is often described as being ʻâlam from human sight, emphasizing its divine origin and the effort required to attain it ([[Job 28:21]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of ʻâlam (to conceal/be hidden) is often contrasted with or complemented by other Hebrew roots:
* **H5641 (sāthar):** This root also means "to hide" or "to conceal," often implying a deliberate act of covering or secreting away, similar to ʻâlam. It can refer to God hiding His face or people hiding themselves.
* **H3584 (kāḥad):** "To hide, conceal," often with the nuance of denying or keeping back information, as in hiding a sin.
* **H6845 (ṣāphan):** "To hide, store up," often implying something precious or reserved for a future purpose.
* **H1540 (gālāh):** The antonym, meaning "to uncover, reveal, disclose." This root highlights the tension between what is hidden by ʻâlam and what God graciously makes known.
* **H3045 (yādaʿ):** "To know," encompassing both intellectual understanding and experiential knowledge. The concept of ʻâlam directly relates to the absence of yādaʿ.
Theologically, ʻâlam connects to concepts such as:
* **Deus Absconditus (Hidden God):** The theological idea of God's transcendence and the mysterious, unsearchable aspects of His being and will.
* **Revelation:** The process by which God makes Himself and His purposes known, often in contrast to what remains hidden.
* **Mystery:** Divine truths that are not fully comprehensible to human reason without divine disclosure.
* **Sin and Guilt:** The tendency of sin to operate in secrecy and the futility of hiding it from God's sight.
### Theological Significance
The root H5956 (ʻâlam) carries profound theological weight, illuminating key aspects of God's character, human nature, and the dynamic of divine-human interaction:
* **God's Sovereignty and Wisdom:** The concept of God "hiding Himself" or having "secret things" ([[Isaiah 45:15]], [[Deuteronomy 29:29]]) underscores His ultimate sovereignty and the unfathomable depth of His wisdom. Not all things are revealed to humanity, necessitating faith and trust in His good purposes, even when His ways are obscure or His presence seems veiled. This divine hiddenness invites humble submission rather than exhaustive comprehension.
* **Human Accountability and God's Omniscience:** While humans may attempt to ʻâlam (conceal) their sins or intentions, the Scriptures consistently affirm that nothing is truly hidden from God's omniscient gaze ([[Psalm 90:8]], [[Amos 9:3]]). This highlights human accountability for all actions, even those performed in secret, and serves as a powerful reminder of God's unblinking justice.
* **The Nature of Sin:** Sin often thrives in secrecy and darkness. The human inclination to ʻâlam wrongdoing reflects the deceptive and shameful nature of sin. Conversely, confession and repentance involve bringing sin into the light, acknowledging it before God.
* **The Necessity of Revelation:** The very existence of "hidden things" (ʻâlam) necessitates and magnifies the graciousness of divine revelation. What God chooses to reveal (e.g., His Law, His covenant, His plan of salvation) becomes precious and foundational for human life and faith, as it illuminates what would otherwise remain shrouded in mystery. The progressive nature of biblical revelation can be seen as God gradually unveiling what was once ʻâlam.
* **Divine Justice and Judgment:** When God "hides His face" (a related concept, though not always directly using H5956), it often signifies a period of judgment or divine withdrawal, demonstrating His righteous response to human sin and rebellion.
### Summary
The Hebrew root H5956 (ʻâlam) fundamentally denotes *concealment* or *being hidden*, encompassing both literal veiling and figurative obscurity. Its rich semantic range includes unintentional ignorance, deliberate human deception, and the profound mystery of divine hiddenness. Contextual analysis reveals its application to unwitting sin ([[Leviticus 4:13]]), human attempts to hide from God ([[Amos 9:3]]), and the inscrutable nature of divine wisdom and purpose ([[Deuteronomy 29:29]], [[Isaiah 45:15]]). Theologically, ʻâlam profoundly speaks to God's unfathomable sovereignty and wisdom, the futility of human efforts to conceal sin from an omniscient God, and the essential role of divine revelation in illuminating what would otherwise remain unknown. It underscores the contrast between the limited human perspective and the boundless knowledge of the Creator, reminding believers to trust in God's revealed truth while humbly acknowledging the depths of His unrevealed mysteries.
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