The Hebrew word ʻâlam, represented by H5956, is a primitive root that means to veil from sight or conceal. It appears 28 times across 27 unique verses in the Bible, carrying both literal and figurative meanings, including to hide, to blind, or to refer to a secret thing.
The core meaning of H5956 extends beyond mere physical concealment to encompass a state of being obscured, unknown, or inaccessible to human perception or understanding. Unlike verbs that imply a deliberate act of putting something out of sight, H5956 often suggests a passive state of being hidden or a veil that naturally obscures. This nuance is crucial when considering how God "hides" His eyes or ear (Isaiah 1:15, Lamentations 3:56), which implies a withdrawal or inaccessibility rather than an active stashing away. It can also describe things that are inherently secret or beyond human discovery, emphasizing the limitations of human knowledge in the face of divine or natural mysteries.
In the biblical narrative, H5956 is used to describe various forms of concealment. God warns that He will hide His eyes from those whose hands are full of blood Isaiah 1:15. The concept is also applied to human responsibility, as the law commands one not to hide from a brother's lost sheep or ox Deuteronomy 22:1. It also describes things that are kept secret, with the understanding that God will eventually bring every secret thing into judgment Ecclesiastes 12:14. In one instance, it is used figuratively to describe how a bribe can blind the eyes to injustice 1 Samuel 12:3.
Beyond individual acts of hiding or divine withdrawal, H5956 also delineates the boundaries of human knowledge and the nature of divine revelation. Kings, despite their wisdom, are sometimes presented as having nothing hidden from them, as seen in Solomon's encounter with the Queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10:3, 2 Chronicles 9:2), implying a divinely bestowed insight or exceptional wisdom. Conversely, even prophets can be subject to divine concealment, where the LORD purposely keeps information from them, demonstrating God's sovereign control over what is revealed and what remains hidden (2 Kings 4:27). Furthermore, the term is used to describe natural phenomena, such as snow being "hid" in the ice (Job 6:16), illustrating an inherent, almost intrinsic state of being concealed within something else.
Several related words help illuminate the concept of concealment:
- H5869 ʻayin (eye): This word is frequently paired with H5956 in phrases like "hid from the eyes" or "hide their eyes," emphasizing the visual aspect of concealment, whether physical or willful ignorance (Proverbs 28:27, Ezekiel 22:26).
- H3045 yâdaʻ (to know): Often used in contrast to H5956, this word highlights the transition from a hidden state to one of awareness. A sin may be hid, but when a person comes to know of it, they become guilty Leviticus 5:3.
- H816 ʼâsham (be guilty): This term is the common consequence when something hidden, particularly a sin or uncleanliness, is revealed. Even if a transgression is hid from a person, they are still considered guilty once it is known Leviticus 4:13.
- H5934 ʻâlûwm (hidden): This passive participle directly derives from H5956, signifying that which is concealed or a secret. It reinforces the noun form of the concept, emphasizing the state of being hidden rather than the act of hiding.
The theological weight of H5956 is significant, touching on themes of divine judgment, human morality, and accountability.
- Divine Concealment: God may hide His face or His ear as a response to sin or in times of trouble, representing a perceived distance between God and humanity (Isaiah 1:15, Psalms 10:1, Lamentations 3:56). The LORD also sometimes keeps things hid even from his prophets 2 Kings 4:27.
- Moral Responsibility: The act of hiding oneself is often portrayed as a failure of duty. The law repeatedly commands against hiding from a neighbor's need, making concealment an act of deliberate neglect (Deuteronomy 22:1, 22:3, 22:4). Similarly, hiding one's eyes from the poor brings a curse Proverbs 28:27.
- Hidden Sins and Judgment: Scripture emphasizes that no sin is truly hidden from God. He sets our secret sins in the light of His countenance, showing that all hidden acts will ultimately be accounted for (Psalms 90:8, Ecclesiastes 12:14).
- Societal Complicity: The use of H5956 extends to communal responsibility, highlighting how a society can become complicit in sin by willfully ignoring or "hiding its eyes" from grave injustices. This is powerfully illustrated in the warning against the people of the land hiding their eyes when someone sacrifices their seed to Molech, implying a collective failure to intervene and uphold justice (Leviticus 20:4). Such deliberate communal ignorance is presented as a moral failing that draws divine judgment.
The Hebrew root H5956 ʻâlam is a multifaceted term that significantly enriches the biblical lexicon's understanding of concealment. At its core, it speaks to veiling from sight, hiding, or the state of being secret, encompassing both deliberate actions and inherent conditions. From God's withdrawal of His gaze in response to sin (Isaiah 1:15) to the legal injunction against neglecting a neighbor's lost animal by hiding oneself (Deuteronomy 22:1), H5956 underscores a foundational principle of accountability.
Its semantic range further extends to the blinding effect of corruption (1 Samuel 12:3) and the ultimate divine judgment of every secret thing (Ecclesiastes 12:14). The word highlights the tension between human perception and divine omniscience, as seen when the LORD hides information even from His prophets (2 Kings 4:27) or when wisdom itself is described as being hidden from all living (Job 28:21). Related terms like H5869 (ʻayin, "eye") and H3045 (yâdaʻ, "to know") frequently contrast the visible with the concealed, while H816 (ʼâsham, "be guilty") denotes the consequence of revealed hiddenness. The direct derivative H5934 (ʻâlûwm, "hidden") further emphasizes the state of being secreted away.
Theologically, H5956 explores critical themes of divine justice, human morality, and collective responsibility. While God may conceal His presence or purpose, He also exposes all hidden sins, affirming that nothing escapes His purview (Psalms 90:8). Moreover, the concept challenges individuals and communities alike to confront their moral obligations, condemning not only active concealment but also the passive act of "hiding one's eyes" from the needs of the poor (Proverbs 28:27) or from societal evils like child sacrifice (Leviticus 20:4). Ultimately, H5956 serves as a potent reminder that transparency and moral integrity are paramount, for all that is hidden will eventually be brought into the light of divine scrutiny.
TRV