(Aramaic) patrial from a name corresponding to עֵילָם contracted; an Elamite or inhabitant of Elam; Elamite.
Transliteration:ʻAlmîy
Pronunciation:al-mee'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic term H5962 (ʻAlmîy) is a patrial noun, indicating an inhabitant or someone originating from a specific place. Its base definition directly links it to the region of Elam, a prominent ancient kingdom located east of Babylonia, primarily in what is now southwestern Iran. The word is a contracted form derived from the name עֵילָם (Elam), which is `{{H5867}}`. Therefore, the core meaning of H5962 is "an Elamite" or "an inhabitant of Elam." Its semantic range is narrow, exclusively referring to individuals from this specific geographical and ethnic background.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H5962 appears only once in the biblical text, specifically in [[Ezra 4:9]]. This verse is part of an Aramaic section within the book of Ezra, detailing the opposition faced by the returning Jewish exiles as they sought to rebuild Jerusalem and its temple. The verse lists various peoples who joined in writing a letter of accusation to King Artaxerxes against the Jews. Among these diverse groups—including the Apharsathchites, Tarpelites, Apharsites, Archevites, Babylonians, Susanchites, and Dehavites—are the ʻAlmîy, or Elamites.
In this context, the Elamites are depicted as part of the broader administrative and ethnic tapestry of the Persian Empire, contributing to the imperial bureaucracy and its mechanisms of control. Their inclusion in the list of accusers highlights the multi-ethnic nature of the opposition to the post-exilic Jewish community's efforts. This single occurrence serves primarily to identify a specific people group present in the Persian satrapies who were involved in political affairs concerning Judah.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is עֵילָם (Elam), `{{H5867}}`, which refers to the geographical region itself or the ancestor from whom the people are descended (Genesis 10:22). Elam as a nation or people is mentioned more broadly throughout the Old Testament, often in prophetic literature (e.g., [[Isaiah 21:2]], [[Jeremiah 49:34-39]], [[Ezekiel 32:24-25]]). While H5962 specifically denotes an "Elamite," `{{H5867}}` refers to the land or the collective people.
Other related concepts include the broader category of "patrial" terms in biblical Hebrew and Aramaic, which consistently identify individuals by their place of origin or ethnic affiliation. The historical context of the Achaemenid (Persian) Empire and its administration, particularly during the post-exilic period, is crucial for understanding the role of various ethnic groups, including the Elamites, within the imperial structure. The list of peoples in [[Ezra 4:9]] also connects H5962 to other displaced or integrated groups within the Persian realm, illustrating the complex demographics of the empire.
### Theological Significance
As a purely descriptive patrial term, H5962 itself carries no inherent theological weight beyond identifying a specific people group. Its theological significance emerges from the broader biblical narrative concerning Elam and, more specifically, its singular appearance in [[Ezra 4:9]].
In [[Ezra 4:9]], the Elamites are part of the opposition against God's people in their endeavor to rebuild the temple and city walls in Jerusalem. This context underscores the constant spiritual and practical challenges faced by the covenant community as they sought to fulfill God's purposes. The presence of diverse ethnic groups, including the Elamites, among the adversaries highlights the global nature of the forces that can stand against divine plans, even if unwittingly.
More broadly, while H5962 does not appear in prophetic texts, the nation of Elam (`{{H5867}}`) is mentioned in prophecies of judgment and, notably, also of restoration (e.g., [[Jeremiah 49:39]], where God declares, "But in the latter days I will restore the fortunes of Elam"). This demonstrates God's sovereign authority over all nations, including those outside the immediate covenant, and His ultimate plan for redemption that extends beyond Israel. The specific term H5962, however, focuses on the historical reality of an Elamite as an individual within the Persian administrative system, contributing to the narrative of opposition in the post-exilic period.
### Summary
The Aramaic word H5962 (ʻAlmîy) precisely denotes "an Elamite" or "an inhabitant of Elam." It is a patrial term derived from `{{H5867}}` (Elam). Its sole biblical occurrence is found in [[Ezra 4:9]], where it identifies one of the ethnic groups who wrote a letter of accusation against the Jews rebuilding Jerusalem during the Persian period. The word's significance is primarily historical and contextual, marking a specific people group involved in the political and administrative landscape of the Persian Empire and, by extension, in the challenges faced by the post-exilic Jewish community. While the broader nation of Elam holds prophetic significance, H5962 focuses on the specific identity of an individual from that region within a critical historical moment.
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