Lexical Summary Yalam: To be silent, to be dumb, to be speechless Original Word: יַעְלָם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Jalam From alam; occult; Jalam, an Edomite -- Jalam. see HEBREW alam NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alam Definition an Edomite NASB Translation Jalam (4). Brown-Driver-Briggs יַעְלָם proper name, masculine Edomite Genesis 36:5,14,18 = 1 Chronicles 1:35, Ιεγλομ. II. עלם (√ of following; perhaps originally be mature (sexually); Aramaic עֲלֵם be strong, Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrences Genesis 36:5; Genesis 36:14; Genesis 36:18; 1 Chronicles 1:35 Family and Tribal Context Jaalam (rendered “Jalam” in the Berean Standard Bible) is the second‐named son of Esau by his wife Oholibamah, the Hivite granddaughter of Zibeon. Along with his brothers Jeush and Korah, Jaalam becomes one of the family heads (“chiefs,” Genesis 36:18) through whom the nation of Edom is organized. His inclusion in the parallel genealogy of 1 Chronicles 1:35 confirms the enduring identity of Esau’s descendants and preserves their place in the redemptive narrative. Historical and Cultural Setting The birth notices for Jaalam occur before Esau’s migration to Mount Seir, showing that at least part of Esau’s household was established in Canaan prior to the southward move (Genesis 36:5–8). Once settled in Seir, the clan leaders of Jaalam’s line would have participated in shaping Edomite society, which flourished along key trade routes linking Arabia and the Mediterranean. The Old Testament periodically records Edom’s conflicts and interactions with Israel, underscoring how the two nations—though related—developed distinct identities and destinies. Narrative Significance 1. Preservation of Covenant History: Jaalam’s listing illustrates Scripture’s careful tracing of Abraham’s broader family. Though the covenant line proceeds through Jacob, the chronicling of Esau’s sons affirms God’s promises to make Esau a nation (Genesis 25:23; 27:39–40). Theological and Typological Insights • Common Grace and Providence: Jaalam’s inclusion demonstrates that the Creator blesses even those outside the covenant line with family, territory, and leadership (Acts 14:17). Ministry Applications 1. Valuing “Hidden” Lives: Names such as Jaalam, mentioned only in genealogies, highlight that every individual counts in God’s plan. Churches can take encouragement to honor unnoticed service within the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:22–24). Selected Scripture Genesis 36:5 “and Oholibamah bore Jeush, Jalam, and Korah—these are the sons of Esau born to him in Canaan.” Genesis 36:18 “These are the sons of Esau (that is, Edom), and these were their chiefs: Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.” Cross-References for Further Study Genesis 25:23; Genesis 27:39–40; Deuteronomy 2:4–5; Obadiah 1:10–14; Malachi 1:2–4; Romans 9:10–13 Forms and Transliterations וְיַעְלָ֥ם ויעלם יַעְלָ֖ם יעלם veyaLam wə·ya‘·lām wəya‘lām ya‘·lām ya‘lām yaLamLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 36:5 HEB: ק) וְאֶת־ יַעְלָ֖ם וְאֶת־ קֹ֑רַח NAS: bore Jeush and Jalam and Korah. These KJV: Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah: INT: bore Jehush and Jalam and Korah These Genesis 36:14 Genesis 36:18 1 Chronicles 1:35 4 Occurrences |
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rejuvenate (certainly denominative), Arabic 
be lustful (id.); compare Sabean עֿלם, עֿלמן young man CISiv. pp. 30, 42, Arabic 
id.; Phoenician עלמת girl; Nabataean, Palmyrene עלם, עלים slave, Palmyrene feminine plural harlots; ᵑ7 עוּלֵּימָא, עוּלֵּמְתָּא Syriac 
, 
young man, young woman).