Lexical Summary atam: To be complete, to be finished, to be consumed Original Word: אָטַם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance narrow, shut, stop A primitive root; to close (the lips or ears); by analology to contract (a window by bevelled jambs) -- narrow, shut, stop. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to shut, shut up NASB Translation closes (1), latticed (2), shuts (1), shuttered (1), stops (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [אטם] verb shut, shut up (Mishna אטם, compare אוֺטֶם stoppage, Aramaic אֲטַם; Arabic  contract, stop,  fortress; Assyrian a‰amu, in list of headgear, etc. = turban? DlW, No. 155) — Qal Participle active אֹטֵם Proverbs 17:28 2t.; passive אֲטֻמִים 1 Kings 6:4; אֲטֻמוֺת Ezekiel 40:16 2t.; — shut, stop, object lips Proverbs 17:28; ears Proverbs 21:13; Isaiah 33:15; passive = closed (i.e. narrowed, narrowing, compare ᵑ6 in Co) ׳חַלּוֺנוֺת א Ezekiel 40:16; Ezekiel 41:16,26; compare חַלּוֺנֵי שְׁקֻפִים אֲטֻמִים 1 Kings 6:4. Hiph`il Imperfect id quod Qal יַאְטֵם Psalm 58:5 (jussive with sense of indicative, compare Dr§ 173 obs.) of adder, stopping ears, simile of wicked. Topical Lexicon Core Idea of Closing or Stopping The Hebrew verb carries the basic notion of bringing something to a firm halt—shutting a passage, sealing an opening, or deliberately restraining a faculty such as hearing or speech. In Scripture this act alternately protects what is holy, exposes human hardness, and models the discipline of wise restraint. Architectural Use in the Temples of Solomon and Ezekiel 1 Kings 6:4 records that “He fashioned for the house windows with beveled frames.” These narrow, recessed windows prevented outside observers from freely looking in, allowing light to enter while safeguarding the sanctity of the inner chambers. In Ezekiel’s visionary tour (Ezekiel 40:16; 41:16; 41:26) similar shuttered or recessed windows line the restored temple complex. The repeated verb underlines the careful regulation of sightlines into the holy precincts: what is sacred is not left open to casual gaze. Historically, masons shaped the jambs so that the apertures widened inward—an architectural metaphor of revelation: illumination proceeds from within the sanctuary toward the worshiper, never the reverse. By depicting every window as “covered” or “shuttered,” Ezekiel’s vision points beyond second–temple realities to a final dwelling of God with humanity where holiness remains perfectly protected yet perfectly illuminating. Moral and Spiritual Deafness Psalm 58:4 likens the wicked to “a cobra that shuts its ears.” The same action that protects a holy space, when applied to human ears, becomes a mark of rebellion. Proverbs 21:13 intensifies the warning: “Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.” The deliberate closing of the ear breaks the covenantal ethic of compassion, and divine reciprocity ensures just recompense. The prophets treat this deafness as symptomatic of covenant breach; Isaiah 33:15, describing the righteous remnant, reverses the image. The godly “stop [their] ears against murderous plots,” selectively refusing to entertain evil counsel. The verb thus distinguishes between sinful hardening toward God and discerning resistance toward sin. Silence as Wisdom While closing the ear to truth is condemned, shutting the mouth in humility is commended. Proverbs 17:28 observes, “Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.” The wise exercise of restraint transforms perception: the fool who masters silence is halfway to wisdom because he avoids the sin of many words. The verb’s range therefore moves from physical construction to moral construction—building character through controlled speech. Ministry Implications 1. Pastoral Care: Leaders must refuse to “shut their ears to the cry of the poor.” Advocacy for the marginalized is not optional but integrally tied to answered prayer (Proverbs 21:13). Christological and Eschatological Overtones The shutting motif finds fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. During His earthly ministry He guarded revelation, speaking in parables that concealed truth from the hard-hearted while enlightening disciples. At the consummation, the New Jerusalem’s gates “will never be shut by day” (Revelation 21:25), yet nothing unclean may enter. The temporary shutters of Solomon’s and Ezekiel’s temples prefigure the final state in which holiness and accessibility coexist without conflict, achieved through Christ’s atoning work. Summary Strong’s Hebrew 331 threads through Scripture as a versatile instrument of divine pedagogy. Whether framing the temple’s windows, portraying the stubborn ear of the wicked, or counseling the prudent restraint of the wise, it calls God’s people to guard what is sacred, open to the needy, close to wickedness, and silent before the Lord. Forms and Transliterations אֲטֻמ֣וֹת אֲטֻמ֤וֹת אֲטֻמִֽים׃ אֹטֵ֖ם אֹטֵ֣ם אֹטֵ֤ם אטם אטמות אטמים׃ הָ֠אֲטֻמוֹת האטמות יַאְטֵ֥ם יאטם ’ă·ṭu·mîm ’ă·ṭu·mō·wṯ ’ăṭumîm ’ăṭumōwṯ ’ō·ṭêm ’ōṭêm atuMim atuMot hā’ăṭumōwṯ hā·’ă·ṭu·mō·wṯ Haatumot oTem ya’·ṭêm ya’ṭêm yaTemLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Kings 6:4 HEB: חַלּוֹנֵ֖י שְׁקֻפִ֥ים אֲטֻמִֽים׃ KJV: he made windows of narrow lights. INT: windows with frames of narrow Psalm 58:4 Proverbs 17:28 Proverbs 21:13 Isaiah 33:15 Ezekiel 40:16 Ezekiel 41:16 Ezekiel 41:26 8 Occurrences |
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