Lexical Summary Leummim: Peoples, Nations Original Word: לְאֻמִּים Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Leummim Plural of lom; communities; Leum mim, an Arabian -- Leummim. see HEBREW lom NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originpl. of leom Definition desc. of Dedan NASB Translation Leummim (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs לְאֻמִּ֑ים proper name, of a people, as 'son' of Dedan Genesis 25:3. Aᵐ5 L Λοωμ(ι)ειμ. (Sabean proper name, of a tribe לאמם, לאימם SabDenkm11). לֵב see below לבב below לבא (√ of following; see Arabic Topical Lexicon Overview The term לְאֻמִּים (leummim) in Genesis 25:3 designates the “Leummim,” a tribal group descended from Abraham through Keturah. Though morphologically identical with the common Hebrew word for “peoples” or “nations,” in this verse it is a proper name for one of the three clans springing from Dedan, son of Jokshan. Its single appearance underscores Scripture’s economy of detail: a brief mention that nonetheless fits seamlessly within the broader purposes of Genesis—tracing the spread of Abraham’s line and demonstrating God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises despite ever-diversifying peoples. Genealogical Context • Abraham → Keturah • Jokshan • Dedan • Asshurim • Letushim • Leummim Thus the Leummim are great-grandsons of Abraham. While not heirs of the covenant line (that honor passes through Isaac), they remain part of Abraham’s physical progeny, fulfilling God’s word that he would become “father of many nations” (Genesis 17:5). Geographical Identification Dedan’s descendants are associated with the northwestern Arabian Peninsula, especially the caravan routes linking the Red Sea, the Hejaz, and Mesopotamia. Extrabiblical records locate ancient Dedan near modern-day Al-‘Ula, an oasis that later flourished under the Nabataeans. The Leummim likely occupied neighboring territory, benefiting from trade in incense, spices, and precious stones that flowed between Sheba to the south and the Levant to the north. Historical Significance 1. Caravan Trade: Proximity to Dedan positioned the Leummim along major trade arteries. The prosperity of these routes explains why prophets later denounce Dedan’s pride (for example, Ezekiel 27:20) and why Job alludes to Dedanite merchants (Job 6:19). The Leummim would have shared in that commercial world, illustrating how Abraham’s descendants influenced international commerce. Theological Themes • Universality of God’s Plan: Scripture’s scope reaches beyond Israel to embrace multiple peoples. The Leummim illustrate that divine providence governs nations both inside and outside the covenant. Applications for Ministry Today 1. Genealogies Matter: Modern readers sometimes skip lists, yet Genesis 25:3 encourages studying them to trace God’s unfolding plan and to appreciate every people group’s story. Key Scripture Genesis 25:3 – “Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan, and Dedan’s sons were the Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim.” Forms and Transliterations וּלְאֻמִּֽים׃ ולאמים׃ uleumMimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 25:3 HEB: אַשּׁוּרִ֥ם וּלְטוּשִׁ֖ים וּלְאֻמִּֽים׃ NAS: and Letushim and Leummim. KJV: and Letushim, and Leummim. INT: were Asshurim and Letushim and Leummim 1 Occurrence |
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lioness, compare לָבִיא; see perhaps also Phoenician proper name לבא CISi. 147; JastrJBL xi. (1892) 120 f. compare Tel el-Amarna proper name Labâ° (BezBM Labay[a]); possible is also Lapaya, which WklTA, 1896 reads; deriv. only poet.)