482. elem
Lexical Summary
elem: Youth, young man

Original Word: אֵלֶם
Part of Speech: Adjective Masculine
Transliteration: elem
Pronunciation: eh'-lem
Phonetic Spelling: (ay'-lem)
KJV: congregation
Word Origin: [from H481 (אָלַם - mute)]

1. silence (i.e. mute justice)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
congregation

From 'alam; silence (i.e. Mute justice) -- congregation. Compare yownath 'elem rchoqiym.

see HEBREW 'alam

see HEBREW yownath 'elem rchoqiym

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from the same as alam
Definition
silence.

Brown-Driver-Briggs
אֵ֫לֶם noun [masculine] silence, Psalm 56:1 (title) see Ol De, in name of melody עַליֿוֺנַת אֵלֶם רְחֹקִים; also Psalm 58:2 (= adverb in silence ?) but read אֵלִ(י)ם Ol De Che, etc.

Topical Lexicon
Concept and Range of Meaning

אֵלֶם (elem) carries the core idea of silence or muteness. In its two inspired occurrences it functions poetically, conveying either literal absence of speech or, by extension, those who ought to be silent because their words lack righteousness. The rarity of the term heightens its rhetorical force whenever Scripture employs it.

Occurrences and Liturgical Setting

1. Psalm 56 heading: “For the choirmaster. To the tune of ‘A Dove on Distant Oaks.’ ”. The Hebrew phrase יוֹנַת אֵלֶם רְחֹקִים mirrors the hush of a dove far from home—an image of vulnerable quietness that frames David’s plea while captive in Gath. The superscription couples danger with enforced silence, teaching worshipers to trust God when voice and power are stripped away.
2. Psalm 58:1: “Do you indeed speak righteousness, O rulers? Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men?”. Here אֵלֶם stands ironically for “rulers” (lit., “silent ones”). Magistrates who should render just verdicts are labeled “silent,” exposing the moral vacuum behind their words. The juxtaposition of speech verbs (“speak,” “judge”) against the noun “silent ones” intensifies the rebuke.

Theological Significance of Silence

Silence before God is often virtuous: “In God alone my soul waits in silence” (Psalm 62:1). Yet when justice demands a voice, silence becomes sin (Proverbs 31:8). The dual usage of אֵלֶם therefore underscores a covenant ethic: be still under affliction, but never mute toward unrighteousness.

Symbolic Portraits

• The “silent dove” (Psalm 56) suggests meek innocence, foreshadowing the Servant who “did not open His mouth” (Isaiah 53:7).
• The “silent rulers” (Psalm 58) represent corrupt authority, anticipating final judgment when every mouth will be stopped (Romans 3:19).

Christological Echoes

Jesus Christ embodies both facets. During His passion He was the true אֵלֶם, “like a lamb led to the slaughter” (Isaiah 53:7), choosing silence in submission to the Father. Yet He is also the Judge who confronts fraudulent rulers (Matthew 23) and will shatter all unjust silence at His return (Revelation 19:11-16).

Practical Ministry Applications

• Pastoral Care: Encourage believers facing oppression to rest in God’s defense rather than reactive speech, modeling Psalm 56.
• Prophetic Witness: Confront leaders and systems that suppress truth, refusing the culpable “silence” of Psalm 58.
• Worship Planning: Employ moments of congregational silence to cultivate reverence, reminding the assembly of Habakkuk 2:20.
• Discipleship: Teach James 1:19 as the New-Covenant balance—quick to hear, slow to speak, yet ready to contend for righteousness.

Intercanonical Threads

The motif stretches across Scripture: Hannah’s unvoiced prayer (1 Samuel 1:13), Job’s initial silence (Job 2:13), and the sealed seventh seal (Revelation 8:1) all magnify divine sovereignty. אֵלֶם thus invites the reader to discern when silence honors God and when speech must break forth in justice and praise.

Forms and Transliterations
אֵ֣לֶם אלם ’ê·lem ’êlem Elem
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Psalm 56:1
HEB: עַל־ י֬וֹנַת אֵ֣לֶם רְ֭חֹקִים לְדָוִ֣ד
INT: and dove congregation far abroad of David

Psalm 58:1
HEB: מִכְתָּֽם׃ הַֽאֻמְנָ֗ם אֵ֣לֶם צֶ֭דֶק תְּדַבֵּר֑וּן
KJV: righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge
INT: Michtam indeed congregation righteousness speak

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 482
2 Occurrences


’ê·lem — 2 Occ.

481
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