Lexical Summary elem: Youth, young man Original Word: אֵלֶם 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 Originfrom 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. 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). 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. 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 ElemLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 56:1 HEB: עַל־ י֬וֹנַת אֵ֣לֶם רְ֭חֹקִים לְדָוִ֣ד INT: and dove congregation far abroad of David Psalm 58:1 2 Occurrences |
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