Strong's Lexicon illem: Mute, speechless, silent Original Word: אִלֵּם Word Origin: Derived from the root אָלַם (alam), meaning "to bind" or "to be silent." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - G2974 (kophos): Often used in the New Testament to describe someone who is deaf or mute, as seen in the healing miracles of Jesus. Usage: The term "illem" is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe someone who is unable to speak, either due to a physical condition or as a metaphor for being silenced or rendered speechless. It often conveys a sense of helplessness or lack of agency, as the ability to speak is closely tied to one's capacity to express thoughts, emotions, and intentions. Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Israelite culture, speech was a powerful tool for communication, teaching, and leadership. Being mute could be seen as a significant disadvantage, affecting one's social standing and ability to participate fully in community life. The condition of muteness is sometimes associated with divine intervention, either as a sign of judgment or as a condition to be healed by God's power. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as alam Definition mute (unable to speak) NASB Translation mute (4), mute man (1), speechless (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs אִלֵּם adjective dumb, unable to speak; Exodus 4:11 מִי שָׂם מֶּה לָֽאָדָם אוֺ מִי יָשׂוּם אִלֵּם; Isaiah 56:10 כְּלָבִים אִלְּמִים figurative of false prophets; of idols ׳אֱלִילִים א Habakkuk 2:8; as substantive Proverbs 31:8; Psalm 38:14; Isaiah 35:6. אֻלָּם see III. אוּלָם p. 19. אֵלָם see אֵילָם below II. אול. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance dumb man From 'alam; speechless -- dumb (man). see HEBREW 'alam Forms and Transliterations אִלְּמִ֔ים אִלְּמִֽים׃ אִלֵּ֑ם אִלֵּ֔ם אלם אלמים אלמים׃ וּ֝כְאִלֵּ֗ם וכאלם לְאִלֵּ֑ם לאלם ’il·lə·mîm ’il·lêm ’illêm ’illəmîm ilLem illeMim lə’illêm lə·’il·lêm leilLem ū·ḵə·’il·lêm ucheilLem ūḵə’illêmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 4:11 HEB: מִֽי־ יָשׂ֣וּם אִלֵּ֔ם א֣וֹ חֵרֵ֔שׁ NAS: who makes [him] mute or deaf, KJV: or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, INT: who makes mute or deaf Psalm 38:13 Proverbs 31:8 Isaiah 35:6 Isaiah 56:10 Habakkuk 2:18 6 Occurrences |