510. alqum
Lexical Summary
alqum: "I will arise"

Original Word: אַלְקוּם
Part of Speech: Conjunction
Transliteration: alquwm
Pronunciation: al-KOOM
Phonetic Spelling: (al-koom')
KJV: no rising up
NASB: army
Word Origin: [probably from H408 (אַל - no) and H6965 (קוּם - arose)]

1. a non-rising (i.e. resistlessness)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
no rising up

Probably from 'al and quwm; a non-rising (i.e. Resistlessness) -- no rising up.

see HEBREW 'al

see HEBREW quwm

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
a band of soldiers
NASB Translation
army (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
אַלְקוּם band of soldiers (= Arabic , people; so E. Castle, Thes etc., compare CheJob & Solomon 175; > textual error for אֱלֹהִים Hi compare Now) Proverbs 30:31.

Topical Lexicon
Occurrence and Literary Context

‘Alqum appears a single time in the Old Testament, within Agur’s numerical proverb of things that are “stately in their stride” (Proverbs 30:29-31). The brief catalogue moves from the awe-inspiring strength of the lion, through the purposeful gait of lesser creatures, and culminates in the majesty of a king surrounded by his loyal subjects. In that progression ‘alqum stands as a transitional image: neither the overpowering king of beasts nor the regal monarch, yet still conveying dignity, confidence, and unmistakable presence.

Translation Variants and Textual Tradition

Ancient versions differ on how best to render the term. The Berean Standard Bible chooses “a strutting rooster,” capturing the proud carriage and firm footing that match the proverb’s emphasis on stateliness. Earlier English versions favored “greyhound,” while some Jewish commentators suggested “war-horse.” Each option highlights poised movement and fearless bearing. Rather than undermining Scripture’s reliability, these variants underscore the breadth of ways the Spirit employs vivid, everyday pictures to teach timeless truth.

Natural and Cultural Background

Domesticated roosters were well known across the Ancient Near East by the late Iron Age. Their dawn crow both marked time and called households to action, while their territorial strut embodied watchfulness and self-assurance. In Israel’s agrarian villages a rooster moving among hens would be a familiar sight, projecting confidence far larger than its size. Even if one adopts the “greyhound” or “war-horse” reading, the common denominator remains: a creature whose carriage advertises courage and readiness.

Symbolic and Theological Implications

1. Order and Authority. Just as the rooster keeps order in the coop, the proverb links orderly movement with right authority, preparing the ear for the king who closes the list.
2. Watchfulness. A rooster’s crow anticipates dawn. Believers are likewise called to watch and be ready for the Lord’s appearing (Matthew 24:42).
3. Humble Boldness. Though relatively small, the rooster walks with unquestioned boldness. In kingdom life, seeming weakness can mask God-given strength (1 Corinthians 1:27).
4. Warning against False Pride. The same strut that pleases in its proper context becomes a parody when men exalt themselves apart from God (Proverbs 16:18).

Connections within the Canon

• Peter’s denial is punctuated by a rooster’s crow (Matthew 26:74-75), turning the proud apostle into a repentant shepherd. The sound that signaled self-confidence in Proverbs becomes an instrument of conviction in the Gospel narrative.
• The rooster’s watchfulness parallels the lion’s vigilance against threat (1 Peter 5:8). Both animals model attentiveness, though in opposite moral directions.
• The closing picture of a king “with his army around him” foreshadows the King of kings who will return at the head of the armies of heaven (Revelation 19:11-16). The escalating images—from beast, to bird, to human ruler—anticipate ultimate sovereignty in Christ.

Ministry and Devotional Insights

• Leadership Training: Proverbs 30:31 offers a template for teaching godly confidence—firm without arrogance, alert without paranoia.
• Dawn Prayer Practices: Just as the rooster announces morning, believers can set aside the first moments of the day for praise and orientation to God’s purposes (Psalm 5:3).
• Children’s Instruction: The vivid picture of a rooster provides a concrete way to illustrate spiritual vigilance and courage for young hearts.
• Humility Checks: Regular reflection on Peter’s experience guards against overconfidence, reminding the servant-leader that strength must rest in dependence on Christ (John 15:5).

Homiletical Outline Suggestion

1. Walk Worthy—The Stately Stride (Proverbs 30:29-31)
2. Watch Closely—The Rooster’s Crow (Matthew 26:74-75)
3. Lead Wisely—The King with No Uprising (Proverbs 30:31b)
4. Look Up—The Return of the True King (Revelation 19:11-16)

‘Alqum, though appearing only once, enriches the tapestry of Scripture by portraying strength under control, vigilance at first light, and the honor that attends rightful authority.

Forms and Transliterations
אַלְק֥וּם אלקום ’al·qūm ’alqūm alKum
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Englishman's Concordance
Proverbs 30:31
HEB: תָ֑יִשׁ וּ֝מֶ֗לֶךְ אַלְק֥וּם עִמּֽוֹ׃
NAS: And a king [when his] army is with him.
KJV: and a king, against whom [there is] no rising up.
INT: the male king army with

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 510
1 Occurrence


’al·qūm — 1 Occ.

509
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