5961. alamoth
Lexical Summary
alamoth: Maidens, young women

Original Word: עֲלָמוֹת
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: `Alamowth
Pronunciation: ah-lah-MOHT
Phonetic Spelling: (al-aw-moth')
KJV: Alamoth
NASB: alamoth
Word Origin: [plural of H5959 (עַלמָה - maidens)]

1. (properly) girls, i.e. the soprano or female voice, perhaps falsetto

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Alamoth

Plural of almah; properly, girls, i.e. The soprano or female voice, perhaps falsetto -- Alamoth.

see HEBREW almah

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
pl. of almah
Definition
(soprano voices of) young women
NASB Translation
alamoth (1).

Topical Lexicon
Overview

עֲלָמוֹת appears only twice in the Old Testament canon and is placed in contexts that guide musical or liturgical performance. Though brief, its occurrences open a window on the practical outworking of corporate worship in Israel and on the theological conviction that every detail of worship must be offered to God with excellence and intentionality.

Occurrences in Scripture

1 Chronicles 15:20 – “Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah were to play the harps, according to Alamoth.”
Psalm 46, superscription – “For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song.”

Musical Implications in Temple Worship

In 1 Chronicles 15 David is arranging the liturgy for bringing the ark to Jerusalem. By specifying that certain harpists play “according to Alamoth,” the text indicates a particular register or style—commonly understood as a higher range akin to the voices of young women. This would produce a bright, soaring sound that underscored the joy and purity of the procession. When the same notation heads Psalm 46, the sons of Korah are instructed to render the psalm with that same timbre, suggesting that the musical setting was intended to convey confident triumph in God’s protection through a vibrant, penetrating pitch.

Historical Context

David’s reforms centralized worship in Jerusalem and organized Levitical musicians into divisions with clearly defined roles (1 Chronicles 15–16). Musical notations such as Alamoth, Sheminith, and others ensured reproducible excellence from generation to generation. The Chronicler’s record, compiled after the exile, reminds post-exilic Israel that true worship is not haphazard. Even after centuries, these terms still called the community back to the standards established under David, reinforcing continuity between pre- and post-exilic worship.

Theological and Devotional Themes

1. Intentional Worship – Scripture preserves even technical directives, highlighting that God values order and skill (1 Chronicles 25:7).
2. Purity and Youthful Zeal – If Alamoth alludes to maidenly voices, it evokes themes of purity, devotion, and unjaded enthusiasm before the Lord (Psalm 148:12–13).
3. Corporate Confidence – Psalm 46 proclaims, “God is our refuge and strength” (verse 1). Sung “according to Alamoth,” the creed would ring out with clarity, rallying the congregation to steadfast trust amid turmoil.

Lessons for Ministry Today

• Musical excellence is an act of stewardship. Churches should invest thought and training into worship, recognizing that skill serves theology.
• Diverse voices enrich praise. By specifying different vocal or instrumental ranges, Scripture models inclusive participation without compromising order.
• Historical continuity matters. Retaining hymns, arrangements, or liturgical elements that connect believers with the faith of previous generations can strengthen identity and doctrinal stability.

Through its two brief mentions, עֲלָמוֹת testifies that every note of praise—its pitch, its performers, its purpose—returns to the God who is “exalted among the nations” (Psalm 46:10).

Forms and Transliterations
עֲלָמ֥וֹת עֲלָמֽוֹת׃ עלמות עלמות׃ ‘ă·lā·mō·wṯ ‘ălāmōwṯ alaMot
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Chronicles 15:20
HEB: בִּנְבָלִ֖ים עַל־ עֲלָמֽוֹת׃
NAS: with harps [tuned] to alamoth;
KJV: with psalteries on Alamoth;
INT: harps to alamoth

Psalm 46:1
HEB: קֹ֑רַח עַֽל־ עֲלָמ֥וֹת שִֽׁיר׃ אֱלֹהִ֣ים
KJV: of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.>>
INT: of Korah upon Alamoth A Song God

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 5961
2 Occurrences


‘ă·lā·mō·wṯ — 2 Occ.

5960
Top of Page
Top of Page