Lexical Summary am: people, peoples Original Word: עַם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance people (Aramaic) corresponding to am -- people. see HEBREW am NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to am Definition people NASB Translation people (8), peoples (7). Topical Lexicon Definition and Linguistic Setting עַם (ʿamm, Strong’s 5972) is the Aramaic counterpart to the common Hebrew noun ʿam (Strong’s 5971). It appears exclusively in the Aramaic sections of Ezra and Daniel, denoting “people” or “populace,” whether the covenant community of Israel, a foreign nation, or humanity at large. Its Aramaic form underscores the post-exilic milieu in which Judah lived under successive Gentile empires and had adopted Aramaic as the diplomatic lingua franca. Canonical Distribution Fifteen occurrences cluster in two books: Historical Context 1. Persian Period (Ezra). Cyrus’s decree (Ezra 1) and later royal correspondence were composed in Imperial Aramaic. The term ʿamm therefore appears in official edicts (Ezra 5–7) addressed to local “peoples” of the province “Beyond the River,” revealing the multiethnic environment in which the returning exiles rebuilt the temple. Theological Themes 1. God’s Sovereignty over All Peoples Daniel 2:44: “In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed—and this kingdom will not be left to another people.” The word ʿamm emphasizes that no human populace can thwart the eternal kingdom established by God. 2. Universal Worship of the Messiah Daniel 7:14: “He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the peoples of every nation and language should serve Him.” The plural use stresses that the messianic reign encompasses every ethnic group, prefiguring the New Testament vision of every tribe and tongue worshiping the Lamb (Revelation 7:9). 3. Distinction and Integration of the Covenant Community Ezra’s decrees distinguish “the people of Israel” from surrounding “peoples” (e.g., Ezra 6:12), yet those same decrees are issued for the protection and support of the Jewish remnant by Gentile authorities. The term therefore illustrates both separation for holiness and engagement with the nations for God’s purposes. 4. Judgment and Deliverance Daniel 3:29 records Nebuchadnezzar’s proclamation after the fiery furnace: any “people” speaking against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would be destroyed. The word underscores how God’s miraculous deliverance of His servants becomes a witness to the whole populace. 5. Eschatological Transfer of Dominion Daniel 7:27: “Then the sovereignty, dominion, and greatness of the kingdoms under all heaven will be given to the people—the saints of the Most High.” Here ʿamm links the saints collectively to the final kingdom, demonstrating the corporate destiny of God’s redeemed. Ministry Significance 1. Mission Motivation Because ʿamm in Daniel envisions every “people” serving the Messiah, the church is compelled to carry the gospel across linguistic and cultural barriers, confident that Christ’s kingdom includes all ethnicities. 2. Civic Engagement and Prayer Ezra portrays pagan rulers acting for the good of God’s house. Believers today may likewise pray for and work with governing authorities, trusting God’s hand over all peoples and nations. 3. Corporate Identity in Worship The word reminds congregations that faith is not merely individual. God relates to and redeems a people, calling the saints to united praise and mutual responsibility. Relationship to Hebrew ʿam (5971) While the Hebrew term often focuses on Israel as God’s covenant nation, the Aramaic form broadens the vista to global humanity. Together they present a consistent scriptural theme: one Lord reigning over His chosen people and ultimately over all peoples. Summary עַם (5972) weaves through Ezra and Daniel as a linguistic thread tying together temple restoration, imperial decrees, miraculous deliverance, and prophetic visions. It testifies that the God of Israel is the Lord of every people, who will give everlasting dominion to the saints and receive global worship through the Messiah. Forms and Transliterations וְעַם֙ וְעַמָּ֖ה ועם ועמה לְעַ֖ם לְעַ֥ם לעם עַ֨ם עַֽמְמַיָּ֔א עַֽמְמַיָּ֗א עַֽמְמַיָּ֜א עַֽמְמַיָּ֞א עַמְמַיָּ֡א עַמָּ֤א עַמָּ֨ה עַמָּה֙ עם עמא עמה עממיא ‘am ‘am·mā ‘am·māh ‘am·may·yā ‘ammā ‘ammāh ‘ammayyā am amMa amMah ammaiYa lə‘am lə·‘am leAm veAm veamMah wə‘am wə‘ammāh wə·‘am wə·‘am·māhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 5:12 HEB: דְנָה֙ סַתְרֵ֔הּ וְעַמָּ֖ה הַגְלִ֥י לְבָבֶֽל׃ NAS: and deported the people to Babylon. KJV: and carried the people away INT: this destroyed the people and deported to Babylon Ezra 6:12 Ezra 7:13 Ezra 7:16 Ezra 7:25 Daniel 2:44 Daniel 3:4 Daniel 3:7 Daniel 3:7 Daniel 3:29 Daniel 4:1 Daniel 5:19 Daniel 6:25 Daniel 7:14 Daniel 7:27 15 Occurrences |
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