Lexical Summary ethmowl: Yesterday, formerly, in times past Original Word: אֶתְמוֹל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance before that time, heretofore, of late old, times past, yesterday Or tithmowl {ith-mole'}; or methmuwl {eth- mool'}; probably from 'eth or 'eth and muwl; heretofore; definitely yesterday -- + before (that) time, + heretofore, of late (old), + times past, yester(day). see HEBREW 'eth see HEBREW 'eth see HEBREW muwl Brown-Driver-Briggs תְּמוֺל, (תּמֹלׅ23, אֶתְמוֺל5, אֹתְּמוֺל 1 Samuel 10:11, אֶתְּמוֺל Isaiah 30:33; Micah 2:8 (see infinitive), substantive, used sometimes as adverb accusative, yesterday, figurative recently, formerly (Aramaic אִתְּמָלֵי, תְּמָלֵי, sometimes אִתְּמוֺל, 1 2 Samuel 15:20 תְּמוֺל בּוֺאֲךָ yesterday (=only lately) was thy coming, Job 8:9 תמול אנחנו (of) yesterday (Ges§ 141d) are we, Psalm 90:4 (genitive) בְּיוֺם אֶתְמוֺל. 2 usuually in combination with שִׁלְשֹׁם yesterday (and) the third day, to express the idea of formerly: thus a. as adverb accusative (a) גַּם תְּמוֺל גַּם הַיּוֺם 1 Samuel 20:27 (literal), compare Exodus 5:14 (sub b); (b) תְּמוֺל שִׁלְשֹׁם Exodus 5:8Ruth Exodus 2:11, so ׳אֶתְמ ׳שׁ 1 Samuel 4:7; (c) ׳גַּם שׁ ׳גַּם ת 2 Samuel 3:17; 1 Chronicles 11:2 ("" 2 Samuel 5:2 with ׳אֶתְמ). b. בִּתְמוֺל שִׁלְשֹׁם as formerly Genesis 31:2,5; Exodus 5:7; Joshua 4:18; 1 Samuel 21:6 (but Bu ׳מִתְּ, as c), 2 Kings 13:5; ׳שׁ ׳כְּאֶתְמ 1 Samuel 14:21; 1 Samuel 19:7; Exodus 5:14 ׳שׁ ׳כִּת גַּם תְּמוֺל גַּם הַיּוֺם as yesterday (and) the third day (= as formerly), both yesterday and to-day (=so more recently). c. ׳מִתְּמוֺל שׁ = (form) aforetime, Exodus 21:29,36; Joshua 3:6, ׳שׁ ׳וְהוּא לֹא שׂנֵא לוֺ מִתְּ Deuteronomy 4:42; Deuteronomy 19:4,6; Joshua 20:5; so ׳מֵאִתְּמוֺל שׁ 1 Samuel 10:11; גַּס ׳גַּס מִשּׁ ׳מִתְּ Exodus 4:10. 3 מֵאֶתְמוּל (alone) Isaiah 30:33 from yesterday = already; וְאֶתְּמוּל עַמִּי Micah 2:8 corrupt, read וְאַתֶּם לְעַמִּי (WRS, with יָקוּם; עַל עַמִּי We Now, with תָּקוּמוּ), and see שֵׂלְמָה. Topical Lexicon Scope and Function in Scriptureאֶתְמוֹל designates the immediate past—“yesterday,” “formerly,” “recently,” or “in times gone by.” Its eight appearances span historical narrative, poetry, and prophecy, consistently anchoring the reader in a point of contrast between what was and what now is. Narrative Uses: Marking Change and Continuity 1. Samuel employs the term four times to spotlight sudden reversals or unexpected continuities. These occurrences show אֶתְמוֹל functioning like a narrative hinge: Israel’s history often turns on what God does “today” in contrast to “yesterday,” reminding readers that divine initiative, not human predictability, governs redemptive history. Covenant Memory in Royal Transition In 2 Samuel 5:2 the elders cite David’s prior leadership: “Even previously, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and in.” אֶתְמוֹל validates David’s kingship by appealing to remembered experience. Covenant faithfulness is discerned through accumulated evidence; yesterday’s deeds warrant today’s trust. Poetic Reflection on Human Transience Psalm 90:4 elevates the word from human viewpoint to divine: “For in Your sight a thousand years are like a day that passes, or like a watch in the night.” In Moses’ prayer, “yesterday” becomes a metaphor for the brevity of all creaturely time, contrasting fleeting human life with the everlasting God. The term thus invites humility and sober numbering of days (Psalm 90:12). Prophetic Warnings Rooted in History Isaiah 30:33 declares Topheth “has long been prepared” (literally, “from yesterday”), emphasizing that judgment is neither impulsive nor unjust; it has been provisioned in God’s plan from ages past. Micah 2:8 laments, “But recently My people have risen up like an enemy.” The use of אֶתְמוֹל confronts Judah with the immediacy of their apostasy; the shift from covenant loyalty to oppression has occurred almost overnight, intensifying the prophet’s indictment. Theological Significance 1. Divine Sovereignty over Time: Whether describing God’s foreordained judgment (Isaiah 30:33) or His timeless perspective (Psalm 90:4), אֶתְמוֹל reinforces the biblical assertion that past, present, and future are under the Lord’s unchanging rule. Ministry and Homiletical Applications • Encourage believers to recount God’s “yesterdays” as fuel for present trust, echoing the elders’ recognition of David’s proven leadership (2 Samuel 5:2). Conclusion אֶתְמוֹל functions far beyond a mere chronological marker. From battlefield dread to prophetic admonition, it anchors Scripture’s testimony that God’s dealings with humanity are consistent yet continually fresh. Remembered rightly, “yesterday” becomes a catalyst for faith, repentance, and obedient expectancy for what the Lord will do today and forever. Forms and Transliterations אֶ֭תְמוֹל אֶתְמ֣וֹל אֶתְמ֥וֹל אתמול וְאֶתְמ֗וּל ואתמול כְּאֶתְמ֣וֹל כְּאֶתְמ֥וֹל כאתמול מֵֽאֶתְמוּל֙ מֵאִתְּמ֣וֹל מאתמול ’eṯ·mō·wl ’eṯmōwl etMol kə’eṯmōwl kə·’eṯ·mō·wl keetMol mê’eṯmūl mê’ittəmōwl mê·’eṯ·mūl mê·’it·tə·mō·wl meetMul meitteMol veetMul wə’eṯmūl wə·’eṯ·mūlLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 4:7 HEB: הָיְתָ֛ה כָּזֹ֖את אֶתְמ֥וֹל שִׁלְשֹֽׁם׃ INT: has happened likewise before time before that time 1 Samuel 10:11 1 Samuel 14:21 1 Samuel 19:7 2 Samuel 5:2 Psalm 90:4 Isaiah 30:33 Micah 2:8 8 Occurrences |
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Mandean עתמאל NöM 202; Ethiopic 
Assyrian timâli, itimâli, ina timâli (Dl158, 721); derivation dubious; according to MeiGr. Syr. 118 Köii. 264 f. from Arabic 
II. prolongavit, IV. longam vitam concessit, 
tempus, 
the two times, i.e. night and day, in form an infinitive of VI. 
; hence properly long time, (past) time, specialized to yesterday); — yesterday, but usually figurative= recently or formerly: