אַלְמָן
al.man
forsaken
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word "al.man" (Strong's number H0488) is defined as "forsaken." Its singular occurrence in the Bible suggests that it is a term with a specific, perhaps unique, connotation. The fact that it is not used in other contexts implies that its meaning is tied to a particular situation or theme. Given its definition, "al.man" likely refers to a person or thing that has been abandoned or left behind. This could encompass a range of situations, from a widow who has been left without support to a location that has been deserted. The significance of this word lies in its ability to convey a sense of isolation and vulnerability, highlighting the consequences of being left without care or protection. The rarity of this word in the Bible underscores its importance as a potent expression of abandonment and neglect. Its use in a single instance suggests that it was chosen for its evocative power, conveying a sense of desolation and despair that is likely to resonate with the reader.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence across the text