מאוּם
m.um
blemish
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word "mum" (Strong's number H3971B) translates to the English word "blemish." This term is used 19 times in the Bible to describe a flaw, imperfection, or defect, often in the context of physical appearance. The word can also refer to a moral or spiritual shortcoming. The usage of "mum" varies from describing physical blemishes on animals (such as Exodus 19:20) to defects in human physical appearance (like Exodus 19:22). In some cases, "mum" refers to moral flaws, such as a person who has made a mistake (Exodus 29:7). This indicates that the concept of a blemish can encompass a broad range of contexts, from physical imperfections to moral or spiritual shortcomings. Understanding the significance of "mum" in the biblical context reveals that it emphasizes the importance of purity and perfection. Whether in the physical or moral realm, a blemish was seen as a defect that needed to be addressed. This highlights the biblical focus on striving for moral and spiritual purity, and the recognition that flaws or imperfections require correction.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
19 total occurrences across the text
Surely then you will lift up your face without spot; Yes, you will be steadfast, and will not fear:
Proverbs 9:7One who corrects a mocker invites insult. One who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
Song of Solomon 4:7You are all beautiful, my love. There is no spot in you.
Leviticus 21:17“Say to Aaron, ‘None of your offspring throughout their generations who has a defect may approach to offer the bread of his God.
Leviticus 21:18For whatever man he is that has a defect, he shall not draw near: a blind man, or a lame, or he who has a flat nose, or any deformity,
Leviticus 21:21No man of the offspring of Aaron the priest who has a defect shall come near to offer the offerings of Yahweh made by fire. Since he has a defect, he shall not come near to offer the bread of his God.
Leviticus 21:21No man of the offspring of Aaron the priest who has a defect shall come near to offer the offerings of Yahweh made by fire. Since he has a defect, he shall not come near to offer the bread of his God.
Leviticus 21:23He shall not come near to the veil, nor come near to the altar, because he has a defect; that he may not profane my sanctuaries, for I am Yahweh who sanctifies them.’ ”
Leviticus 22:20But you shall not offer whatever has a defect, for it shall not be acceptable for you.
Leviticus 22:21Whoever offers a sacrifice of peace offerings to Yahweh to accomplish a vow, or for a free will offering of the herd or of the flock, it shall be perfect to be accepted. It shall have no defect.
Leviticus 22:25You must not offer any of these as the bread of your God from the hand of a foreigner, because their corruption is in them. There is a defect in them. They shall not be accepted for you.’ ”
Leviticus 24:19If anyone injures his neighbor, it shall be done to him as he has done:
Leviticus 24:20fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. It shall be done to him as he has injured someone.
Numbers 19:2“This is the statute of the law which Yahweh has commanded. Tell the children of Israel to bring you a red heifer without spot, in which is no defect, and which was never yoked.
Deuteronomy 15:21If it has any defect—is lame or blind, or has any defect whatever, you shall not sacrifice it to Yahweh your God.
Deuteronomy 15:21If it has any defect—is lame or blind, or has any defect whatever, you shall not sacrifice it to Yahweh your God.
Deuteronomy 17:1You shall not sacrifice to Yahweh your God an ox or a sheep in which is a defect or anything evil; for that is an abomination to Yahweh your God.
Deuteronomy 32:5They have dealt corruptly with him. They are not his children, because of their defect. They are a perverse and crooked generation.
2 Samuel 14:25Now in all Israel there was no one to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty. From the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no defect in him.