אַלְמֹן
bereavement
Definition
אַלְמֹן (ʼalmôn) refers to the state of being bereaved, specifically widowhood or the condition of having lost one's husband. It denotes the grief, social vulnerability, and desolation experienced by a widow. The term appears only in Isaiah 47:9, where it is used metaphorically to describe the sudden, devastating loss that will befall Babylon, stripping her of her children and husband in a single day. This singular biblical occurrence emphasizes a complete and catastrophic bereavement.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 47:9. It appears in a prophetic oracle of judgment against Babylon. The context is metaphorical, applying the personal tragedy of widowhood and child loss to depict the nation's impending political and social collapse. The usage is poetic and dramatic, designed to convey utter ruin and desolation.
Etymology
Derived from the root אָלַם (ʼālam, H481), meaning 'to be bound' or 'to be silent,' which relates to the idea of being stricken or bereaved. It is directly connected to the noun אַלְמָן (ʼalmān, H488), meaning 'widower' or 'widow.' Thus, אַלְמֹן specifically denotes the state or condition of widowhood, extending from the root concept of being deprived or struck by loss.
Semantic Range
This word, though rare, carries significant theological weight in its context. It illustrates God's severe judgment on pride and cruelty, as seen in Babylon's downfall (Isaiah 47). The metaphor of widowhood underscores themes of divine justice, the reversal of fortunes, and the vulnerability that comes from opposing God. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Isaiah 47 by highlighting the completeness of the judgment—Babylon will be stripped of all familial and social security in a moment, a fate she inflicted on others (like Judah) now returned upon her.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, widowhood was a state of extreme vulnerability. A widow often lost her primary means of economic support and social protection, leaving her dependent on others or at risk of poverty and exploitation. The metaphor in Isaiah 47:9 would have been powerfully understood by the original audience as depicting not just personal grief, but a total collapse of security and identity for the nation of Babylon.
אַלְמָנָה (ʼalmānâ, H490) — the more common term for a 'widow' (a person), whereas אַלְמֹן refers to the state of widowhood.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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