אַלְקוּם
a non-rising (i.e. resistlessness)
Definition
The Hebrew noun אַלְקוּם (ʼalqûwm) appears only once in the Old Testament, in Proverbs 30:31, where it is listed among four things that are 'stately in their stride.' Its basic meaning is 'a non-rising' or 'that which does not rise up,' suggesting something that cannot be resisted or opposed. In its single biblical occurrence, it is traditionally interpreted as referring to a strutting rooster or a king leading his army—both figures of undeniable authority before whom others cannot stand. The word encapsulates the concept of irresistible force or majestic presence that commands submission.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exactly once in the entire Old Testament, in Proverbs 30:31. It appears in a poetic list within the sayings of Agur, which describes four creatures or things that move with stately majesty. The context is wisdom literature, using observational imagery to convey lessons about order and authority. The specific phrase is 'a strutting rooster, a he-goat, and a king with his army around him' (or, following some translations, 'a king against whom there is no rising up').
Etymology
אַלְקוּם is a compound word, derived from the negative particle אַל (ʼal, H408), meaning 'not' or 'no,' and the verb קוּם (qûm, H6965), meaning 'to rise' or 'to stand up.' Thus, its literal construction means 'no rising up.' It is a nominal form created to describe a state or condition where opposition is impossible. This etymological background directly informs its meaning of resistlessness or irrepressibility.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, this word contributes to the biblical theme of God-given authority and order. In Proverbs 30:31, it highlights a created reality—whether in the animal kingdom or human governance—where certain powers move with undeniable majesty, a reflection of the divine order established in creation. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of the proverb by emphasizing that true, stately authority is something before which opposition is futile, a concept that ultimately points to the supreme and irresistible sovereignty of God.
In the ancient Near Eastern context of Proverbs, a king leading his army was the ultimate symbol of power and authority. The idea of 'no rising up' against him would resonate deeply in a culture familiar with monarchies and military conquests. The inclusion of a rooster or he-goat alongside a king uses familiar agricultural and domestic imagery to make a wisdom point about recognizable, innate leadership and presence in different spheres of life.
גְּבוּרָה (gᵉbûrâh, H1369) — denotes 'strength' or 'might,' focusing on power itself rather than the inability to oppose it. עֹז (ʿōz, H5797) — means 'strength' or 'might,' often used of God's power, emphasizing force and protection. מֶמְשָׁלָה (memshālâh, H4475) — refers to 'rule' or 'dominion,' highlighting the exercise of authority rather than the quality of being unopposed.
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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