יַעְלָם
Jalam, an Edomite
Definition
Jalam (יַעְלָם) is a proper name referring to an Edomite chieftain, a son of Esau and his wife Oholibamah (Genesis 36:5, 14). As an Edomite chief, he represents one of the tribal lineages descending from Esau, the brother of Jacob (Israel). His name appears in the genealogical records of both Genesis 36:18 and the parallel list in 1 Chronicles 1:35, solidifying his place in the ancestral history of the Edomite people. The name itself carries a meaning derived from its root, suggesting 'concealed' or 'hidden.'
Biblical Usage
The name Jalam is used exclusively in Old Testament genealogical contexts, specifically within the lineage of Esau (Edom). All four occurrences are in lists: Genesis 36:5 and 36:14 name him as a son of Esau, Genesis 36:18 lists him among the sons of Esau who became chiefs, and 1 Chronicles 1:35 repeats this genealogical information. There is no narrative about his life or actions; his usage is purely for ancestral record-keeping.
Etymology
The name יַעְלָם (Yaʻlâm) is derived from the Hebrew root עָלַם (ʿālam, H5956), which means 'to conceal' or 'to hide.' It is a passive participle form, meaning 'concealed' or 'hidden one.' This root is also seen in words like 'olam' (עוֹלָם), meaning 'eternity' or 'age,' conveying a sense of something veiled in time. As a personal name, it likely carried a symbolic or descriptive meaning, perhaps indicating a hidden quality or destiny.
Semantic Range
While Jalam himself is not a major theological figure, his inclusion in Scripture underscores the biblical theme of God's faithfulness to all His covenant promises, including those made to Abraham concerning both Isaac (the line of Israel) and Ishmael, and to Isaac concerning both Jacob (Israel) and Esau (Edom) (Genesis 25:23). The meticulous recording of Edomite genealogies, like that of Jalam, affirms the historical reality of these peoples and God's sovereign oversight over all family lines, even those outside the direct line of the Messiah. It reminds readers that God's purposes encompass the broader human story.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, personal names often held significant meaning, describing character, destiny, or circumstances of birth. Naming a child 'Hidden One' (Jalam) may have reflected specific hopes or events. Furthermore, as an Edomite chief, Jalam represents the social and political structure of Edom, which was organized into clans and chieftainships, a pattern explicitly noted in Genesis 36:15-19. Recording such genealogies was crucial for establishing identity, inheritance rights, and tribal relationships.
Esau (ʿĒśāw, H6215) — Father and progenitor of the Edomites, including Jalam. Edom (ʾĔdôm, H123) — The nation/people descended from Esau, to which Jalam belonged as a chief.
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.
Full methodology & sources →