אֲלֻמָּה

אֲלֻמָּה

something bound; a sheaf

Definition

The Hebrew noun אֲלֻמָּה refers to a 'sheaf'—a bundle of harvested grain stalks bound together. It specifically denotes a bound collection, as seen in Genesis 37:7, where Joseph dreams of his brothers' sheaves bowing down to his sheaf. In its only other occurrence, Psalm 126:6, it symbolizes the fruitful result of labor, as one 'carries sheaves' with joy after sowing in tears. The word consistently carries the concrete image of a bound agricultural product, representing either a physical harvest or a metaphor for gathered produce or people.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only twice in the Old Testament. In Genesis 37:7, it appears in a narrative context within Joseph's dream, representing the brothers as individual bound sheaves. In Psalm 126:6, it is used in a poetic, metaphorical context to depict the joyful harvest reaped by those who sow faithfully, even with sorrow. Both uses rely on the agricultural reality of a sheaf, but one is visionary and symbolic of familial dynamics, while the other is a spiritual metaphor for reward.

Etymology

Derived from the root אָלַם (ʼālam, H481), meaning 'to bind' or 'to tie.' אֲלֻמָּה is a passive participle form, literally meaning 'something that is bound.' It is related to the masculine form אָלֻם (ʼālum), also meaning a sheaf. The etymology directly informs its meaning, emphasizing the act of binding stalks together into a manageable unit for harvesting and transport.

Semantic Range

Though a simple agricultural term, אֲלֻמָּה gains theological weight through its contexts. In Joseph's dream (Genesis 37:7), it foreshadows God's sovereign plan for Israel's history and Joseph's future leadership. In Psalm 126:6, it becomes a powerful metaphor for God's faithfulness in bringing spiritual harvest and joy from faithful, tearful labor. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of these passages by connecting the tangible act of harvest to themes of divine providence, reward, and the fruition of God's promises. In ancient Israelite society, a sheaf was a fundamental unit of the grain harvest. After reaping, stalks were gathered and bound to dry and for easier transport to the threshing floor. This imagery would be immediately familiar to an agrarian audience. The sheaf in Joseph's dream also subtly references the agricultural basis of the family's wealth and the future importance of grain in Egypt. The cultural understanding of a sheaf as the product of hard work and a source of sustenance underpins its metaphorical use for blessing and reward. עֹמֶר (ʼōmer, H6016) — a smaller dry measure or bundle of grain, often a tenth of an ephah; חִטָּה (ḥiṭṭâ, H2406) — wheat, the specific grain, not the bundled form.

Word Details