אַלְמֹן (al.mon)
al.mon
widower
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun almon refers to the state of being a widow or widower, describing the condition of having lost a spouse. While it can denote the personal status of bereavement, its usage in Scripture is quite limited, appearing only once in the canonical text.
This single occurrence is found in Isaiah 47:8, where the word is applied metaphorically to Babylon. The prophet uses the term to describe the city’s future, portraying it as a figure who has suffered the loss of her husband or protector. In this context, the word highlights the sudden and complete vulnerability that follows such a loss, serving as a powerful image for the fall of an empire.
Although the root concept is straightforward, its poetic application in Isaiah gives it significant weight. It moves beyond a simple legal or social category to express a profound sense of abandonment and exposure. The text uses this familiar human experience of grief and insecurity to illustrate the dramatic reversal of fortune for a proud nation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word almon paints a stark picture of vulnerability, describing the state of being a widower or widow. In Isaiah 47:9, it appears alongside the loss of children to describe the sudden collapse of Babylon. The prophet uses this familiar human tragedy to illustrate how quickly power can vanish, leaving even the mightiest nations exposed and unprotected.
For us, this word reminds us that our security does not rest in earthly strength or political stability. When the structures we rely on crumble, we are not abandoned. God sees the grief of those who have lost their protectors and companions. He offers a steadying presence when the world feels unstable.
While human alliances fade, divine faithfulness remains constant. We can find comfort in knowing that our ultimate hope is anchored in something far more enduring than any empire or earthly relationship.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ widowhood1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/אַלְמֹ֑ן1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 47:9
But these two things will come to you in a moment in one day: the loss of children and widowhood. They will come on you in their full measure, in the multitude of your sorceries, and the great abundance of your enchantments.
This verse pairs the loss of children with widowhood to emphasize the completeness of Babylon's sudden disaster, showing how human pride cannot withstand divine judgment.