אֲמָם (a.mam)
a.mam
Amam
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The noun amam (Strong’s H0538) identifies a specific location in the territory allotted to the tribe of Judah. The name translates literally as "their mother," though its precise etymological significance remains unclear beyond this literal rendering. It appears exclusively in the Old Testament, recorded only once in the biblical text.
This single occurrence is found in Joshua 15:26, where it is listed among the cities of the lowland region (Shephelah) within Judah’s inheritance. The verse places it in a sequence of settlements that marked the southern boundary and internal divisions of the tribe’s land. As a proper noun for a place, it serves primarily as a geographical marker in the distribution narratives rather than carrying independent theological weight.
Because the word is rare, appearing in just one verse, there are no broader semantic ranges or usage patterns to analyze. Its value lies in its contribution to the historical geography of ancient Israel, helping to define the extent of Judah’s territory as described in the book of Joshua. Scholars note it as a minor but distinct entry in the list of southern towns.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Joshua 15:26 lists Amam among the towns allotted to Judah. This single mention grounds the biblical narrative in real geography. It shows that God’s promises were fulfilled in specific places, not just abstract ideas.
For your faith, this reminds us that God cares about details. He knows the names of small settlements and tracks their boundaries. Your life, too, has specific moments and places where His guidance is active. Trust that He sees the whole map of your journey, even the parts that seem minor or obscure.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Amam1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אֲמָ֥ם1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 15:26
Amam, Shema, Moladah,
This verse records Amam as part of the Shephelah towns, showing how the tribe of Judah’s inheritance was precisely defined and distributed.