טְלָאִים (te.la.im)
te.la.im
Telaim
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The noun telaim, meaning "lambs," refers to a specific location in the territory of Judah. Although the word itself translates to a common animal, it functions primarily as a proper name for this place in the Hebrew Bible.
It appears only once in Scripture, in 1 Samuel 15:4. Here, the text describes Saul gathering his army at telaim before launching a campaign against the Amalekites. The name likely reflects local geography or agriculture, marking a site known for sheep farming where troops could assemble.
Translators typically render it as "Telaim" to preserve its identity as a place name rather than translating the literal meaning of "lambs." This single occurrence anchors the word in the narrative of Saul’s early military leadership, highlighting how ordinary terms often serve as markers for significant historical events.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word telaim appears only once in Scripture, serving as a place name rather than a common noun for lambs. In 1 Samuel 15:4, it marks the gathering point where King Saul mustered his army before facing the Amalekites. This location anchors a pivotal moment in Israel’s history, showing how God uses ordinary places and names to direct significant events.
For your faith journey, this reminds us that God is present in specific, tangible moments. Just as Saul gathered at Telaim for a critical task, you are called to be attentive to the places and times where God invites you to act. These settings are not random; they are opportunities to participate in His larger story.
Even when circumstances feel uncertain, like the lead-up to battle, trust that God is orchestrating events. Your obedience in small, everyday moments matters deeply to Him. He meets you where you are, using your faithful presence to advance His purposes.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- at <the>/ Telaim1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בַּ/טְּלָאִ֔ים1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 15:4
Saul summoned the people, and counted them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen and ten thousand men of Judah.
This verse identifies Telaim as the specific assembly point for Saul's army, highlighting its role in the narrative of Israel's first king.