יֵמִם (yem)
yem
hot spring
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 yemim appears only once in the entire Old Testament, located in Genesis 36:24. Its precise meaning remains a subject of scholarly debate because the context does not provide enough clues to settle the question definitively. Most modern lexicons classify it as having an uncertain meaning, noting that it likely functions as a plural form.
Scholars have proposed two primary interpretations for this rare word. One view suggests it refers to hot springs or fountains, which would fit a geographical description of a place name. Another tradition translates it as mules, implying the verse mentions livestock associated with the location. Without additional textual evidence, neither option can be confirmed with absolute certainty.
This single occurrence highlights the challenges of translating ancient Hebrew texts where specific vocabulary has fallen out of use or lacks clear parallel usage. The ambiguity serves as a reminder that some details in Scripture remain obscure, requiring readers to accept uncertainty while focusing on the broader narrative context of the genealogies in Genesis.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word yemim appears only once in the entire Old Testament, nestled within the genealogical records of Genesis 36:24. This verse lists the descendants of Zibeon and mentions Anah, who discovered these mysterious sources in the wilderness while tending to his father’s donkeys. Because this term is so rare, scholars debate whether it refers to hot springs or perhaps a type of livestock. The text itself does not clarify which meaning is intended.
For your faith life, this obscurity offers a gentle reminder that not every detail in Scripture needs to be perfectly resolved for the message to stand. The genealogies in Genesis serve to trace the lineage leading to the nations and, ultimately, to the people of God. You can rest assured that the broader narrative remains clear and trustworthy, even when individual words remain elusive.
When you encounter such uncertainties, it invites a posture of humility and patience. It is okay to acknowledge what we do not know while trusting in the reliability of the biblical text as a whole. This single word points us away from demanding complete knowledge and toward finding peace in the known promises of God.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ hot springs1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/יֵּמִם֙1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 36:24
These are the children of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah. This is Anah who found the hot springs in the wilderness, as he fed the donkeys of Zibeon his father.
This verse is the only occurrence of yemim, where Anah discovers these sources while feeding donkeys, though the exact nature of the word remains debated.