עָלַם (a.lam)
a.lam
to conceal
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 24 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb `alam` means to conceal or hide, covering something from view either literally or figuratively. It appears twenty-four times in the Old Testament, with significant usage in Leviticus and the Psalms. The word describes actions like hiding an animal’s offspring (Deuteronomy 22:6) or keeping a sin secret until it is discovered (Leviticus 4:13). In these contexts, the focus is on the act of obscuring something that might otherwise be seen.
A notable nuance appears in how the word describes human behavior. It can refer to hiding one’s eyes to avoid seeing need or refusing to listen, as seen when God tells Israel He will not hear their prayers because they have hidden their eyes from justice (Isaiah 1:15). Conversely, it describes being hidden from God’s sight, such as when Psalm 90:8 states that all secret sins are laid bare before Him. The term also applies to people who act with deceit, hiding their true intentions behind a mask of friendship.
The theological weight of `alam` lies in the contrast between human concealment and divine visibility. While humans can hide actions from each other, Scripture consistently teaches that nothing remains hidden from God. This creates a tension where secrecy is often portrayed as a source of guilt or deception, while transparency before God is the intended state for the righteous.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word `alam` describes the act of covering or hiding something from view. In daily life, this might mean keeping a mistake secret to avoid shame or turning away your eyes when you see someone in need. It captures both the physical act of concealment and the moral choice to ignore reality. When we hide our actions, we often hope to escape consequences, but Scripture reminds us that true peace comes from transparency.
For your faith life, this word offers a gentle invitation to honesty. You do not need to carry the weight of secret sins or hidden fears alone. While humans can obscure their intentions from one another, God sees all things clearly. This knowledge is not meant to frighten you but to free you. Bringing your true self into the light allows for healing and restoration that secrecy can never provide.
Consider how this applies when you feel overwhelmed or guilty. Instead of hiding from God or others, trust that He already knows your heart. Psalm 90:8 reminds us that our secret sins are laid bare before Him, yet this visibility is part of His mercy. By choosing openness over concealment, you align yourself with the truth and find rest in His faithful presence.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 24 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ it will be hidden5×
- and/ you will hide yourself2×
- you will hide yourself1×
- you hide1×
- to/ hide yourself1×
- they will hide1×
- so/ I may hide1×
- it was concealed1×
- it hides itself1×
- hidden thing1×
- hidden1×
- he has hidden1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/נֶעְלַ֣ם4×
- וְ/הִתְעַלַּמְתָּ֖2×
- תַּעְלֵ֧ם1×
- תַּ֝עְלִ֗ים1×
- תִתְעַלָּֽם\׃1×
- עֲ֝לֻמֵ֗/נוּ1×
- נַ֝עֲלָמִ֗ים1×
- נֶעְלָ֣ם1×
- נֶעְלָ֑ם1×
- נֶעְלַ֤ם1×
- מַעְלִ֥ים1×
- לְ/הִתְעַלֵּֽם\׃\ \ס1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 1:15
When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you. Yes, when you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.
Here God states He will hide His eyes from prayers when accompanied by injustice, showing the moral weight of concealment.
-
Leviticus 4:13
“‘If the whole congregation of Israel sins, and the thing is hidden from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done any of the things which Yahweh has commanded not to be done, and are guilty;
This passage uses the word to describe an unintentional sin that was hidden from the assembly until discovered.
-
Deuteronomy 22:1
You shall not see your brother’s ox or his sheep go astray and hide yourself from them. You shall surely bring them again to your brother.
The command not to hide oneself when seeing a brother's lost animal contrasts selfish concealment with active care.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word `alam` mean?
How is `alam` different from other words for hiding?
Where does this word appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (24 verses across 13 books)
Leviticus 5 verses
“‘If the whole congregation of Israel sins, and the thing is hidden from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done…
Leviticus 5:2“‘Or if anyone touches any unclean thing, whether it is the carcass of an unclean animal, or the carcass of unclean…
Leviticus 5:3“‘Or if he touches the uncleanness of man, whatever his uncleanness is with which he is unclean, and it is hidden from…
Leviticus 5:4“‘Or if anyone swears rashly with his lips to do evil or to do good—whatever it is that a man might utter rashly with…
Leviticus 20:4If the people of the land all hide their eyes from that person when he gives of his offspring to Molech, and don’t put…