רָם (ram)
ram
Ram
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Ram, derived from the Hebrew root meaning "high" or "exalted," appears in Scripture primarily as a personal name rather than a descriptive term. It identifies several distinct individuals across the genealogies of Judah and the lineage of Job’s friend Elihu. The most prominent figure is Ram son of Hezron, an ancestor of King David who features prominently in the family records found in Ruth 4:19 and 1 Chronicles 2:25.
Lexical sources note that this same name belongs to a different branch of Judah’s descendants, specifically the son of Jerahmeel, as well as to the patriarchal ancestor of Elihu in the book of Job. Although rare in narrative contexts, the name’s meaning reflects a characteristic Hebrew naming convention that associates personal identity with elevated status or divine favor.
Translators typically render this name as "Ram," though the KJV occasionally uses "Aram" for the Davidic ancestor, aligning with Luke 3:33. The word itself does not carry theological weight beyond its etymological sense of height; it serves simply to identify a specific person within the complex web of Israelite family trees.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Ram appears in Scripture as a link in the long chain of ancestors that leads to Jesus Christ. In Ruth and Chronicles, Ram is listed as the son of Hezron and father of Amminadab, placing him directly in the royal lineage of David. These genealogies remind us that God works through ordinary families and historical records, weaving individual lives into a grander story of redemption.
While the name itself means "high" or "exalted," it is used here simply to identify a person rather than to describe a spiritual state. This highlights how God values each generation, no matter how briefly they appear in the text. The lineage shows that faithfulness is passed down through generations, connecting the past to the present hope we have in Christ.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Ram5×
- and/ Ram2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רָ֖ם2×
- וְ/רָ֖ם2×
- רָ֥ם1×
- רָ֔ם1×
- רָ֑ם1×
Key Verses
-
Ruth 4:19
and Hezron became the father of Ram, and Ram became the father of Amminadab,
This verse places Ram directly in the line of David, showing his role as a crucial link between Judah's ancestors and the royal house.
-
I Chronicles 2:10
Ram became the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, prince of the children of Judah;
Here Ram is identified as the father of Amminadab, continuing the specific lineage that leads to Nahshon, the prince of Judah.
-
Job 32:2
Then the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled against Job. His wrath was kindled because he justified himself rather than God.
This reference identifies Elihu's family background as belonging to the line of Ram, distinguishing his heritage from the other genealogies in Chronicles.