תַּעֲלֻמָּהֿ (ta.a.lum.mah)
ta.a.lum.mah
secret
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun taʿălummâ refers to something concealed or kept out of sight, translated as "secret" or "hidden thing." It appears only twice in the Old Testament, both within the book of Job. In these passages, the word describes divine mysteries that are beyond human reach, emphasizing the gap between God’s knowledge and human understanding.
Its root relates to hiding or concealing, suggesting that these secrets are not merely unknown but intentionally guarded. The text highlights that such truths belong exclusively to God, who alone possesses them. This usage underscores a theme in Job where human wisdom falls short of comprehending the full scope of divine governance and purpose.
Translators typically render taʿălummâ as "secret" or "hidden thing," capturing the sense of something reserved from human access. The word’s rarity in Scripture draws attention to its specific theological weight in Job, where it marks the limits of human inquiry into God’s ways.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word taʿălummâ describes a secret that is intentionally kept hidden, not because God is withholding kindness, but because His ways exceed our capacity to grasp them fully. In Job, this term highlights the vast distance between human understanding and divine governance. We often seek complete answers to our suffering or confusion, yet Scripture reminds us that some truths belong exclusively to Him.
This reality can be a source of comfort rather than frustration. When we encounter situations where logic fails or pain seems senseless, we are not failing in faith by admitting we do not know. Instead, we are acknowledging the limits of our perspective. God’s wisdom holds two sides, as Job 11:6 suggests, and His knowledge is far deeper than our questions.
Even when things remain obscure, trust remains possible. The same God who binds streams and brings hidden things to light (Job 28:11) is faithful to reveal what we need for our lives. We do not need to possess all the answers to rest in His care. His sovereignty covers what we cannot see.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ secret/ her1×
- [the] secrets of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תַּֽעֲלֻמ֣וֹת1×
- וְ֝/תַעֲלֻמָ֗/הּ1×
Key Verses
-
Job 11:6
that he would show you the secrets of wisdom! For true wisdom has two sides. Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.
This verse uses the word to describe divine wisdom that has 'two sides,' emphasizing that God's understanding is more complex and expansive than human reasoning can capture.
-
Job 28:11
He binds the streams that they don’t trickle. The thing that is hidden he brings out to light.
Here the term refers to hidden natural processes, showing that God actively reveals what was concealed, demonstrating His power over both visible and invisible realms.