Lamed (ל) – Old Testament Hebrew words that start with lamed

• Old Testament Hebrew
• New Testament Greek

Quick reference

Hebrew Name:

לָמֶד

English Name:

lamed

Pronunciation:

lah-med

Letter:

ל

Speech Sound:

consonant

Numerical Value:

30

Pronunciation guide

Lamed is pronounced with the tongue raised towards the roof of the mouth, similar to the “L” in “lion.” This sound is consistent regardless of where the letter appears in a word and doesn’t change its sound based on the presence of dots (dagesh) or other markers (niqqud).

Numerical significance

Lamed carries the numerical value of thirty (30) in the Hebrew numbering system, Gematria. The number thirty can symbolize dedication to a particular task or the maturity that comes with experience, as it was the age at which priests began their service (Numbers 4:2–3) and David began his reign as king (2 Samuel 5:4).

Cultural and symbolic meaning

In ancient pictograph form, Lamed is believed to resemble a shepherd’s staff, which signifies authority and the act of leading or guiding. The staff is a potent symbol in Hebrew culture, representing leadership as seen in the role of the shepherd, a common biblical metaphor for a ruler or teacher. The Lamed’s shape, with its towering ascender, also makes it the tallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet, which could be interpreted to reflect its significance in providing direction.