Meaning of Lamed (ל) Hebrew Letter

Lamed is the twelfth Hebrew letter. It rises above the other letters in square script and is traditionally associated with a goad or staff, giving rise to teaching associations.

Pronunciation and form

Pronounced: LAH-med. Sound: l. An l consonant

Traditional meaning and association

Lamed is traditionally associated with Goad / Staff; related teaching associations include Teach / Direct. These traditional pictures should be distinguished from the letter’s role as a consonant in actual Hebrew words.

Biblical Hebrew word examples

לב (Lev) — Heart Genesis 6:5
לחם (Lechem) — Bread Genesis 3:19
לילה (Laylah) — Night Genesis 1:5
לשון (Lashon) — Tongue / Language Genesis 10:5

Scripture connections and Messiah

לחם — LECHEM · BREAD
Lamed begins lechem, bread. In John 6:35, Jesus identifies Himself as the bread of life.
John 6:35
לב — LEV · HEART
Lamed begins lev, heart. Jesus blesses the pure in heart, who will see God.
Matthew 5:8

Psalm 119 study passage

The acrostic stanza for Lamed is Psalm 119:89–96. Read the first verse of this stanza in the TOC Bible reader.