Lamed
/ˈleɪ.mɛd/noun
The twelfth letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
Did you know?In Jewish mysticism, לamed is associated with study and aspiration, and its name is traditionally connected to a goad or shepherd’s staff, a tool that drives movement and guidance.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
PSem
*lmd
“A root associated with teaching, learning, and instruction”
Ancient Hebrew
Hebrew
לָמֶד
“The name of the twelfth letter of the alphabet; also associated with learning”
Aramaic
Aramaic
lamed
“The twelfth letter of the Semitic abjad”
Greek
Greek
lambda
“The borrowed letter name for the Greek alphabet”
Modern English
English
Lamed
“The Hebrew letter name used in English contexts”