Yom
/joʊm/noun
A Hebrew loanword meaning “day,” especially one used in Jewish religious or cultural expressions.
Did you know?In the Hebrew Bible, “yom” can mean not only a literal day but also a broader period of time, which is why its interpretation has influenced debates about creation and prophecy.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
*yawm-
“Day or period of daylight”
Ancient Akkadian
Akkadian
ūmu
“Day; daytime; a designated time”
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
יוֹם (yōm)
“Day, daytime, or a specified period”
Rabbinic Hebrew
Hebrew
יוֹמָא (yōmā)
“Day; a designated date or occasion”
Modern English
English
yom
“A Hebrew loanword used especially in Jewish religious and cultural contexts”
Explore more surprising origins