lamad

Lamad is a term that can refer to two related concepts in the Hebrew language: the Hebrew letter lamed and the root l-m-d, which underpins much of Hebrew learning and teaching vocabulary.

The Hebrew letter lamed (לקוח) is the 12th character of the Hebrew alphabet. Its name is lamed, sometimes transliterated lamad or lamed. In modern usage, it represents the sounds of the English “l.” Its numeric value is 30, and it has no distinct final form in its written shape. In the alphabet, lamed is notable for its tall, elongated form and for its frequent occurrence as a prefix with the preposition ל meaning “to,” “for,” or “toward” (as in לַעֲבוֹד, “to work”). The letter traces its origins to the Phoenician lamed, a symbol that historically depicted a staff or goad and is related to the Greek letter lambda.

Root meaning l-m-d. The three-consonant root ל-מ-ד underpins the Hebrew words for studying and teaching. The verb לָמַד (lamad) means “he learned” or “he studied” in the Qal perfect. The infinitive is לִלְמוֹד (limod, “to learn” or “to study”). Derived forms include לְמַדֵּה (teacher, as in מַלְמֵד, melamed) and תַּלְמִיד (talmid, student). The root also yields related nouns such as לִמּוּד (learning, study).

In summary, lamad can refer to the letter lamed or to the Hebrew root associated with learning and teaching, with wide-ranging presence in names, verbs, and nouns across Hebrew language and literature.