לִמֻּד

From the study of Isaiah 54:13

Range of meaning

This is a passive-type adjective from the root l-m-d. In the simple stem the root means "learn." In the intensive stem it means "teach, train" (the same root later gives talmid, "disciple," and Talmud). Limmud means someone who has been taught or trained, and so a pupil or disciple. It can also mean someone who has become used to something through practice. The word appears only a handful of times. Isa 8:16 has "seal the instruction among my disciples (limmuday)". Isa 50:4 uses it twice: the Servant has "the tongue of those who are taught" and listens "as those who are taught". Jer 13:23 has "you who are accustomed to do evil". Jer 2:24 has a wild donkey "used to the wilderness". (BDB, HALOT s.v.)

Against the English

"Taught by the LORD" (KJV "taught of," BSB, WEB, ESV) is accurate but can sound like receiving information or a lesson. The Hebrew is a noun-like word for a kind of person: a pupil who belongs to a master and has been shaped by training. NJPS's "disciples of the LORD" catches the status. NLT's "I will teach all your children" keeps the action but loses the picture of a pupil formed under a teacher.

How it drifted

Modern English "taught" is mostly about passing on information in a classroom. The Hebrew word carries the older idea of apprenticeship and habit, as in the Jeremiah passages where people and animals are "trained" into a way of life.

Used elsewhere in the period

Within Isaiah it is a deliberate thread. The prophet's circle of limmudim keeps his teaching (8:16). The Servant is a limmud whose ear God wakes "morning by morning" (50:4). Isa 48:17 has YHWH calling himself "the one who teaches you (məlammedkha) for your profit." The Greek Septuagint (the ancient Jewish translation, LXX) renders it didaktous theou, "taught of God." John 6:45 quotes it in that form, and Paul's coined word theodidaktoi, "God-taught" (1 Thess 4:9), probably echoes it. The Dead Sea Scrolls community appears to have borrowed the phrase "disciples of God" (limmudê ʾēl) for its own members.

From the study of Isaiah 50:4

Range of meaning

A passive form from the root l-m-d ('learn'; in another verb form, 'teach'). It means one who has been taught, trained or made used to something, so a pupil or apprentice. It can also mean simply 'accustomed to' something, good or bad. Later Hebrew uses talmid, from the same root, for 'pupil, disciple' (already in 1 Chronicles 25:8).

Against the English

KJV: 'the learned'. BSB: 'discipleship' / 'a disciple'. WEB/ESV: 'those who are taught'. NASB: 'disciples'. NIV: 'well-instructed'. YLT: 'taught ones'. Modern ears hear 'the learned' as scholarly or highly educated, which moves the stress from being taught to being clever.

How it drifted

In 1611 'learned' could still mean 'instructed, taught', and that fits the KJV's own second line, 'hear as the learned'. Modern English has narrowed the word to 'erudite, academic', so the KJV line now sounds like a gift of education or eloquence.

Used elsewhere in the period

Isaiah 8:16, 'seal the teaching among my disciples (limmuday)': the prophet's circle of pupils. Isaiah 54:13, 'all your children shall be taught by YHWH (limmudei YHWH)', quoted by Jesus in John 6:45. Jeremiah 2:24, a wild donkey 'used to (limmud) the wilderness'. Jeremiah 13:23, 'you who are accustomed (limmudei) to doing evil'.

From the study of Jeremiah 13:23

Range of meaning

This word comes from לָמַד (to learn; in another verb form, to teach). It means someone who has been taught or trained, a learner or disciple (Isaiah 8:16 'my disciples'; 50:4 'the tongue of those who are taught'; 54:13 'all your children shall be taught by the LORD'). It can also mean something trained by practice, as with the wild donkey 'used to the wilderness' (Jeremiah 2:24).

Against the English

'Accustomed' (KJV, BSB, WEB, ESV, NIV) gets the idea of a fixed habit. It loses the idea of instruction, of being schooled or discipled. NLT's 'you have always done evil' drops the idea of learning altogether. CSB's 'instructed in evil' is closer.

How it drifted

Older English 'accustomed' was close enough. To a modern reader it suggests passive habit, while the Hebrew word suggests a training process with teachers and practice.

Used elsewhere in the period

The Septuagint has μεμαθηκότες τὰ κακά, 'having learned evil things', and the Vulgate has cum didiceritis malum, 'since you have learned evil'. Both ancient translations heard 'learning' in the word. Jeremiah uses the same root again and again for Judah's schooling in wrong: 'you have taught your ways to evil women' (2:33); 'they have taught their tongue to speak lies' (9:5 Hebrew / 9:4 or 9:5 in English versions); 'the Baals, as their fathers taught them' (9:14 Hebrew / 9:13 or 9:14 in English versions).