The meaning of “אַל”
Understanding ʼal reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
a negative particle (akin to לֹא) nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. - not (the q...
אַל
a negative particle (akin to לֹא) nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. - not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative) - once (Job 24:25) as a noun, nothing 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive)
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 19:8 | “Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.” Word: אַל (ʼal) | |
| Joshua 22:19 | “Notwithstanding, if the land of your possession be unclean, then pass ye over unto the land of the possession of the Lord, wherein the Lord’s tabernacle dwelleth, and take possession among us: but rebel not against the Lord, nor rebel against us, in building you an altar beside the altar of the Lord our God.” Word: אַל (ʼal) | |
| 1 Samuel 27:10 | “And Achish said, Whither have ye made a road to day? And David said, Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and against the south of the Kenites.” Word: אַל (ʼal) | |
| Job 24:25 | “And if it be not so now, who will make me a liar, and make my speech nothing worth? ” Word: אַל (ʼal) | |
| Proverbs 17:12 | “Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.” Word: אַל (ʼal) |