The meaning of “אָלָה”
Understanding ʼâlâh reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
adjure, curse, swear. - properly, to adjure, i.e. (usually in a bad sense) imprecate 1) to swear, curse 1a) (Qal) 1a1) t...
אָלָה
adjure, curse, swear. - properly, to adjure, i.e. (usually in a bad sense) imprecate 1) to swear, curse 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to swear, take an oath (before God) 1a2) to curse 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to put under oath, adjure 1b2) to put under a curse
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Judges 17:2 | “And he said unto his mother, The eleven hundred shekels of silver that were taken from thee, about which thou cursedst, and spakest of also in mine ears, behold, the silver is with me; I took it. And his mother said, Blessed be thou of the Lord, my son.” Word: אָלָה (ʼâlâh) | |
| 1 Samuel 14:24 | “And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.” Word: אָלָה (ʼâlâh) | |
| 1 Kings 8:31 | “If any man trespass against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to cause him to swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house:” Word: אָלָה (ʼâlâh) | |
| 2 Chronicles 6:22 | “If a man sin against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to make him swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house;” Word: אָלָה (ʼâlâh) | |
| Hosea 10:4 | “They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.” Word: אָלָה (ʼâlâh) |