The meaning of “אָלָה”
Understanding ʼâlâh reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
curse, cursing, execration, oath, swearing. - an imprecation 1) oath 2) oath of covenant 3) curse 3a) from God 3b) from ...
אָלָה
curse, cursing, execration, oath, swearing. - an imprecation 1) oath 2) oath of covenant 3) curse 3a) from God 3b) from men 4) execration
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 26:28 | “And they said, We saw certainly that the Lord was with thee: and we said, Let there be now an oath betwixt us, even betwixt us and thee, and let us make a covenant with thee;” Word: אָלָה (ʼâlâh) | |
| Deuteronomy 29:20 | “The Lord will not spare him, but then the anger of the Lord and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the Lord shall blot out his name from under heaven.” Word: אָלָה (ʼâlâh) | |
| Nehemiah 10:29 | “They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God’s law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes;” Word: אָלָה (ʼâlâh) | |
| Proverbs 29:24 | “Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.” Word: אָלָה (ʼâlâh) | |
| Ezekiel 17:16 | “As I live, saith the Lord God, surely in the place where the king dwelleth that made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he brake, even with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die.” Word: אָלָה (ʼâlâh) |