אָ֑לֶף
𐤀𐤋𐤐
alef
thousand
prop, the same as אֶלֶף; hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand; thousand.
2 Chronicles 7:5 · Word #13
Lexicon H505
| Lemma | אֶלֶף |
| Lemma (Paleo) | 𐤀𐤋𐤐 |
| Transliteration | ʼeleph |
| Strong's | H505 |
| In-context | thousand |
Morphology HAcbsa
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | A — Adjective — Describes a noun |
| Subtype | c — Cardinal Number — Cardinal number |
| Gender | b — Both — Both (masculine and feminine) |
| Number | s — Singular — Singular |
| State | a — Absolute — The noun stands independently |
SIBI-P1 H505-03
a thousand-unit
| Root | אלף (ʾ-l-p) |
| Core Meanings | ox, clan, tribal unit, thousand, familiarity, leadership |
| Semantic Range | thousand (numerical), clan, tribal subdivision, military contingent, large group, chief (in related forms such as אַלּוּף). |
| Conceptual Significance | אֶלֶף reflects Israel’s social and military organization, where numbers often signify structured clan-units rather than abstract quantities. Its use connects counting with covenant community structure, strength, and ordered leadership within the tribes of Israel. |
| Morphological Notes | Masculine singular common noun in the absolute state (HAcbsa). Functions numerically as "one thousand" but grammatically remains singular. |
| Rendering Rationale | The noun אֶלֶף is masculine singular absolute, so the rendering preserves singular form with "a." Rather than a bare numeral, "thousand-unit" reflects the likely older sense of a clan or military grouping (originally associated with the ox as a symbol of strength and leadership), preserving the root’s connection to organized groups and strength. |
AI-generated (openai/gpt-5.2-chat-latest)
Words from Root אלף (ox, clan, tribal unit, thousand, familiarity, leadership)
| SILEX Code | Transliteration | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
H506-01 |
alaf | a thousand |
H504-01 |
alafeykha | your clan-thousands |
H505-01 |
alafim | thousands |
Word Usage (507 occurrences of H505)
| Location | Form | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genesis 20:16 | אֶ֤לֶף | elef | a thousand |
| Genesis 24:60 | לְ/אַלְפֵ֣י | lealefey | thousands of |
| Exodus 12:37 | אֶ֧לֶף | elef | thousand |