אֲהָלִים
𐤀𐤄𐤋𐤉𐤌
ʼăhâlîym
H174 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Aromatic wood or resin traditionally identified as aloe wood or agallochum, used especially in perfumes, incense, or as a luxury item. In the Hebrew Bible, the term designates a costly and highly valued fragrant material, often associated with other exotic spices or luxury goods in contexts of festivity, royal ceremony, or mourning. The precise botanical identification remains uncertain, but it refers broadly to imported exotic woods or their products prized for fragrance.
Semantic Range
aloe wood (agarwood), aromatic sticks, fragrant imported wood, incense component, symbol of luxury or festivity
Root / Etymology
Likely of foreign (non-Semitic) origin; not native to the typical triliteral Hebrew root system. The form is a loanword, possibly from a South or Southeast Asian term related to aquilaria (agarwood) trees. No clear Hebrew root; etymology uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The word appears predominantly in poetic or luxury contexts (e.g., Numbers 24:6, Psalms 45:9[8], Proverbs 7:17, Song of Songs 4:14). It is always mentioned with other precious spices, suggesting its status as an import and a symbol of wealth or extravagance. Unlike the modern 'aloe vera,' this term refers to aromatic wood (agarwood), harvested when infected with a particular fungus and valued in ancient incense and perfumery. The related feminine form (אֲהָלוֹת, ʼăhālôt) occurs only in the plural as well. The use of 'aloes' to render the term in some English translations can be misleading today; it does not refer to the succulent used for medicinal purposes. In biblical times, it signaled luxury, often reserved for royalty, sanctuaries, or exceptional ritual moments. In later periods, the word continued to refer to imported luxury woods and fragrances under Hellenistic influence.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or (feminine) אֲהָלוֹת (only used thus in the plural); of foreign origin; aloe wood (i.e. sticks); (tree of lign-) aloes.
Bantu Hebrew
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אהל (uncertain, loanword) (ʾ-h-l (uncertain)) — aromatic wood, fragrant resin, luxury import
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H174-03 |
וַ/אֲהָל֣וֹת | vaahalot | HC/Ncmpa |
and aloes | and aromatic woods | 2 |
H174-01 |
אֲ֝הָלִ֗ים | ahalim | HNcmpa |
aloes | aromatic aloes | 1 |
H174-02 |
כַּ/אֲהָלִים֙ | kaahalim | HR/Ncmpa |
like aloes | aromatic aloe-woods | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H174-02 |
Numbers 24:6 | כַּ/אֲהָלִים֙ | kaahalim | HR/Ncmpa |
like aloes | aromatic aloe-woods |
H174-03 |
Psalms 45:9 | וַ/אֲהָל֣וֹת | vaahalot | HC/Ncmpa |
and-aloes | and aromatic woods |
H174-01 |
Proverbs 7:17 | אֲ֝הָלִ֗ים | ahalim | HNcmpa |
aloes | aromatic aloes |
H174-03 |
Song of Songs 4:14 | וַ/אֲהָל֔וֹת | vaahalot | HC/Ncmpa |
and aloes | and aromatic woods |