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אַיָּלָה

𐤀𐤉𐤋𐤄

ʼayâlâh

H355 noun

SILEX Entry

Root איל strength, to be strong, to advance

Definition

A female deer, specifically a doe or hind, often noted for her grace and swiftness. The term is used both for literal references to female deer and as a simile or metaphor for feminine beauty, slenderness, and agility. In poetic passages, may symbolize longing, affection, or desirable qualities.

Semantic Range

female deer, doe, hind, figure of feminine beauty or grace, symbol of longing or affection (figurative)

Root / Etymology

From the root א-י-ל (איל), meaning 'strength, power,' from which אַיָּל (ayal, 'male deer, stag') is also derived. אַיָּלָה is the feminine form of אַיָּל, denoting a female member of the species (doe/hind), distinguished by its feminine ending.

Historical & Contextual Notes

אַיָּלָה appears in both literal and figurative contexts in the Hebrew Bible. Literally, it denotes a female deer (doe or hind), an animal known for speed and elegance (e.g., Proverbs 5:19, Song of Songs 2:7). Figuratively, it frequently appears in poetry and wisdom literature as a simile or metaphor for desirable feminine qualities such as grace, beauty, swiftness, and delicateness. The association with longing or passionate affection is especially pronounced in texts like Song of Songs. English translations sometimes render the term simply as 'hind' or 'doe,' but these can obscure its full connotations, particularly its metaphorical uses. The word has remained largely stable in meaning from biblical times through later Hebrew. It should not be confused with other animal terms; for example, צְבִי (tzevi) designates a gazelle, a different species with distinct symbolic associations.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of אַיָּל; a doe or female deer; hind.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

איל (ʾ-y-l) — strength, power, advancement

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H353 אֱיָל strength
H354 אַיָּל stag
H356 אֵילוֹן oak of
H357 אַיָּלוֹן Deer-Place (Ayalon)
H359 אֵילוֹת Eloth

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H355-04 כָּ/אַיָּל֑וֹת kaayalot HRd/Ncfpa like hinds' like does 3
H355-03 בְּ/אַיְל֣וֹת beayelot HR/Ncfpc by the hinds in does of 2
H355-02 אַיָּלוֹת֮ ayalot HNcfpa of the deer does 2
H355-01 אַיָּלָ֣ה ayalah HNcfsa is a doe doe 1

Occurrences in Scripture

8 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H355-01 Genesis 49:21 אַיָּלָ֣ה ayalah HNcfsa is a doe doe
H355-04 2 Samuel 22:34 כָּ/אַיָּל֑וֹת kaayalot HRd/Ncfpa like hinds'/deer like does
H355-04 Habakkuk 3:19 כָּֽ/אַיָּל֔וֹת kaayalot HRd/Ncfpa like hinds' feet like does
H355-04 Psalms 18:34 כָּ/אַיָּל֑וֹת kaayalot HRd/Ncfpa like hinds' like does
H355-02 Psalms 29:9 אַיָּלוֹת֮ ayalot HNcfpa the does does
H355-02 Job 39:1 אַיָּל֣וֹת ayalot HNcfpa of the deer does
H355-03 Song of Songs 2:7 בְּ/אַיְל֣וֹת beayelot HR/Ncfpc by the hinds in does of
H355-03 Song of Songs 3:5 בְּ/אַיְל֣וֹת beayelot HR/Ncfpc by the hinds in does of
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