← H356 H358 →

אַיָּלוֹן

𐤀𐤉𐤋𐤅𐤍

Ayalon

H357 noun

SILEX Entry

Root איל to be strong, to be swift, deer (stag)

Definition

Proper noun denoting multiple locations—primarily a significant city and valley in the southern part of ancient Canaan, later associated with the territory allotted to the tribes of Dan and Ephraim. The name is often understood as relating to deer, possibly 'place of the deer' or 'deer-field,' based on the underlying noun; however, its actual function is as a toponym signifying specific sites. The semantic range is restricted to geographic designations, distinct from the common noun for 'deer.'

Semantic Range

proper place name; city; valley; site of historical events; associated with deer (etymologically but not functionally in biblical usage)

Root / Etymology

Derives from the root אַיָּל (ayal), meaning 'hart, stag, deer.' The nominal form אַיָּלוֹן utilizes a locative or augmentative ending, yielding a toponym possibly intended to reference 'deer' or a place associated with deer. However, its use in the Hebrew Bible is exclusively as a place name. The root אַיָּל itself conveys strength, agility, or swiftness—qualities attributed to deer.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical contexts, Ayyalon (אַיָּלוֹן) refers chiefly to a city and valley significant for several military and tribal narratives, including the famed battle referenced in Joshua 10:12. Its location straddles tribal boundaries—initially allotted to Dan (Joshua 19:42) but later associated with Ephraimite control (1 Chronicles 6:54, 1 Chronicles 7:28), reflecting shifting territorial realities. The area served as an important crossroads and defensive site against Philistine incursions (1 Samuel 14:31, 2 Chronicles 28:18). The name does not designate inhabitants as Israelites, Judahites, or later Judeans, though later periods saw the valley within the Persian and Hellenistic satrapies known as Judea. English translations sometimes anglicize the name as "Aijalon" or "Ajalon," without conveying any connection to deer. While many toponyms in the Hebrew Bible reflect natural features or fauna, the literary function here is strictly geographic, and the etymological sense is secondary to the place name’s practical usage.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from אַיָּל; deer-field; Ajalon, the name of five places in Palestine; Aijalon, Ajalon.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

איל (ʾ-y-l) — strength, swiftness, deer (stag)

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H353 אֱיָל strength
H354 אַיָּל stag
H355 אַיָּלָה doe
H356 אֵילוֹן oak of
H359 אֵילוֹת Eloth

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H357-01 אַיָּלֽוֹן ayalon HNp Aijalon Deer-Place (Ayalon) 6
H357-03 בְּ/אַיָּל֖וֹן beayalon HR/Np in Aijalon in Aijalon 2
H357-02 אַיָּלֹ֑נָ/ה ayalonah HNp/Sd to Aijalon toward Aijalon 1
H357-04 וְ/אַיָּל֖וֹן veayalon HC/Np and Aijalon and Ayalon 1

Occurrences in Scripture

10 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H357-01 Joshua 10:12 אַיָּלֽוֹן ayalon HNp Aijalon Deer-Place (Ayalon)
H357-04 Joshua 19:42 וְ/אַיָּל֖וֹן veayalon HC/Np and Aijalon and Ayalon
H357-01 Joshua 21:24 אַיָּלוֹן֙ ayalon HNp Aijalon Deer-Place (Ayalon)
H357-03 Judges 1:35 בְּ/אַיָּל֖וֹן beayalon HR/Np in Aijalon in Aijalon
H357-03 Judges 12:12 בְּ/אַיָּל֖וֹן beayalon HR/Np in Aijalon in Aijalon
H357-02 1 Samuel 14:31 אַיָּלֹ֑נָ/ה ayalonah HNp/Sd to Aijalon toward Aijalon
H357-01 1 Chronicles 6:54 אַיָּלוֹן֙ ayalon HNp Aijalon Deer-Place (Ayalon)
H357-01 1 Chronicles 8:13 אַיָּל֑וֹן ayalon HNp of Aijalon Deer-Place (Ayalon)
H357-01 2 Chronicles 11:10 אַיָּל֔וֹן ayalon HNp Aijalon Deer-Place (Ayalon)
H357-01 2 Chronicles 28:18 אַיָּל֜וֹן ayalon HNp Aijalon Deer-Place (Ayalon)
← H356 Hebrew Lexicon H358 →