← H359 H361 →

אֱיָלוּת

𐤀𐤉𐤋𐤅𐤕

ʼĕyâlûwth

H360 noun

SILEX Entry

Root איל to be strong, to be mighty, to possess physical power

Definition

Feminine noun denoting strength or might, particularly in the sense of physical power, vigor or the attribute of strength personified or exemplified by a female. In poetic use, often applies metaphorically to sources or embodiments of strength, such as a strong support, a mighty entity, or occasionally referring to the strength associated with a (female) deer, especially in expressions of agility and swiftness.

Semantic Range

strength, might, power, vigor, protective strength, prowess, agility (metaphorical), source of strength

Root / Etymology

From the Hebrew root אֵיל (ʼêl), meaning 'ram,' 'deer,' or 'mighty,' which itself carries the idea of strength or power. The form אֱיָלוּת is a feminine abstract noun, built on the base of אֵיל, extending its core semantic field from 'the male deer' to an abstraction of its characteristic strength or might.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Psalm 22:20 (Hebrew v.21), the phrase "אֱיָלוּתִי" ('my strength') appears in the plea 'deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog.' The term functions as an abstract noun for 'strength,' closely associated with the vigor or power of a (female) deer, which in ancient poetics stood for agility and potency. English translations often render it as 'strength' or 'power,' but the term also carries nuances of protection or the resource from which vitality is drawn. In later tradition, some versions treat it with devotional or figurative senses (e.g., 'my darling' as something precious and protected), but the underlying meaning is anchored in ideas of physical and metaphorical might. The semantic field overlaps with terms like עֹז (oz, 'might') and כֹּחַ (koach, 'strength, ability'), but אֱיָלוּת uniquely evokes the strength associated with noble or swift creatures, such as the (female) deer. Usage in the Hebrew Bible is rare, and the term's meaning must be inferred contextually. Later periods (Second Temple and rabbinic) see a narrowing of the term's use, with subsequent translations sometimes introducing new interpretive nuances.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of אֱיָל; power; by implication, protection; strength.

Bantu Hebrew

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

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

איל (ʾ-y-l) — to be strong, to be mighty, to possess physical power

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H353 אֱיָל strength
H354 אַיָּל stag
H355 אַיָּלָה doe
H356 אֵילוֹן oak of
H357 אַיָּלוֹן Deer-Place (Ayalon)

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H360-01 אֱ֝יָלוּתִ֗/י eyaluti HNcfsc/Sp1cs my strength my strength 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H360-01 Psalms 22:20 אֱ֝יָלוּתִ֗/י eyaluti HNcfsc/Sp1cs my strength my strength
← H359 Hebrew Lexicon H361 →