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אַיֶּלֶת

𐤀𐤉𐤋𐤕

ʼayeleth

H365 noun

SILEX Entry

Root איל to be strong, prominent, lead

Definition

A female deer, specifically a doe or hind; used both in literal contexts for the animal and in metaphorical or poetic imagery to convey beauty, grace, swiftness, or vulnerability. In poetic passages, may evoke longing or desire; also appears in titles of certain biblical psalms, potentially referencing a musical tune, motif, or thematic element rooted in the image of the 'hind.'

Semantic Range

female deer, doe, hind; emblem of grace, swiftness, longing (metaphorical); (possibly) musical or poetic motif/title

Root / Etymology

From the root איל (ʾ-y-l), which conveys the idea of strength, power, or prominence. אַיֶּלֶת is the feminine form and designates the female of the deer species, corresponding literally to 'hind' or 'doe.' The base root often carries connotations of strength or majesty, traits culturally associated with deer in the ancient Near East.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, אַיֶּלֶת appears only a few times. Its primary usage is in Psalm superscriptions, notably 'Aijeleth Shahar' (Psalm 22), traditionally rendered 'The Doe of the Dawn,' which is likely an instruction referencing a melody, tune, or thematic motif rather than a direct literal meaning. The literal sense (female deer) parallels the use of אַיָּלָה, with the feminine form here highlighting gender. The term is sometimes used metaphorically in biblical poetry (e.g., to describe gracefulness or desire in Song of Songs), although more commonly this role is filled by אַיָּלָה. English translations sometimes render אַיֶּלֶת as 'hind' or interpret it as a proper name in psalm titles; historically, some Jewish and Christian traditions interpreted the phrase more symbolically. Distinction from אַיָּל (the male 'stag' or 'hart') is maintained in Hebrew zoological usage.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

the same as אַיָּלָה; a doe; hind, Aijeleth.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

איל (ʾ-y-l) — strength, prominence, leading 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
H365-01 אַיֶּ֨לֶת֙ ayelet HNcfsa Doe hind 3

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H365-01 Jeremiah 14:5 אַיֶּ֨לֶת֙ ayelet HNcfsa the doe hind
H365-01 Psalms 22:1 אַיֶּ֥לֶת ayelet HNcfsc Doe hind
H365-01 Proverbs 5:19 אַיֶּ֥לֶת ayelet HNcfsc loving hind hind
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