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אֵל

𐤀𐤋

El

H410 noun

SILEX Entry

Root אל to be strong, be powerful, be mighty

Definition

A generic term for a powerful being, primarily signifying 'god' or 'deity'; also used for mighty beings, heroes, or persons of extraordinary strength. In various contexts, denotes both specific deities (including the chief deity in Canaanite religion and the God of Israel) and figures of exceptional might. The semantic range extends from divine beings to human rulers or judges noted for strength or power.

Semantic Range

god, deity, divine being, mighty one, power, hero, strong (as adjective), judge (rarely), head of pantheon (in Canaanite religion); component in theophoric names

Root / Etymology

Root: אל, probably from the basic meaning 'to be strong' or 'to wield power.' The word אֵל is connected to the idea of strength or might from this root, and is used substantively for 'god,' 'deity,' or 'mighty one.' The termination '-el' is frequently found in personal and place names, stressing divine or mighty associations.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Northwest Semitic languages, including Hebrew, Ugaritic, and Phoenician, אֵל is both a generic term for 'god' and the name of a specific West Semitic/Canaanite deity, often depicted as a supreme creator figure. In the Hebrew Bible, אֵל is used both as a generic title for any god (whether the Israelite deity or foreign gods), and in poetic or archaic contexts for the God of Israel. Its use overlaps partially with אֱלֹהִים (Elohim), though אֵל often appears in archaic poetry, early prose, and compound divine epithets (e.g., אֵל שַׁדַּי 'El Shaddai', אֵל עֶלְיוֹן 'El Elyon'). In later periods, especially post-exilic writings, אֵל appears less frequently as a standalone designation. English translations sometimes obscure this nuance, rendering both generic and personal uses simply as 'God.' The root of אֵל should not be confused with אַיִל (H352), which refers to a 'ram' or by extension a 'leader' or 'tree,' even though the two share connotations of strength. The compound '-el' ending in names (e.g., מִיכָאֵל 'Mikha'el', 'Who is like God?') indicates either divine affiliation or the attribute of might. In Hellenistic, Roman, and subsequent periods, the term's use narrows further as Greek 'theos' and later religious categories standardize the understanding of deity.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

shortened from אַיִל; strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity); God (god), [idiom] goodly, [idiom] great, idol, might(-y one), power, strong. Compare names in '-el.'

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אל (ʾ-l) — strength, power, might

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1008 בֵּית־אֵל toward
H3317 יִפְתַּח־אֵל toward
H352 אַיִל toward
H3815 לָאֵל Belonging to El
H4027 מִגְדַּל־אֵל toward

Word Forms

15 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H410-03 אֵ֣ל el HNcmsa God toward 163
H410-07 הָ/אֵל֙ hael HTd/Ncmsa the God the Mighty One 20
H410-11 לְ/אֵ֥ל leel HR/Ncmsa to God to a mighty one 15
H410-05 אֵלִ/י֙ eli HNcmsc/Sp1cs my God my Mighty One 12
H410-10 לָ/אֵל֙ lael HRd/Ncmsa to God to a mighty one 10
H410-14 וְ/אֵ֤ל veel HC/Np and God and toward 6
H410-06 אֵלִ֑ים elim HNcmpa as strong ones mighty ones 4
H410-12 מֵ/אֵ֨ל meel HR/Ncmsc from God from a mighty one 4
H410-08 הַ֭/לְ/אֵל haleel HTi/R/Ncmsa to God to the Mighty One 3
H410-01 בָּֽ/אֵלִם֙ baelim HRd/Ncmpa among the gods among mighty ones 2

Occurrences in Scripture

245 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H410-11 Genesis 14:18 לְ/אֵ֥ל leel HR/Ncmsa of God to a mighty one
H410-11 Genesis 14:19 לְ/אֵ֣ל leel HR/Ncmsa of God to a mighty one
H410-03 Genesis 14:20 אֵ֣ל el HNcmsa God toward
H410-03 Genesis 14:22 אֵ֣ל el-3 HNcmsa God toward
H410-03 Genesis 16:13 אֵ֣ל el HNcmsc God toward
H410-03 Genesis 17:1 אֵ֣ל el-2 HNp God toward
H410-03 Genesis 21:33 אֵ֥ל el HNcmsc God toward
H410-14 Genesis 28:3 וְ/אֵ֤ל veel HC/Np and God and toward
H410-07 Genesis 31:13 הָ/אֵל֙ hael HTd/Ncmsa the God the Mighty One
H410-11 Genesis 31:29 לְ/אֵ֣ל leel HR/Ncmsc power to a mighty one
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