אַלָּה
𐤀𐤋𐤄
ʼallâh
H427 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A large and sturdy tree, most commonly an oak; sometimes used more broadly for strong or notable trees such as the terebinth. In the Hebrew Bible, 'allâh usually refers to a prominent tree, which may be associated with significant locations, boundary markers, or cultic sites. In some contexts, the precise botanical identification is uncertain and may refer to the Palestine oak (Quercus calliprinos) or, less frequently, the terebinth (Pistacia atlantica).
Semantic Range
oak tree, terebinth, large tree, prominent or sacred tree, location marker
Root / Etymology
From the Hebrew root אַלָּה or possibly related to אֵלָה (ʾêlâ), both denoting a large, prominent tree such as oak or terebinth. The root itself is not clearly attested outside this word and its close variants. Given the parallel form אֵלָה from the same root letters, the two may be dialectal or orthographic variants. The etymology is ultimately uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The word אַלָּה appears less frequently than אֵלָה, but the two are contextually related and sometimes interchangeable in the biblical text. They most often describe oaks but can also refer to similar robust trees. Trees termed אַלָּה were significant in the ancient Israelite landscape as meeting places, cultic sites, or topographic markers (cf. Genesis 35:4, Joshua 24:26). Older English translations often used 'oak' regardless of the underlying Hebrew, although some modern translations attempt more botanical precision. The probable referent is the Palestine oak, but definitive identification is sometimes debated among scholars, who note that terebinth and oak were both prominent in the region. The Hebrew terminology does not consistently distinguish between 'oak' and 'terebinth,' and usage may reflect local variation or oral transmission.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
A variation of אֵלָהlemma אִלָה first vowel, corrected to אֵלָה; {an oak or other strong tree}; oak.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אלה (ʾ-l-h) — strength, sturdiness, largeness (of trees)
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H412 | אֵל | these |
| H414 | אֵלָא | Elah |
| H422 | אָלָה | you swore an oath |
| H423 | אָלָה | solemn curse-oath |
| H424 | אֵלָה | her strong oak |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H427-01 |
הָֽ/אַלָּ֔ה | haalah | HTd/Ncfsa |
the oak | the sturdy oak | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H427-01 |
Joshua 24:26 | הָֽ/אַלָּ֔ה | haalah | HTd/Ncfsa |
the oak | the sturdy oak |