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אֲלוּ

𐤀𐤋𐤅

ʼălûw

H431 particle

SILEX Entry

Root אל to go up, approach (core Semitic root meanings, though not directly applicable to particle usage)

Definition

Exclamatory interjection used to draw attention or prompt observation, equivalent to 'look!' or 'behold!' in English. Functions as a marker to focus the listener's or reader's attention on an event or statement about to follow.

Semantic Range

behold!, look!, see!, lo! (interjection used for attention); marker of focused attention in narrative or direct speech

Root / Etymology

Root: אל (ʼ-l). The Aramaic form אֲלוּ (ʼălûw) is likely a prolonged or dialectal development from the common Semitic root meaning 'to go up' or 'to approach,' but in this instance it serves as an interjection without carrying the verbal sense. Its form parallels the Hebrew particle הִנֵּה (hinneh, 'behold').

Historical & Contextual Notes

אֲלוּ appears in Biblical Aramaic texts, notably in the Aramaic sections of Daniel (e.g., Daniel 3:24). The usage is distinctively Aramaic and does not occur in standard Biblical Hebrew. Its function is akin to discourse markers found in various languages (including Hebrew הִנֵּה). While some older English translations use 'lo!' or 'behold' for such particles, these can create an archaic or dramatic tone not necessarily present in the original. In context, it serves principally to highlight an important statement or event, often introducing direct speech, significant narrative turns, or notable observations. During the post-exilic period, as Aramaic became a lingua franca, such discourse particles became common markers of narrative structure in official or literary Aramaic texts. It is distinct from similar Hebrew forms both in spelling and in its specific deployment within Aramaic grammar.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) probably prolonged from אֵל; lo!; behold.

Bantu Hebrew

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

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Root Family

אל (ʾ-l) — to go up, approach

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

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H431-01 וַ/אֲל֨וּ vaalu AC/Tm and-behold and look! 5

Occurrences in Scripture

5 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H431-01 Daniel 2:31 וַ/אֲל֨וּ vaalu AC/Tm and behold and look!
H431-01 Daniel 4:7 וַ/אֲל֥וּ vaalu AC/Tm and-behold and look!
H431-01 Daniel 4:10 וַ/אֲלוּ֙ vaalu AC/Tm and behold and look!
H431-01 Daniel 7:8 וַ֠/אֲלוּ vaalu AC/Tm and-behold and look!
H431-01 Daniel 7:8 וַ/אֲל֨וּ vaalu-2 AC/Tm and-behold and look!
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