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אֵלוֹן

𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤍

ʼêlôwn

H436 noun

SILEX Entry

Root אֵל to be strong, mighty; strength, might

Definition

Large, robust tree, especially the oak (Quercus sp.), but sometimes referring more generally to other strong or significant trees. In most contexts, designates specific trees that serve as landmarks or are important in sacred, communal, or boundary-defining functions. May also denote a location named for such a tree.

Semantic Range

oak, large strong tree, terebinth, landmark tree, sacred tree, location named after such a tree

Root / Etymology

From the root אֵל (ʼēl), meaning 'strong' or 'mighty,' extended with the nominal suffix -וֹן (-ōn) to indicate 'strength' or an entity characterized by strength, hence 'a strong tree.' Closely related to אַיִל (ʼayil, H352), which can mean 'ram' or 'mighty tree,' and אֵלוֹן functions as an expanded form indicating particularly prominent specimens.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical narratives, אֵלוֹן most often signifies a specific oak or terebinth tree used as a landmark, gathering place, or a site associated with important cultic, ancestral, or legal activities (e.g., Gen 12:6; Judg 6:11). While sometimes translated generically as 'plain,' this obscures the reference to a prominent tree. The word may overlap in usage with אֱלוֹן (ʼēlôn, H437), though the spelling and context may distinguish particular trees or localities. The Septuagint typically renders אֵלוֹן as δρῦς (drys, 'oak'), supporting the identification with the oak species, but some passages may refer more generally to any significant large tree (including terebinth, Pistacia palaestina). During the patriarchal and monarchic periods, such trees were focal points for gatherings, treaty-making, or burial sites, reflecting their importance in social and religious landscapes. In late biblical usage, the distinction between 'oak,' 'terebinth,' and 'plain' in translations is often unclear, leading to wide variability in English versions.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

prolonged from אַיִל; an oak or other strong tree; plain. See also אֵילוֹן.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אל (ʾ-l) — strength, might, robustness

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

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H436-02 אֵל֣וֹן elon HNcmsc the oak strong oak of 5
H436-01 בְּ/אֵלֹנֵ֥י beeloney HR/Ncmpc at the oaks of mighty oaks of 3
H436-03 אֵלוֹנֵ֥י eloney HNcmpc the oaks mighty trees of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H436-02 Genesis 12:6 אֵל֣וֹן elon HNcmsc the oak strong oak of
H436-01 Genesis 13:18 בְּ/אֵלֹנֵ֥י beeloney HR/Ncmpc by the oaks of mighty oaks of
H436-01 Genesis 14:13 בְּ/אֵֽלֹנֵ֜י beeloney HR/Ncmpc at the oaks of mighty oaks of
H436-01 Genesis 18:1 בְּ/אֵלֹנֵ֖י beeloney HR/Ncmpc by the terebinths mighty oaks of
H436-03 Deuteronomy 11:30 אֵלוֹנֵ֥י eloney HNcmpc the oaks mighty trees of
H436-02 Judges 4:11 אֵל֥וֹן elon HNcmsa the oak strong oak of
H436-02 Judges 9:6 אֵל֥וֹן elon HNcmsc oak strong oak of
H436-02 Judges 9:37 אֵל֥וֹן elon HNcmsc the oak strong oak of
H436-02 1 Samuel 10:3 אֵל֣וֹן elon HNcmsc oak strong oak of
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