אַלּוֹן
𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤍
Alon
H438 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper noun designating an individual Israelite named Allon, as well as a place name. In personal names, likely signifies 'oak' or 'terebinth' as an emblematic or symbolic reference rather than indicating the tree itself. As a place name, likely refers to a locality distinguished by a significant oak (or similar tree), or named for a founder bearing the name.
Semantic Range
proper name of an Israelite, place name, possibly also referring to notable oaks or locations marked by such a tree; as a common noun, means 'oak' or 'terebinth'
Root / Etymology
From the root אַלָּה (אל״ן), meaning 'oak' or 'terebinth' tree; the noun form אַלּוֹן carries the same meaning of 'oak'. Used as a proper noun for individuals and places, reflecting a typical biblical practice of adopting nature terms as personal or geographic names.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, אַלּוֹן is used both as a personal name (e.g., Allon, a leader from the tribe of Simeon in 1 Chronicles 4:37) and as a place name (e.g., Allon-bacuth, 'oak of weeping,' in Genesis 35:8 and Joshua 19:33, possibly a location marked by a prominent oak tree). The use of 'oak' as a personal or place name reflects ancient Near Eastern naming conventions that employ elements of the natural environment as markers of identity or location. English Bible traditions often transliterate the name as 'Allon' rather than translating it. Though later English translations or traditions might associate these sites or individuals with later Jewish or Judean identities, the term's biblical context is rooted in the Israelite period and does not carry later religious meaning. The use of tree names as signifiers of prominence or locale parallels similar usage in Hebrew names for locations (e.g., Elah, Elon).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
the same as אַלּוֹן; Allon, an Israelite, also a place in Palestine; Allon.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אלן (ʾ-l-n) — oak, large tree, strong tree
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H437 | אַלּוֹן | mighty oak |
| H440 | אֵלוֹנִי | the Elonite |
| H494 | אֶלְנָתָן | El-has-given |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H438-01 |
אַלּ֛וֹן | alon | HNp |
Allon | Oak | 1 |
H438-02 |
מֵֽ/אֵל֜וֹן | meelon | HR/Ncmsa |
from the oak | from an oak | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H438-02 |
Joshua 19:33 | מֵֽ/אֵל֜וֹן | meelon | HR/Ncmsa |
from the oak | from an oak |
H438-01 |
1 Chronicles 4:37 | אַלּ֛וֹן | alon | HNp |
Allon | Oak |