← H5930 H5932 →

עִלָּה

𐤏𐤋𐤄

ʻillâh

H5931 noun

SILEX Entry

Root עלל to enter, to act, to cause

Definition

A reason, pretext, excuse, or occasion; refers to a motive or justification, often with the nuance of a deliberately constructed or artificial rationale. In context, frequently denotes a justification presented to explain or warrant an action or event, whether real or feigned.

Semantic Range

occasion, pretext, excuse, reason, cause (especially one that is artificial or contrived), legal justification, accusation

Root / Etymology

Root/etymology: Derived from the Aramaic root עלל, which corresponds to the Hebrew עלה (to go up, ascend), but in Aramaic usage the related form עלל carries the idea of entering, acting, or causing. The noun עִלָּה denotes something that 'arises,' particularly an occasion or cause, sometimes artificially constructed. There is no direct Hebrew lexical equivalent for this Aramaic term, though parallels are found in the sense of 'reason, motive.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

עִלָּה appears exclusively in Aramaic portions of the Hebrew Bible, notably in Ezra and Daniel. Its basic sense is a cause, reason, or occasion, but in context often denotes an 'excuse' or 'pretext,' particularly a motivation that may be manufactured for a specific purpose (such as a legal or political accusation). In Ezra and Daniel, it frequently refers to hostile parties seeking or claiming a legal basis (pretext) for action against the Israelites or the Jerusalem temple. The sense of 'artificially arising' or 'contrived' is implicit in many contexts, emphasizing the strategic use of a justification rather than a genuinely substantive cause. English translations generally render the term as 'occasion,' 'pretext,' or 'accusation,' but can sometimes underrepresent the nuance of deliberate manufacture. Distinct from Hebrew סִבָּה and טָעֲנָה, which more broadly denote causes or arguments; עִלָּה is more specific to pretexts, especially in adversarial or official contexts. Usage does not shift significantly across the Aramaic corpora, remaining consistent as a technical/legal term in imperial administrative settings.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) feminine from a root corresponding to עָלָה; a pretext (as arising artificially); occasion.

Bantu Hebrew

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

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

עלל (ʿ-l-l) — to enter, to act, to cause

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4606 מֵעָל from sunset-enterings-of
H4611 מַעֲלָל in his deeds
H5943 עִלַּי the Exalted One
H5948 עֲלִיל refining crucible
H5949 עֲלִילָה deed

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5931-02 עִלָּ֛ה ilah ANcfsa occasion contrived pretext 2
H5931-01 עִלָּ֑א ila ANcfsa fault contrived pretext 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5931-02 Daniel 6:5 עִלָּ֛ה ilah ANcfsa occasion contrived pretext
H5931-02 Daniel 6:5 עִלָּ֨ה ilah-2 ANcfsa occasion contrived pretext
H5931-01 Daniel 6:6 עִלָּ֑א ila ANcfsa fault contrived pretext
← H5930 Hebrew Lexicon H5932 →