תַּאֲלָה
𐤕𐤀𐤋𐤄
taʼălâh
H8381 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A solemn oath or imprecation, typically invoking divine consequences upon oneself or others; specifically, an oath accompanied by a curse clause, where violation would result in misfortune or punishment. The word primarily refers to the formal act of calling down a binding curse, most often as part of covenantal or legal contexts.
Semantic Range
oath (especially conditional or self-maledictory), imprecation, curse associated with legal or covenantal oath-taking, self-imposed curse, curse clause accompanying a formal promise
Root / Etymology
from the root אלה (ʼ-l-h), meaning 'to swear, to curse, to take an oath.' The noun תַּאֲלָה derives from this root, emphasizing the aspect of an oath or curse, often formalized in rituals or covenant stipulations.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, תַּאֲלָה is found in legal and covenantal situations, frequently referring to the self-maledictory oath formulas of the ancient Near East. Examples include Deuteronomy 29:11–14, where entering into a covenant involves a תַּאֲלָה, and Numbers 5:21, describing the 'bitter water that brings a curse' in ritual procedure. The word always carries the legal/judicial weight of the oath rather than a casual malediction. Over time, the term became closely associated with formalized covenantal agreements and the social mechanisms of oath-taking. Compared with other Hebrew words for 'curse' (e.g., קְלָלָה qalalah, which is broader and may refer generally to invoking misfortune), תַּאֲלָה specifically refers to the solemn, often legal or religious, nature of oath-curses. English translations vary: 'curse,' 'oath,' 'imprecation,' but modern scholarship recognizes תַּאֲלָה as referring primarily to the legal formula of self-malediction within a covenant or judicial context.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from אָלָה; an imprecation; curse.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
אלה (Ela) — to point out, to designate, to indicate demonstratively
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H412 | אֵל | toward |
| H414 | אֵלָא | Elah |
| H422 | אָלָה | he ascended |
| H424 | אֵלָה | her strong oak |
| H425 | אֵלָה | Elah |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8381-01 |
תַּאֲלָֽתְ/ךָ֖ | taalatekha | HNcfsc/Sp2ms |
Your curse | your oath-curse | your oath-curse | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8381-01 |
Lamentations 3:65 | תַּאֲלָֽתְ/ךָ֖ | taalatekha | HNcfsc/Sp2ms |
Your curse | your oath-curse | your oath-curse |