אַל
𐤀𐤋
ʼal
not
A negative particle used to express prohibition, negation, or exhortation, primarily in the context of prohibitive commands ('do not,' 'let not'), as well as jussive or optative expressions ('may it not be,' 'let it not happen'). Diverges from the simple negation expressed by לֹא (loʼ) by its specialized use with imperatives and jussive verb forms. Less commonly, functions as a noun meaning 'nothing' or 'not at all.'
Isaiah 54:2 · Word #7
Lexicon H408
| Lemma | אַל |
| Lemma (Paleo) | 𐤀𐤋 |
| Transliteration | ʼal |
| Strong's | H408 |
| Definition | A negative particle used to express prohibition, negation, or exhortation, primarily in the context of prohibitive commands ('do not,' 'let not'), as well as jussive or optative expressions ('may it not be,' 'let it not happen'). Diverges from the simple negation expressed by לֹא (loʼ) by its specialized use with imperatives and jussive verb forms. Less commonly, functions as a noun meaning 'nothing' or 'not at all.' |
Morphology HTn
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | T — Particle — Function word |
| Subtype | n — Negative — Negative particle |
Common Translation
| Phrase | not |
SIBI-P1 Translation H408-01
upon / over
| Morphological Notes | Preposition (HR); no inflection for gender or number in this form. |
| Rendering Rationale | The preposition derives from the root meaning "to ascend, be high," and fundamentally expresses elevation or position above something, whether spatially or figuratively. "Upon / over" preserves this core sense of upward or superior positioning inherent in the morphology as a simple preposition. |
View full lexicon entry for H408 →
SILEX v2
SIBI-P2 (Context-Aware)
not
| Same as P1 | No — adjusted for context |
| Rationale | Corrected from 'upon / over' (which is incorrect here) to the prohibitive 'not'; 'al' is a prohibitive particle in this context. |
| P1 Flag | wrong root or Strong's — P1 mistakenly rendered the preposition instead of the negative particle |