אִילָן
𐤀𐤉𐤋𐤍
ʼîylân
H363 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A tree; used in biblical Aramaic to refer generically to any tree or large woody plant. The word does not specify species or function but denotes a substantial standing plant with a trunk and branches. In context, may refer to trees as part of a cultivated landscape, forest, or as a marker of location or territory.
Semantic Range
tree, large woody plant, generic tree
Root / Etymology
The term אִילָן (ʼîylân) is an Aramaic noun, ultimately of uncertain etymology but likely related to the Hebrew root אֵיל (ʾēl), meaning 'mighty, strong.' In Hebrew, the related word אֵילוֹן (ʾēlôn) means 'terebinth' or 'oak,' also deriving from the idea of strength or robustness. The Aramaic form is likely a cognate, sharing the root semantic of strength, but applied as the common noun for 'tree.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
This word occurs specifically in the Aramaic portions of the Hebrew Bible (notably in Daniel), and reflects the standard Aramaic term for 'tree.' In the Hebrew narrative portions, the equivalent is typically עֵץ (ʿēts), the Hebrew word for 'tree.' While אֵילוֹן in Hebrew can designate specific strong trees such as the terebinth, the Aramaic אִילָן is always generic. Later Jewish literature in Aramaic adopts אִילָן as the default word for 'tree,' ultimately influencing later Hebrew usage as well. English Bible translations generally render it simply as 'tree,' which properly reflects its meaning in context. The term carries no specific religious or national associations in its biblical usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to אֵילוֹן; a tree; tree.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
איל (ʾ-y-l) — strength, robustness, might
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H353 | אֱיָל | strength |
| H354 | אַיָּל | stag |
| H355 | אַיָּלָה | doe |
| H356 | אֵילוֹן | oak of |
| H357 | אַיָּלוֹן | Deer-Place (Ayalon) |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H363-02 |
אִֽילָנָ֖/א | ilana | ANcmsd/Td |
the tree | the tree | 5 |
H363-01 |
אִילָ֛ן | ilan | ANcmsa |
a-tree | strong tree | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H363-01 |
Daniel 4:7 | אִילָ֛ן | ilan | ANcmsa |
a-tree | strong tree |
H363-02 |
Daniel 4:8 | אִֽילָנָ֖/א | ilana | ANcmsd/Td |
the tree | the tree |
H363-02 |
Daniel 4:11 | אִֽילָנָ/א֙ | ilana | ANcmsd/Td |
the-tree | the tree |
H363-02 |
Daniel 4:17 | אִֽילָנָ/א֙ | ilana | ANcmsd/Td |
the tree | the tree |
H363-02 |
Daniel 4:20 | אִֽילָנָ֜/א | ilana | ANcmsd/Td |
the-tree | the tree |
H363-02 |
Daniel 4:23 | אִֽילָנָ֔/א | ilana | ANcmsd/Td |
tree-the | the tree |