אַל

𐤀𐤋

ʼal

H408 particle

SILEX Entry

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.'

Semantic Range

prohibitive negation (do not, let not), negative exhortation, optative imprecation (may it not be), rare nominal use (nothing, not at all)

Root / Etymology

Root uncertain. Possibly related to the negative particle לֹא (H3808), but the precise etymology is debated; both אַל and לֹא function as negative particles, but אַל is specialized toward prohibitive uses. Lexically distinct from לֹא, which is used for general negation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

אַַל is a prohibitive negation particle, most often appearing with second person imperatives or jussive forms to express prohibitions, warnings, or appeals (e.g., 'do not fear,' 'let not your heart be troubled'). While לֹא is used for declarative, factual negation ('it is not'), אַל is specifically for requests, commands, warnings, or prayers. This distinction is generally consistent across Biblical Hebrew periods, but instances in post-exilic and poetic texts sometimes show flexibility. The noun use in Job 24:25 ('nothing') is rare and exceptional. Standard English translations often conflate אַל and לֹא simply as 'not,' but they function differently grammar-wise in Hebrew. Understanding the nuance is especially important when interpreting commands or advice in biblical texts. Contrast also with בִּלְתִּי (bilti), a more absolute or exclusionary negation, and with אֵין (ʼein), a substantive 'there is not.'

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a negative particle (akin to לֹא); not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun, nothing; nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than.

Bantu Hebrew

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

Root Family

uncertain (Baleadan) — uncertain

Root uncertain to negate, prohibit, forbear, express a forbidding
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1002 בִּירָה the citadel
H105 אֲגַרְטָל bowls of
H1081 בַּלְאֲדָן Baladan
H1085 בִּלְדַּד Bildad
H1095 בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר Belteshatsar

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H408-01 אַֽל al HTn not upon / over do not 573
H408-04 וְ/אַל veal HC/Tn and do not and do not and do not 147
H408-02 אֶל el HR against toward not 3
H408-03 לְ֝/אַ֗ל leal HR/Tn to-nothing do not to nothing 1
H408-05 וְ/אֶל veel HC/R and against and toward and do not 1

Occurrences in Scripture

725 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H408-01 Genesis 13:8 אַל al HTn no upon / over let there not be
H408-01 Genesis 15:1 אַל al HTn Do not upon / over do not
H408-01 Genesis 18:3 אַל al HTn do not upon / over do not
H408-01 Genesis 18:30 אַל al HTn let not upon / over let not
H408-01 Genesis 18:32 אַל al HTn let not upon / over let not
H408-01 Genesis 19:7 אַל al HTn no upon / over do not
H408-01 Genesis 19:8 אַל al HTn do not upon / over do not
H408-01 Genesis 19:17 אַל al-2 HTn Do not upon / over do not
H408-04 Genesis 19:17 וְ/אַֽל veal HC/Tn nor and do not and do not
H408-01 Genesis 19:18 אַל al HTn not so / no upon / over not
H408-01 Genesis 21:12 אַל al HTn not upon / over do not
H408-01 Genesis 21:16 אַל al HTn not upon / over not
H408-01 Genesis 21:17 אַל al HTn do not upon / over do not
H408-01 Genesis 22:12 אַל al HTn do not upon / over do not
H408-04 Genesis 22:12 וְ/אַל veal HC/Tn nor and do not and do not
H408-01 Genesis 24:56 אַל al HTn do not upon / over do not
H408-01 Genesis 26:2 אַל al HTn do not upon / over do not
H408-01 Genesis 26:24 אַל al HTn do not upon / over do not
H408-01 Genesis 31:35 אַל al HTn Let not upon / over let not
H408-01 Genesis 33:10 אַל al HTn no upon / over please do not
H408-01 Genesis 35:17 אַל al HTn not upon / over not
H408-01 Genesis 37:22 אַל al-2 HTn do not upon / over do not
H408-01 Genesis 37:27 אַל al HTn not upon / over not
H408-01 Genesis 42:22 אַל al HTn Do not upon / over do not
H408-01 Genesis 43:23 אַל al HTn not upon / over do not
H408-04 Genesis 44:18 וְ/אַל veal HC/Tn and let not and do not and do not
H408-01 Genesis 45:5 אַל al HTn do not upon / over do not
H408-04 Genesis 45:5 וְ/אַל veal HC/Tn or and do not and do not
H408-01 Genesis 45:9 אַֽל al HTn do not upon / over do not
H408-01 Genesis 45:20 אַל al HTn not upon / over not
H408-01 Genesis 45:24 אַֽל al HTn not upon / over not
H408-01 Genesis 46:3 אַל al HTn do not upon / over do not
H408-01 Genesis 47:29 אַל al HTn not upon / over not
H408-01 Genesis 49:4 אַל al HTn not upon / over not
H408-01 Genesis 49:6 אַל al HTn not upon / over not
H408-01 Genesis 49:6 אַל al-2 HTn not upon / over not
H408-01 Genesis 50:19 אַל al HTn not upon / over not
H408-01 Genesis 50:21 אַל al HTn not upon / over do not
H408-01 Exodus 3:5 אַל al HTn "Do not upon / over do not
H408-04 Exodus 5:9 וְ/אַל veal HC/Tn and let them not and do not and do not
H408-01 Exodus 8:25 אַל al HTn let not upon / over do not
H408-02 Exodus 10:28 אֶל el HTn that toward not
H408-01 Exodus 12:9 אַל al HTn Do not upon / over do not
H408-01 Exodus 14:13 אַל al HTn not upon / over do not
H408-01 Exodus 16:19 אַל al HTn let not upon / over let not
H408-01 Exodus 16:29 אַל al-2 HTn not upon / over do not
H408-01 Exodus 19:15 אַֽל al HTn do not upon / over do not
H408-01 Exodus 19:24 אַל al HTn not upon / over not
H408-04 Exodus 20:19 וְ/אַל veal HC/Tn and lest and do not and do not
H408-01 Exodus 20:20 אַל al HTn not upon / over not