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
| 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 |