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אֵל

𐤀𐤋

ʼêl

H413 preposition

SILEX Entry

Root אל to go toward, to approach, to direct oneself toward, to be near, to be with

Definition

A prepositional particle primarily expressing direction toward a person, place, or thing. Its primary sense is 'to' or 'toward,' indicating motion or orientation in the direction of an object, target, or goal. In broader usage, it can mean 'into,' 'onto,' 'upon,' or, by extension, proximity ('near,' 'beside'). Furthermore, it is commonly used to introduce indirect objects ('to, for'), and in some constructions, it can signify situation 'with' or 'among,' or purpose or relation ('about, concerning, regarding').

Semantic Range

to, toward, unto, into, at, upon, for (indirect object), among, near, with, concerning, regarding, against

Root / Etymology

Root: אל (ʼ-l, aleph-lamed). Traditionally related to the root associated with 'strength' or 'might,' but as a particle, its etymology is debated and possibly distinct from the nominal root 'El' (god). In function, אֵל operates as an independent prepositional element, and some linguists link it with Proto-West-Semitic prepositional forms. The root meaning of 'strength' does not directly inform the particle's usage.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, אֵל as a prepositional particle is most often vocalized as אֶל ('el) and introduces direction, motion, or relationship. It is distinct from the nominal use אֵל ('El, 'god' or 'deity'). The preposition occurs throughout all periods of biblical Hebrew, from earliest texts (e.g., Genesis narratives) through exilic and post-exilic writings. Its function overlaps with other prepositions like לְ (le-, 'to, for') and עַל ('al, 'upon, over'), but אֵל specifically emphasizes direct motion or relation toward an object or person. In some poetic or archaic contexts, אֵל may appear to indicate position rather than motion (e.g., 'beside'), though this is secondary to its primary directional sense. English translations often render it as 'to,' 'toward,' or 'unto,' but must sometimes adjust to 'at,' 'with,' 'near,' or 'against' based on idiomatic Hebrew constructions. Do not confuse this functional use with the divine title or name אֵל (God), which represents a completely different lexical item despite being spelled identically.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(but only used in the shortened constructive form אֶל ); a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e.; near, with or among; often in general, to; about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אל (ʾ-l) — movement toward, approach, direction, nearness, relational orientation

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1008 בֵּית־אֵל toward
H3317 יִפְתַּח־אֵל toward
H352 אַיִל toward
H3815 לָאֵל Belonging to El
H4027 מִגְדַּל־אֵל toward

Word Forms

27 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H413-08 אֶל el HR to toward 3539
H413-10 אֵלַ֖/י elay HR/Sp1cs to me toward me 448
H413-12 אֵלָי/ו֙ elayv HR/Sp3ms to him toward him 431
H413-23 וְ/אֶל veel HC/R and to and toward 334
H413-15 אֵלֶ֖י/ךָ eleykha HR/Sp2ms to you toward you 226
H413-05 אֲלֵי/הֶ֖ם aleyhem HR/Sp3mp to them toward them 165
H413-02 אֲלֵ/הֶ֛ם alehem HR/Sp3mp to them toward them 129
H413-14 אֵלֶ֔י/הָ eleyha HR/Sp3fs to her to her 79
H413-07 אֲלֵי/כֶ֔ם aleykhem HR/Sp2mp to you toward you (mp) 64
H413-17 אֵלֵ֔י/נוּ eleynu HR/Sp1cp to us toward us 41

Occurrences in Scripture

5516 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H413-08 Genesis 1:9 אֶל el HR to toward
H413-08 Genesis 2:19 אֶל el HR to toward
H413-08 Genesis 2:22 אֶל el HR to toward
H413-08 Genesis 3:1 אֶל el HR to toward
H413-08 Genesis 3:2 אֶל el HR to toward
H413-08 Genesis 3:4 אֶל el HR to toward
H413-08 Genesis 3:9 אֶל el HR to toward
H413-08 Genesis 3:14 אֶֽל el HR to toward
H413-08 Genesis 3:16 אֶֽל el HR to toward
H413-23 Genesis 3:16 וְ/אֶל veel HC/R and to and toward
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