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אַלּוּף

𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤐

ʼallûwph

H441 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A leader, chieftain, or tribal head; also used for a close companion or confidant. The term refers primarily to a person of status, authority, or prominence within a clan, tribe, or group; secondarily, denotes an intimate associate or familiar friend. In some contexts, metaphorical extension allows for reference to a tamed animal, especially an ox or cattle, highlighting the qualities of domestication and familiarity.

Semantic Range

chief, clan leader, chieftain, head of a group, intimate friend or companion, guide, tamed or domesticated animal (esp. ox); metaphorically, one familiar or prominent within a group

Root / Etymology

From the root אָלַף (ʼ-l-p), meaning 'to be familiar, to learn, to accustom.' The noun אַלּוּף (ʼallûwph) develops metaphorically from 'one who is familiar/accustomed' (i.e., intimate or leader within a group), later expanding in meaning to 'chief' or 'ruler.' The occasional meaning 'ox' or 'bullock' arises from the root notion of 'tamed/familiar animal.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In patriarchal and monarchic periods, אַלּוּף designates a tribal leader or clan chieftain, especially among the Edomites (notably in Genesis 36, often translated 'duke' in some English versions, though the term more literally means 'clan chief'). In Israelite contexts, the word appears less frequently for Israelite leaders, with other terms such as נָשִׂיא (nasíʾ, 'prince') or שָׂר (sar, 'chief/official') more commonly used. The sense of 'close companion' or 'friend' emerges in poetic and wisdom literature, contrasting with more formal titles. Later Hebrew and post-biblical usage can include the meaning 'teacher' or 'one who instructs.' The translation as 'ox' or 'bullock' is rare and always in a metaphorical or poetic sense, not as the standard term for cattle. English versions such as KJV employ 'duke' or 'captain,' which may mislead modern readers concerning the social structure referenced; 'clan chieftain' more accurately reflects the social role in context.

Translation Consistency

primary "leader" 46 occurrences

The primary and most typical sense of אַלּוּף in context is a person of status or authority (chieftain/clan head). 'Leader' is a natural, broadly applicable English noun that fits tribal and group-head contexts while remaining idiomatic; rarer senses (close companion, tamed animal) are secondary and can be handled by context-specific modifiers.

Alternatives (23 occurrences):
"chieftains of" (14x) "clan-chiefs" (2x) "close friend" (2x) "companion" (2x) "gentle" (1x) "clan chieftains" (1x) "intimate friends" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or (shortened) אַלֻּף; from אָלַף; familiar; a friend, also gentle; hence, a bullock (as being tame; applied, although masculine, to a cow); and so, a chieftain (as notable, like neat cattle); captain, duke, (chief) friend, governor, guide, ox.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אלף (ʾ-l-p) — to accustom, to be familiar, to learn, to tame

Root אַלף to accustom, to be familiar, to learn, to tame
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H502 אָלַף the one training us
H503 אָלַף causing to multiply by thousands (feminine plural)
H504 אֶלֶף your clans
H505 אֶלֶף thousands
H506 אֲלַף one thousand

Word Forms

9 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H441-01 אַלּ֤וּף aluf HNcmsa chief clan chief leader 48
H441-02 אַלּוּפֵ֣י alufey HNcmpc chiefs of chieftains of chieftains of 14
H441-09 לְ/אַלֻּפֵי/הֶ֖ם lealufeyhem HR/Ncmpc/Sp3mp according to their chiefs their clan-chiefs their clan-chiefs 1
H441-08 כְּ/אַלֻּ֣ף kealuf HR/Ncmsa like-a-leader like a clan-chief like a leader 1
H441-03 אַלּוּפֵי/הֶ֖ם alufeyhem HNcmpc/Sp3mp their chiefs their clan-chiefs their clan-chiefs 1
H441-04 אַלּוּפֵ֗י/נוּ alufeynu HNcmpc/Sp1cp our leaders our clan-chiefs our leaders 1
H441-06 אַלֻּפִ֖ים alufim HNcmpa friends clan chieftains clan chieftains 1
H441-07 בְּ/אַלּ֑וּף bealuf HR/Aamsa in a friend in a chieftain in a close friend 1
H441-05 אַ֝לּוּפִ֗/י alufi HNcmsc/Sp1cs my companion my familiar-chief my companion 1

Occurrences in Scripture

69 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H441-02 Genesis 36:15 אַלּוּפֵ֣י alufey HNcmpc chiefs of chieftains of chieftains of
H441-01 Genesis 36:15 אַלּ֤וּף aluf HNcmsa chief clan chief leader
H441-01 Genesis 36:15 אַלּ֣וּף aluf-2 HNcmsa chief clan chief leader
H441-01 Genesis 36:15 אַלּ֥וּף aluf-3 HNcmsa chief clan chief leader
H441-01 Genesis 36:15 אַלּ֥וּף aluf-4 HNcmsa chief clan chief leader
H441-01 Genesis 36:16 אַלּֽוּף aluf HNcmsa chief clan chief leader
H441-01 Genesis 36:16 אַלּ֥וּף aluf-2 HNcmsa chief clan chief leader
H441-01 Genesis 36:16 אַלּ֣וּף aluf-3 HNcmsa chief clan chief leader
H441-02 Genesis 36:16 אַלּוּפֵ֤י alufey HNcmpc chiefs of chieftains of chieftains of
H441-01 Genesis 36:17 אַלּ֥וּף aluf HNcmsa chief clan chief leader
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