אָלַח (H444) — Hebrew Lexicon

אָלַח

𐤀𐤋𐤇

ʼâlach

H444 verb

SILEX Entry

Root אלח to be filthy, to become defiled, to be polluted

Definition

To become defiled, impure, or polluted, often in a moral or ritual sense. The verb primarily conveys the idea of being soiled or tainted, whether literally (as in soiling, dirtying) or figuratively (becoming morally or ritually corrupt). The word can refer both to physical impurity and to the degradation of moral character, depending on context.

Semantic Range

to become filthy, to be polluted, to become morally corrupt, to become impure, to be defiled

Root / Etymology

Root/etymology: The root is אלח, with the core meaning 'to be or become filthy, defiled, polluted'. The word is thought to derive from a root meaning to become smeared, fouled, or corrupted. While the precise origin within Semitic languages is not fully established, the term is attested as a verb denoting a process of becoming unclean or corrupted.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The verb אָלַח (ʼâlach) is relatively rare in the Hebrew Bible, mainly appearing in poetical or late texts (e.g., Job 15:16), where it describes people as having become impure or contaminated, particularly with reference to moral or ethical failure. It is distinct from other Hebrew roots for impurity such as טמא (ṭ-m-ʼ, 'to be unclean'), which more commonly indicates ritual impurity, and חנף (ḥ-n-p, 'to be profane, godless'), which focuses more on moral irreverence. אָלַח tends toward an emphasis on deep-seated corruption or defilement. The root is not normally associated with the technical vocabulary of temple ritual purity but rather conveys a broader or more vivid sense of ethical and physical taint. In post-biblical Hebrew its usage declines and is largely replaced by more common words for impurity. Standard English versions often translate this root with 'become filthy' or 'corrupt', which reasonably reflects its core sense but may miss nuances distinguishing it from other impurity terms.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to muddle, i.e. (figuratively and intransitive) to turn (morally) corrupt; become filthy.

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Root Family

אלח (ʾ-l-ḥ) — to be filthy, to become defiled, to be polluted

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`H444-01`	נֶ֫אֱלָ֥חוּ	neelachu	`HVNp3cp`	they have become corrupt	they have become defiled		2
`H444-02`	וְֽ/נֶאֱלָ֑ח	veneelach	`HC/VNrmsa`	and corrupt	being defiled		1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1
`H444-01`	Psalms 14:3	נֶ֫אֱלָ֥חוּ	neelachu	`HVNp3cp`	they have become corrupt	they have become defiled
`H444-01`	Psalms 53:4	נֶ֫אֱלָ֥חוּ	neelachu	`HVNp3cp`	they have become corrupt	they have become defiled
`H444-02`	Job 15:16	וְֽ/נֶאֱלָ֑ח	veneelach	`HC/VNrmsa`	and corrupt	being defiled

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