אֶלֶף
𐤀𐤋𐤐
ʼeleph
H504 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A basic unit of social organization among the Israelites, typically designating a clan, tribe segment, or extended family group; also, a term for a thousand as a numerical value; rarely, used for cattle (ox or cow) in poetic or archaic context. The primary lexical meaning is thus 'clan' or 'thousand,' with contextual nuance indicating whether a social unit or a literal number is meant.
Semantic Range
clan, family group, military division, thousand (numerical value), herd of cattle (poetic/archaic), large group
Root / Etymology
From the root אָלַף (ʾ-l-p), meaning 'to train, be familiar, domesticate.' The noun אֶלֶף derives from this root, with original implications of group cohesion or domesticated association. The specific development to indicate 'thousand' is debated—possibly via the idea of a standard-sized clan/camp or by metonymy as a large domesticated group.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In early Israelite society, אֶלֶף signified a basic kinship group or military subunit, varying in actual size—sometimes fewer than a literal thousand—depending on historical context. In narrative and legal texts (e.g., Numbers, Joshua, Judges), it often refers to an organizational unit rather than a strict number. In census lists, the meaning oscillates between tribe sub-clan and mathematical thousand, with disputed readings among scholars. The term also appears in poetic texts (e.g., Job 42:12; Psalm 50:10) for herds of cattle, emphasizing abundance. The English translation 'family' narrows the term, losing the social or administrative nuance of Israelite organization. Modern translations may render אֶלֶף variously as 'thousand,' 'clan,' or 'group,' depending on context. Notably, the use for 'ox/cattle' is rare and limited to specific poetic or archaic passages. Later Jewish tradition fixed אֶלֶף as 'thousand' in numerical value, but this likely postdates much of its biblical usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from אָלַף; a family; also (from the sense of yoking or taming) an ox or cow; family, kine, oxen.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אלף (ʾ-l-p) — to train, to be familiar, to domesticate, to associate closely
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H441 | אַלּוּף | clan chief |
| H502 | אָלַף | the one training us |
| H503 | אָלַף | causing to multiply by thousands (feminine plural) |
| H505 | אֶלֶף | thousands |
| H506 | אֲלַף | one thousand |
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H504-01 |
אֲלָפֶ֨י/ךָ֙ | alafeykha | HNcmpc/Sp2ms |
of your cattle | your clans | 4 |
H504-05 |
וְ/הָ/אֲלָפִ֣ים | vehaalafim | HC/Td/Ncmpa |
and-the-oxen | and the clans | 1 |
H504-03 |
אַלְפִּ/י֙ | alepi | HNcmsc/Sp1cs |
my family | my clan | 1 |
H504-04 |
וַ/אֲלָפִ֣ים | vaalafim | HC/Ncmpa |
oxen | clans | 1 |
H504-02 |
אֲ֭לָפִים | alafim | HAcbpa |
oxen | thousands | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
8 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H504-01 |
Deuteronomy 7:13 | אֲלָפֶ֨י/ךָ֙ | alafeykha | HNcmpc/Sp2ms |
of your cattle | your clans |
H504-01 |
Deuteronomy 28:4 | אֲלָפֶ֖י/ךָ | alafeykha | HNcmpc/Sp2ms |
of your herds | your clans |
H504-01 |
Deuteronomy 28:18 | אֲלָפֶ֖י/ךָ | alafeykha | HNcmpc/Sp2ms |
of your herd | your clans |
H504-01 |
Deuteronomy 28:51 | אֲלָפֶ֖י/ךָ | alafeykha | HNcmpc/Sp2ms |
of your cattle | your clans |
H504-03 |
Judges 6:15 | אַלְפִּ/י֙ | alepi | HNcmsc/Sp1cs |
my family | my clan |
H504-05 |
Isaiah 30:24 | וְ/הָ/אֲלָפִ֣ים | vehaalafim | HC/Td/Ncmpa |
and-the-oxen | and the clans |
H504-04 |
Psalms 8:8 | וַ/אֲלָפִ֣ים | vaalafim | HC/Ncmpa |
oxen | clans |
H504-02 |
Proverbs 14:4 | אֲ֭לָפִים | alafim | HAcbpa |
oxen | thousands |