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אַל תַּשְׁחֵת

𐤀𐤋 𐤕𐤔𐤇𐤕

ʼAl tashchêth

H516 particle

SILEX Entry

Root שׁחת to destroy, to ruin, to spoil

Definition

A phrase meaning 'Do not destroy' or 'Do not ruin,' functioning as the incipit or title of certain psalms (e.g., Psalm 57, 58, 59, 75). Not a common noun or verb but a formulaic liturgical or musical direction.

Semantic Range

formulaic injunction 'Do not destroy,' musical/liturgical directive, psalm tune incipit; not used as a verb or noun in these contexts

Root / Etymology

Formation is from the negative particle אַל ('do not') and the Hiphil imperative from the root שָׁחַת (to destroy, spoil, ruin). The phrase thus literally means 'Do not destroy.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

The phrase אַל תַּשְׁחֵת appears in the superscriptions of a few psalms, likely functioning as the title of a well-known tune, musical style, or liturgical rubric at the time of composition. It is not a lexical word but a formula quoted verbatim. Modern translations sometimes transliterate it (e.g., 'Al-tashheth') or render it as 'Do Not Destroy,' but its precise function (musical instruction, liturgical refrain, thematic indication) remains debated. It does not reflect the content of the psalm directly and should be distinguished from imperatival uses of the same phrase in narrative context. Its use is confined to the Psalter's headings and is not attested as a common idiom elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible. Later rabbinic and translation traditions sometimes treat it as a song tune; English 'Destroy Not' is a literal rendering, but later terms such as 'Psalm of Do Not Destroy' are interpretive.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from אַל and שָׁחַת; 'Thou must not destroy'; probably the opening words to a popular song; Al-taschith.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

על (ʿ-l) — to go up, ascend, be high

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1167 בַּעַל and upon him
H3808 לֹא upon
H408 אַל upon / over
H409 אַל upon
H413 אֵל upon / over

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H516-01 אַל al HTn Do not upon, over 4
H516-02 תַּ֭שְׁחֵת tashechet HVhj2ms destroy Do not destroy 4

Occurrences in Scripture

8 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H516-01 Psalms 57:1 אַל al HTn Do not upon, over
H516-02 Psalms 57:1 תַּ֭שְׁחֵת tashechet HVhj2ms destroy Do not destroy
H516-01 Psalms 58:1 אַל al HTn not upon, over
H516-02 Psalms 58:1 תַּשְׁחֵ֗ת tashechet HVhi2ms destroy Do not destroy
H516-01 Psalms 59:1 אַל al HTn Do not upon, over
H516-02 Psalms 59:1 תַּשְׁחֵת֮ tashechet HVhi2ms destroy Do not destroy
H516-01 Psalms 75:1 אַל al HTn Do not upon, over
H516-02 Psalms 75:1 תַּשְׁחֵ֑ת tashechet HVhi2ms Destroy Do not destroy
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