עַל
𐤏𐤋
ʻal
H5922 preposition
SILEX Entry
Definition
A preposition in Aramaic indicating spatial, figurative, or causal relationships, most fundamentally expressing the idea of elevation, position above, or resting upon something. It covers a range of semantic relationships including location or direction ('on, upon, over'), opposition or confrontation ('against'), causation or purpose ('concerning, because of'), and agency or instrumentality ('by, through'). The preposition is versatile and must be understood according to context, with 'downward aspect' when used negatively or adversarially.
Semantic Range
on, upon, over, above, against (implying superior position or opposition), concerning, about, because of, by reason of, for the sake of, due to, regarding, in the case of, through (by means of), from (as a result of), toward, relating to
Root / Etymology
Cognate to Hebrew עַל (ʻal), from the root עלה ('to go up, ascend, be high'). The preposition originally expresses an 'above' or 'upon' relationship, extending to various figurative and abstract uses in Northwest Semitic languages. This Aramaic form corresponds directly to the Hebrew preposition in both form and function.
Historical & Contextual Notes
עַל in Biblical Aramaic, primarily attested in Daniel and Ezra, preserves the same breadth of use as its Hebrew counterpart. Its core sense involves spatial orientation—'upon', 'over', 'above'—but it can equally indicate opposition ('against') especially in the context of conflict, often with a sense of superiority or dominance. It is also employed in causal and instrumental clauses, as in 'concerning', 'because of', or 'by reason of.' Unlike later Hebrew or Rabbinic usage, the Aramaic עַל carries a strong spatial or status-oriented nuance, especially in legal or narrative contexts. English translations vary: 'against' sometimes inadequately translates cases where the primary meaning is spatial or hierarchically above. Context, especially in legal or administrative texts, often determines whether a spatial, instrumental, or adversarial sense is intended. The apparent overlap with prepositions like לְ ('to, for') or בְּ ('in, with') is resolved by the distinct sense of elevation or causality intrinsic to עַל.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to עַל; {above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications}; about, against, concerning, for, (there-) fore, from, in, [idiom] more, of, (there-, up-) on, (in-) to, [phrase] why with.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עלה (ʿ-l-h) — ascend, go up, rise, increase
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H421 | אָלָה | Lofty One |
| H422 | אָלָה | he ascended |
| H4605 | מַעַל | upward |
| H4607 | מֹעַל | in hand-raising |
| H4608 | מַעֲלֶה | at the ascent |
Word Forms
12 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5922-01 |
עַל | al | AR |
upon | upon / over | 64 |
H5922-09 |
עֲל֑וֹ/הִי | alohi | AR/Sp3ms |
against it | upon him | 13 |
H5922-12 |
וְ/עַל | veal | AC/R |
and-upon | and upon | 7 |
H5922-11 |
עלי/ך | lykh | AR/Sp2ms |
of you | upon you | 6 |
H5922-03 |
עֲלָ֤/ךְ | alakhe | AR/Sp2ms |
you | upon you | 6 |
H5922-04 |
עֲלַ֣/י | alay | AR/Sp1cs |
to-me | upon me | 4 |
H5922-08 |
עֲלֶ֥י/נָא | aleyna | AR/Sp1cp |
to us | upon us | 3 |
H5922-02 |
עֲלַֽ/הּ | alah | AR/Sp3fs |
over it | he ascended | 2 |
H5922-10 |
עלי/ה | lyh | AR/Sp3fs |
over it | upon her | 2 |
H5922-07 |
עֲלֵי/הֽוֹן | aleyhon | AR/Sp3mp |
to them | upon them | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
111 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5922-01 |
Daniel 2:10 | עַל | al | AR |
upon | upon / over |
H5922-01 |
Daniel 2:15 | עַל | al | AR |
why | upon / over |
H5922-01 |
Daniel 2:18 | עַל | al | AR |
concerning | upon / over |
H5922-01 |
Daniel 2:24 | עַל | al-2 | AR |
to | upon / over |
H5922-01 |
Daniel 2:28 | עַֽל | al | AR |
upon | upon / over |
H5922-01 |
Daniel 2:29 | עַל | al | AR |
upon | upon / over |
H5922-01 |
Daniel 2:30 | עַל | al | AR |
for | upon / over |
H5922-01 |
Daniel 2:34 | עַל | al | AR |
on | upon / over |
H5922-01 |
Daniel 2:46 | עַל | al | AR |
on | upon / over |
H5922-01 |
Daniel 2:48 | עַ֖ל | al | AR |
over | upon / over |