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עֵלָּא

𐤏𐤋𐤀

ʻêllâʼ

H5924 adverb

SILEX Entry

Root עַל to go up, be high, ascend, be upon

Definition

Preposition and adverb expressing the spatial or metaphorical sense of 'above,' 'over,' or 'upon,' frequently indicating physical position higher than a reference point, but also used for authority or precedence, and for abstract extensions such as surpassing or being of greater importance in Aramaic contexts.

Semantic Range

above, over, upon, on top of, superior to, in authority over, surpassing

Root / Etymology

Derived from the Aramaic root על (ʻ-l), which is cognate to the Hebrew על ('al, 'upon, above'). The form עֵלָּא represents an emphatic/definite state of the base preposition, and is used primarily in Biblical Aramaic.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Used exclusively in the Aramaic sections of Daniel and Ezra, עֵלָּא serves to express spatial, hierarchical, or abstract relationships of superiority or position. While closely parallel to the Hebrew preposition על ('al), the Aramaic form adds grammatical emphatic state—often with a specific object or referent in mind. The term occurs when Aramaic is the administrative or court language (Persian or post-exilic periods), reflecting Imperial Aramaic conventions rather than native Israelite Hebrew usage. Standard English translations as 'above' or 'over' are broadly accurate, but may not indicate the nuance of official position or higher rank sometimes carried in administrative or legal contexts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) from עַל; above; over.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

על (ʿ-l) — go up, be high, ascend, be upon

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

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5924-01 וְ/עֵ֤לָּא veela AC/D then and above 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5924-01 Daniel 6:3 וְ/עֵ֤לָּא veela AC/D then and above
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