עֲלָה
𐤏𐤋𐤄
ʻălâh
H5928 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
An offering, specifically one that is entirely consumed by fire on the altar as a ritual sacrifice. The term denotes an 'ascension' offering—the whole animal or portion being burned so that the smoke ascends to the deity. In Aramaic, it corresponds to the Hebrew עֹלָה (olah), used primarily in liturgical and sacrificial contexts in the biblical Aramaic sections.
Semantic Range
a burnt offering, a ritual sacrifice wholly consumed by fire; (by extension in liturgical Aramaic) any offering intended for total consumption on the altar
Root / Etymology
Aramaic form related to the Hebrew root ע-ל-ה (עלה), which means 'to ascend, go up.' The noun עֲלָה is derived from the action of 'going up' or 'being ascended,' referring to the rising smoke of the entire offering as it is burned on the altar.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Used exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the Hebrew Bible (notably Daniel 3:27), the term maintains near identity with the Hebrew עֹלָה, though it is grammatically distinct. In context, עֲלָה describes the fully burnt offering rather than general sacrifices (זֶבַח). The English 'burnt offering' summarises the ritual act but does not underscore the aspect of the offering's complete consumption and ascension in smoke, which is central to the meaning of עֲלָה/עֹלָה. In post-biblical and later Jewish tradition, the term olah survives, but the original context remains rooted in sacrificial rites of the Second Temple period and earlier.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to עֹלָה; a holocaust; burnt offering.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עלה (ʿ-l-h) — to ascend, to go up, to rise
| 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
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5928-01 |
לַ/עֲלָוָ֣ן | laalavan | AR/Ncfpa |
for-ascents | for ascension-offerings | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5928-01 |
Ezra 6:9 | לַ/עֲלָוָ֣ן | laalavan | AR/Ncfpa |
for-ascents | for ascension-offerings |