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עִלַּי

𐤏𐤋𐤉

ʻillay

H5943 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root עלל to ascend, be high, go up

Definition

An adjective meaning 'high, exalted, supreme,' used almost exclusively as a divine epithet for the God of Israel in Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible. Often rendered 'Most High,' this term denotes supremacy or preeminence, especially in a theological context.

Semantic Range

high, exalted, supreme, Most High (esp. as a divine title); preeminent, most powerful

Root / Etymology

Aramaic form derived from the root עלל (ʻ-l-l), meaning 'to be high, go up,' cognate to the Hebrew root עלה (ʻ-l-h). The formation עִלַּי is an Aramaic adjective pattern meaning 'high' or 'exalted.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

עִלַּי is used primarily in the Aramaic portions of Daniel (e.g., Daniel 3:26; 4:14) as a title or descriptive adjective for the God worshipped by the Judean exiles in Babylon, typically translated as 'the Most High' or 'Most High God.' The term reflects an Aramaic linguistic context, distinguishing itself from the Hebrew עליון (ʻelyon), a similar title often used in Hebrew passages. In the exilic and early post-exilic context, עִלַּי underscores the theological assertion of YHWH’s absolute supremacy over all rulers and deities, particularly within a polytheistic imperial setting. Later English translations frequently use 'the Most High,' which, while generally accurate, sometimes obscures its original usage as an Aramaic superlative adjective. The English word 'God' does not appear in the original term but is contextually implied. Compared to related terms, such as Hebrew עֶלְיוֹן (ʻelyon), עִלַּי is restricted to Aramaic narrative and poetic contexts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to עִלִּי; supreme (i.e. God); (most) high.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עלל (ʿ-l-l) — to ascend, be high, go up

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4606 מֵעָל from sunset-enterings-of
H4611 מַעֲלָל in his deeds
H5931 עִלָּה contrived pretext
H5948 עֲלִיל refining crucible
H5949 עֲלִילָה deed

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5943-01 עִלָּאָ֖/ה ilaah AAamsd/Td the Most High the Exalted One 7
H5943-03 עלי/א ly AAamsd/Td Most High the Exalted One 7
H5943-02 עִלָּיָ/א֙ ilaya AAamsd/Td over-me-the the Exalted One 2
H5943-04 וּ/לְ/עִלָּאָ/ה֙ uleilaah AC/To/Aamsd/Td and-to-the-Heights and to the Exalted One 1
H5943-05 ו/ל/עלי/א vlly AC/To/Aamsd/Td and-to-the-Most-High and to the Exalted One 1

Occurrences in Scripture

18 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5943-03 Daniel 3:26 עלי/א ly AAamsd/Td Most-the the Exalted One
H5943-01 Daniel 3:26 עִלָּאָ֖/ה ilaah AAamsd/Td High-the the Exalted One
H5943-03 Daniel 3:32 עלי/א ly AAamsd/Td Most High the Exalted One
H5943-01 Daniel 3:32 עִלָּאָ֑/ה ilaah AAamsd/Td Most High the Exalted One
H5943-03 Daniel 4:14 עלי/א ly ANcmsd/Td over it the Exalted One
H5943-01 Daniel 4:14 עִלָּאָ֜/ה ilaah ANcmsd/Td the Most High the Exalted One
H5943-03 Daniel 4:21 עלי/א ly AAamsd/Td the-Most-High the Exalted One
H5943-01 Daniel 4:21 עִלָּאָ/ה֙ ilaah AAamsd/Td highest-its the Exalted One
H5943-02 Daniel 4:22 עִלָּיָ/א֙ ilaya AAamsd/Td Most-High-the the Exalted One
H5943-02 Daniel 4:29 עִלָּיָ/א֙ ilaya AAamsd/Td over-me-the the Exalted One
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