עֲלַע
𐤏𐤋𐤏
ʻălaʻ
H5967 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A rib; refers specifically to one of the ribs as a side element of the body, or by extension, to something shaped or functioning as a rib or side structure. Used in Aramaic biblical texts to denote an anatomical rib or similar structural feature.
Semantic Range
rib (of a living creature), side-structure, curved element of anatomy or form
Root / Etymology
Aramaic form derived from the root צלע, which carries meanings of 'side' or 'rib.' The actual lexical form עֲלַע is an Aramaic loan or dialectal variant maintaining the essential sense of 'rib' as in the Hebrew צֵלָע.
Historical & Contextual Notes
This term occurs in Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible, notably in Daniel 7:5, describing the three ribs in the mouth of a bear in a vision. The form is not used in standard Hebrew narrative, which employs צֵלָע (tselaʿ) for 'rib' or 'side.' In biblical Aramaic and Aramaic inscriptions, עֲלַע is straightforwardly anatomical, with limited figurative extension. The Greek Septuagint consistently renders it with πλευρά (pleura), denoting 'side' or 'rib.' English translations use 'rib' but may not fully indicate the word's range to include 'side-structure.' Unlike צֵלָע, which in Hebrew can also denote the side of an object or architecture, עֲלַע in Aramaic remains closer to the anatomical sense.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to צֵלָע; a rib; rib.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
צלע (ṣ-l-ʿ) — to be curved, side, rib
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6760 | צָלַע | the limping one |
| H6761 | צֶלַע | limping affliction |
| H6762 | צֶלַע | in Tselaʻ |
| H6763 | צֵלָע | in side-panels of |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5967-01 |
עִלְעִ֛ין | ilein | ANcfpa |
ribs | ribs | ribs | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5967-01 |
Daniel 7:5 | עִלְעִ֛ין | ilein | ANcfpa |
ribs | ribs | ribs |