Original Word: אֵלָה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Ela
Pronunciation: ay-LAH
Phonetic Spelling: (ay-law')
Definition: Terebinth tree, Oak tree
Meaning: Ela

Word Origin: Derived from the root אֵל (El), which often denotes strength or might, commonly used in reference to God.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Greek equivalent for "Ela," the concept of significant trees can be seen in Greek terms like δένδρον (dendron, Strong's G1186), meaning "tree."

Usage: The Hebrew word "Ela" refers to a type of large, strong tree, often translated as "terebinth" or "oak" in English. These trees are noted for their strength and longevity, symbolizing endurance and stability. In the Bible, they are often associated with significant events or places, serving as landmarks or sites of divine encounters.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Israel, terebinth and oak trees were significant both ecologically and culturally. They provided shade and were often used as meeting places or landmarks. These trees were sometimes associated with sacred sites or altars, reflecting their importance in the spiritual and daily life of the Israelites. The terebinth, in particular, was valued for its resin, which was used in various applications.

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
an Isr.
NASB Translation
Ela (1).

אֵלָא proper name, masculine father of an officer of Solomon 1 Kings 4:18 (= II. אֵלָה terebinth?).

I. אלה (assumed as √ of אֵל, (אֱלוֺהַּ) אֱלֹהִים god, God, but question intricate, & conclusions dubious It is uncertain whether אֵל & אֱלֹהִים are from the same √. Following are the chief theories:

1. a. Thes makes אֵל & אֱלֹהִים distinct, and both really primitive, but associates אֵל in treatment with אֵל strong, Participle of √ אול; strong, according to Thes, being derived from meaning be in front of; (different order in Lex. Man., Rob-Ges);

b. אֵל & אֱלֹהִים distinct; former from אול strong; latter plural of אֱלֹהַּ from √ [אלהּ] = () go to and fro in perplexity or fear, hence אֱלֹהַּ fear & object of fear, reverence, revered one; = פחד אל trepide confugere ad Hosea 3:5; אלהים = פחד Genesis 31:42 = מוֺרָא Isaiah 8:13 De^{Gn 1887,48} (compare σέβασμα, post-Biblical Hebrewיִרְאָה NHWB; Aramaic דַּחֲלָא CWB); so De following Fl in De^{Gn ed. 4, 57}, compare MV.

2 אֵל & אֱלֹהִים possibly connected; אֵל = leader, lord, from √ אול be in front; so Nö^{MBAk 1880, 760 f; SBAk 1882, 1175 f.}

3. a. אֵל & אֱלֹהִים connected, & both from a √ אלה (= אלהּ) to which is assigned meaning strong; so Ew^{§ 146 d, 178 b (see also Jahrbücher d. bibl. Wiss. x. 11, Bibl. Theol. ii. 330)};

b. אֵל from √ אלה strong (not אלהּ), & אֱלֹהִים expanded from אֵל, compare plural אֲמָהוֺת from אמה etc.; so Di on Genesis 1:1; he supports meaning strong by reference to phrase יֵשׁ לְאֵל יָדִי Genesis 31:29 and elsewhere;

c. similarly, אֵל, being very early & common Shemitic word, formed plural אלהים, from which singular אֱלוֺהַּ was afterwards inferred, Nes^{Theol. Stud. a. Württ., 1882, 243} (criticized by Nö^{SBA 1.c}.).

4 אֵל (אֱלוֺהַּ, אֱלֹהִים disregarded) from √ אלה stretch out to, reach after (compare preposition אֵל, אֱלִי, also אָלָה swear), God as the one whom men strive to reach, 'das Ziel aller Menschensehnsucht und alles Menschenstrebens,' Lag^{Or. ii. 3; Gn 1882:173 = M 96}. — compare Spurrell^{Hebrew Text of Genesis, App. ii}, where all these views are stated somewhat more fully, & briefly criticized; on the use of אֵל & אֱלֹהַּ in Shemitic languages see, exhaustively, Nö^{MBAk, SBAk, 1.c}.).

Elah

A variation of 'elah; oak; Ela, an Israelite -- Elah.

see HEBREW 'elah

אֵלָ֖א אלא ’ê·lā ’êlā eLaInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts