Word
אֵל
ʼêl · H413 · Hebrew · 5,514 occurrences
Meanings
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A preposition indicating motion, orientation, or positional relationship toward a person, place, or object — whether literal motion or a static "toward/beside/at" relationship
Examples1 Chronicles 11:1 Then all Israel gathered to David at Hebron and said, 'Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.'
1 Kings 16:18 When Zimri saw that the city was taken, he went into the citadel of the king's house and burned the king's house over himself with fire, and died,
1 Samuel 7:3 Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, 'If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, then remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you, and direct your hearts to the LORD and serve Him alone; and He will save you from the hand of the Philistines.'
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A relational preposition indicating opposition or hostility against someone or something
Examples1 Kings 16:12 So Zimri eliminated all the household of Baasha, in accordance with the word of the LORD which He spoke against Baasha through Jehu the prophet,
Judges 20:30 And the sons of Israel went up against the sons of Benjamin on the third day and lined up against Gibeah as at other times.
Jeremiah 49:20 Therefore hear the plan of the LORD which He has planned against Edom, and His purposes which He has in mind against the inhabitants of Teman: they will certainly drag them off, even the little ones of the flock; He will certainly make their pasture desolate because of them.
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A preposition indicating reference or concern about a matter or person
1 Samuel 1:27 — “‘For this boy I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my request which I asked of Him.’” (concerning)
2 Kings 19:20 — “Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent word to Hezekiah, saying, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of Israel says: “Because you have prayed to Me about Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard you.”’” (concerning)
ExamplesJeremiah 50:1 The word which the LORD spoke concerning Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans, through Jeremiah the prophet:
How it’s used In 1 role
This word is very common, so only how often it takes each role is shown.
- After prepositions
- 12
MACULA Greek Linguistic Datasets, available at https://github.com/Clear-Bible/macula-greek/, licensed CC BY 4.0; MACULA Hebrew Linguistic Datasets © 2022-2024 by Biblica, Inc., CC BY 4.0. Westminster Leningrad Codex (tanach.us). OpenScriptures Hebrew Bible morphology (hb.openscriptures.org), CC BY 4.0.
In the other Testament 3 words
- πρός prós · G4314 · to, against
- אֵל (ʼêl, H413) and πρός (prós, G4314) are both primary directional or relational prepositions in their respective languages, denoting motion or orientation toward a goal, relation to a person or thing, and a wide range of contextual meanings including purpose, location and temporal reference. πρός is the standard Septuagint rendering of אֵל, reflecting the functional overlap in prepositional meaning.
- εἰς eis · G1519 · to, toward, in the direction of
- אֵל (ʼêl, H413) and εἰς (eis, G1519) are both primary directional or relational prepositions that mark destination, motion toward a goal, and locational or temporal endpoints. Hebrew אֵל indicates direction 'to, toward, into' and extends to purpose, advantage and a wide range of relational meanings (against, concerning, among and so on), while Greek εἰς likewise marks the point reached or entered in spatial, temporal and figurative senses, and also extends to purpose and result. They share the core function of expressing directional and goal-oriented relations in their respective biblical languages.
- ἐπί epí · G1909 · on, upon, at
- Both אֵל (ʼêl, H413) and ἐπί (epí, G1909) are highly versatile prepositions governing spatial, temporal and abstract relations in their respective languages. Hebrew אֵל primarily indicates direction or goal ('to, toward, unto') across physical, relational and grammatical contexts, while Greek ἐπί denotes superimposition and distribution ('upon, over, at') with similarly broad application to place, time and figurative use. They overlap in range as the standard prepositions for expressing directional and locative relationships, despite differing core spatial images (goal-orientation versus superimposition).
Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon H413. el אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), in poetry אֱלֵי (compare עֲדֵי עֲלֵי,),…
H413. el
אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), in poetry אֱלֵי (compare עֲדֵי עֲלֵי,), but only in Job ( 1 Samuel 3:22; 1 Samuel 5:26; 1Sa 15:22; 1 Samuel 29:19), with suffix אֵלַיִךְ אֵלֶיךָ, אֵלַי,, etc. אֲלֵיכֶם אֵלֵינוּ, & (5 t.) אֲלֵיהֶם אֲלֵכֶם, & אֲלֵהֶם (both very often); once אֵלֵימוֺ Psa 2:5, אֲלֵיהֶן, once אֲלֵהֶן Exo 1:19 (Assyrian ilî, Arabic ),
preposition denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).
1 of motion to or unto a person or place Gen 2:19, Gen 2:22; Gen 3:19; Gen 8:9; Gen 14:22; Gen 16:9 etc., after every kind of verb expressing motion (יָצָא הָלַךְ, בּוֺא, etc.) So with נָתַן to give (though ל is here more common) Gen 21:14; Gen 35:4; Deu 13:2 +; מָכַר to sell Deut 37:36, etc. Metaph. Jer 2:19 אֵלַיִךְ פַחְדָּתִי וְלֹא and that my fear (cometh) not unto thee (compare Job 31:23). — Peculiarly Gen 6:16 אַמָּה אֶל unto the length of a cubit, etc. And metaphor in the phrase אֶלֿ(אֱלֵיֿ)גִּיל unto exultation Hos 9:11; Job 3:22. Once, exceptionally (si vera 1.) = even: Job 5:5 יִקָּחֵהוּ וְאֶלמִֿצִּגִּים and even out of thorns he taketh it. Sometimes pregnant, as Isa 66:17; Jer 41:7 אֶל זָנָה commit whoredom (by going) to Num 25:1; Eze 16:26, Eze 16:28, Eze 16:29; אֶל דָּרֵשׁ seek (by resorting) to one (that is, for oracles) Deu 18:11; Isa 8:19; Isa 11:10 +; אֶל חָבַר join together (& come) unto Gen 14:3; אֶל הִשְׁכִּים rise early (and go) to Gen 19:27; Gen 24:11 אֶל הִבְרִיח made to kneel down at; Gen 47:18 אֶל תַּם i.e. has been made over to; אֶל מָּחַד to come in fear to Hos 3:5; Mic 7:17. Opposite is מִן, as אֶלהַֿקָּצֶה מִןהַֿקָּצֶה from end to end Exo 26:28; אֶלמֶּֿה מִמֶּה Ezr 9:11 (synonym 2Ki 21:16 לָפֶה מֶּה). And of time (rare) אֶלעֵֿת מֵעֵת 1Ch 9:25; אֶליֿוֺם מִיּוֺם Num 30:15 (P) 1Ch 16:23 (in the || Psa 96:2 לְיוֺם מִיּוֺם).
2 Where the limit is actually entered, into, Gen 6:18 and thou shalt enter into the ark Gen 7:1; Gen 19:3; Gen 41:21; Gen 42:17; & so after verbs of throwing, casting, putting Gen 37:22 (הִשְׁלִיךְ) Gen 39:20 הַסֹּהַר אֶלבֵּֿית וַיִּתְּנֵהוּ put him into the prison house, Exo 28:30 (Lev 8:8) Deu 23:25; so after קָבַר to bury Gen 23:19; Gen 25:9; Gen 49:29; שָׂחַט to squeeze Gen 40:11; מָחָה to blot out Num 5:23, etc.; metaphor Gen 6:6 was pained into or unto his heart, הֵשִׁיב אֶללֵֿב, שָׂם to place, bring. into ( = lay to) heart Deu 4:39; 2Sa 19:20 and elsewhere In connection with a number or multitude into which something enters, in among: 1Sa 10:22 behold he had hid himself אֶלהַֿכֵּלִים in among the baggage, Jer 4:3 sow not אֶלקֹֿצִים in among thorns.
3 Of direction towards anything: (a) of physical acts or states, as Gen 30:40 אֶל הַצּאֹן מְּנֵי נָתַן, Gen 39:7 אֶל עֵינָיו נָשָׂא, Exo 25:20; Num 6:26, אֶל פָנָיו נָשָׂא (2Ki 9:32 differently), 2Ki 24:1 אֶל מָּנָיו שָׁת, Jos 8:18; Psa 28:2; 1Ki 8:29-30, (to pray towards) 1Ki 8:38; pregnantly אֶל חָרֵד to tremble (turning) to Gen 42:28, אֶל תָּמַהּ to, wonder (turning) towards Gen 43:33; Isa 13:8, אֶל מָּחַד Jer 36:16: without a verb אֶלמָּֿנִים מָּנִים face to face Gen 32:31 +; אֶלמֶּֿה מֶּה Num 12:8; אֵלַי כִּיאֵֿינֶנּוּ Gen 31:5 the face of Laban, that he is not toward me; י ׳עֵינֵי ׳אֶלפֿ the eyes of ׳י are towards . . . Psa 34:16 (compare Psa 33:18). (b) with words such as אָמַרto say to Gen 3:1 + often, דִּבֶּר Gen 8:15 + often, קָרָא Gen 19:5, הִחְמַּלֵּל Gen 20:17 etc., שָׁמַע to hearken to Gen 16:11, הִלֵּל to praise to Gen 12:15 (compare Eze 13:19 אֶל חִלֵּל to profane to), הִזְכִּיר Eze 40:14. (c) with words expressing the direction of the mind, as קִוָּה to wait Psa 27:14 +; יִחַל to hope Isa 51:5; אֶל נֶפֶשׁ נָשָׂא to lift up the soul (i.e. set the desire) towards Deu 24:15; Psa 25:1; שָׁת אֶל, לֵב שָׂם to set the heart (mind) to Exo 9:21 and elsewhere; אֶל לָמַד to accustom oneself to Jer 10:2; אֶל חָרֵד to shew fear towards 2Ki 4:13; Gen 43:30; Deu 28:32 and thy eyes אֲלֵיהֶם כָּלוֺת failing (with longing) towards them, Lam 4:17; Isa 63:15; 2Sa 3:8; 1Ki 14:13; Psa 40:6; alone, as predicate, directed or disposed towards, Gen 3:16; Gen 4:7; 2Ki 6:11 who of ours is towards (i.e. favours) the king of Syria? Hos 3:3 אֵלָֽיִח׃ וְגַםאֲֿנִי Eze 36:9; Hag 2:17; Jer 15:1 (אֶל נַפְשִׁי אֵין).
4 Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against: Gen 4:8 ק ׳וַיָּקָם אֶלהֶֿבֶלand Cain rose up against Abel (so 1Sa 24:8) 1Sa 22:12; Exo 14:5; Num 32:14; with נִקְבַּץ Jos 10:6, הָלַךְ Jdg 1:10; Jdg 20:30; with בָּא of calamity, etc., coming to or upon any one Gen 42:21; Jdg 9:57; 1Sa 2:34; 1Ki 14:10 +; Isa 2:4; Isa 3:8 their tongue and doings are ׳אֶליֿ Isa 32:6 (אֶל לְדַבֵּר) Hos 7:15 (compare Nah 1:9) Hos 12:5 אֶלמַֿלְאָךְ וַיָּשַׂר and he strove against the angel. Here also belongs in particular the phrase ֗֗֗ אֶל הִנְנִי Behold I am against (thee, you, etc.) Nahum 2:14; Nah 3:5; Jer 21:13 (Jer 23:30-32 על) Jer 50:31; Jer 51:25; Eze 13:8, Eze 13:20; Eze 21:8; Eze 29:10; Eze 30:22; Eze 34:10; Eze 35:3; Eze 38:3; Eze 39:1 (Eze 5:8; Eze 26:3; Eze 28:22; Eze 29:3 על: on Eze 36:9 see above)
5 Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to, as Lev 18:18 thou shalt not take אֲחוֺתָהּ אֶל אִשָּׁה a woman to, in addition to, her sister, Jos 13:22 (|| Num 31:8 על); 1Sa 14:34 at eat אֶלהַֿחָם together with the blood (1Sa 14:32 & Generally עַל); 1Ki 10:7 אֶל הוֺסִיף (generally עַל); Jer 25:26; Eze 7:26 שְׁמוּעָה אֶל שְׁמוּעָה || (עלׅ; Eze 44:7; Lam 3:41 let us lift up אֶלכַּֿמָּ֑יִם לְבָבֵנוּ our hearts together with the hands (compare , Qor 4:2; WAG ii. § 51 c).
6 Metaphor in regard to, concerning, on account of : thus הִתְאַבֵּל to mourn concerning 1Sa 15:35; הִנָּחֵם to repent as regards 2Sa 24:16; דָּרַשׁ to inquire 1Ki 14:5 הִתְמַּלֵּל to pray with regard to 1Sa 1:27; 2Ki 19:20; צָעַק to cry 2Ki 8:3 (2Ki 8:5 על); נֶעֳצַב be pained 1Sa 20:34; נִחַם to comfort 2Sa 10:2; more Generally 1Ki 16:13; 1Ki 21:22; אֶלנֶֿפֶשׁ on account of, for the sake of, one's life 1Ki 19:3; 2Ki 7:7 (Gen 19:17 על). (עַל is more common in this sense.) And specially with verbs of saying, narrating, telling, etc. with regard to, as אָמַר Gen 20:2; Isa 29:22; Isa 37:21, Isa 37:33 +; דִּבֶּר 2Sa 7:19; Jer 40:16 b; סִמֵּר Psa 2:7; Psa 69:27; צִוָּה Isa 23:11; שָׁמַע Eze 19:4; אֶל הַשְּׁמוּעָה the report regarding. . . 1Sa 4:19. (Not frequently, ext. in the case of אָמַר.)
7 Of rule or standard, according to (rare): ֗֗֗ אֶלמִּֿי according to the command of, Jos 15:13; Jos 17:4; Jos 21:3 (generally עַלמִּֿי); אֶלנָֿבוֺן according to what is fixed = of a certainty 1Sa 23:23; 1Sa 26:4 (see Dr): perhaps Psa 5:1; Psa 80:1 (Psa 45:1 עַל).
8 Expressing presence at a spot, against; at, by, not merely after verbs expressing or implying motion (compare 1, Gen 24:11), as Jos 11:5 and they came and encamped together מֵרוֺם אֶלמֵֿי at the waters of Merom, 1Sa 5:4 cut off (and fallen) on to the threshold, 2Sa 2:23 and elsewhere and smote him אֶלהַֿחֹמֶשׁ in or on the belly, Deu 33:28; Exo 29:12; Lev 4:7; but also in other cases, as Jos 5:3 and he circumcised the Israelites אֶל against, at the hill of the foreskins, Jos 22:11 have built an altar הַיַּרְדֵּן גְּלִילוֺת אֶל by the districts of Jordan, Jdg 12:6; 2Sa 3:32, 2Sa 14:30 & 2Sa 18:4 אֶליַֿד at the side of (elsewhere יַד עַל לְיַד,), 1Ki 13:20 as they were sitting אֶלהַֿשֻּׁלְחָן at the table, 2Ki 11:14 אֶלהַֿמֶּלֶךְ by the king, Jer 41:12 and found him by the great waters, etc., Jer 46:10 מְּרָת אֶלנְֿהַר by the Euphrates, Eze 3:15; Eze 11:11; Eze 17:8; Eze 31:7; Eze 40:18; Eze 43:3; Eze 47:7; Eze 48:12.
9 Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to: thus אֶלאַֿחֲרֵי 2Sa 5:23; 2Ki 9:18-19, אֶלאַֿחֲרַי סֹב turn to behind me, Zec 6:5 (where אֶל is pleonastic, probably due to clerical error; note אל יצא before & after); אֶלבֵּֿין in between Eze 31:10, Eze 31:14; אֵלבֵּֿינוֺת similarly Eze 10:2; לְ ׳אֶלמִֿבֵּית to (the part) within (see below בַּיִת), in within Lev 16:15; 2Ki 11:15 || have her forth in within the ranks; אֶלמֿוּל see מוּל; לְ ׳אֶלמִֿנֶּגֶב unto the south of Jos 15:3; לְ ׳אֶלמִֿחוּץ to the outside of Lev 4:12, Lev 4:21 +; אֶלנֹֿכַח to the front of Num 19:4; אֶלתַּֿחַת Jdg 6:19; 1Ki 8:6 and elsewhere (see below תַּחַת).
Note I. — In Gen 20:13 וג אִמְרִילִֿי ׳שָׁמָּה נָבוֺא אֲשֶׁר אֶלכָּֿלהַֿמָּקוֺם; Num 33:54 וג ׳אֶלאֲֿשֶׁר; Pro 17:8 (compare Deu 16:6); — אֶל appears to be used by a species of attraction; the idea of motion involved in the relative clause influencing illogically the beginning of the sentence and causing אֶל to be used instead of בְּ. In Deu 31:14 אֵלֵיהֶם, as pointed, can only be from אַיִל III or IV (q. v.); if the word be taken as the Pronoun with suffix (Hi Ke), אֲלֵיהֶם must be read.
Note 2. — There is a tendency in Hebrew, especially manifest in Samuel Kings Jeremiah Ezekiel, to use אֶל in the sense of עַל; sometimes אֶל being used exceptionally in a phrase or construction which regularly, and in accusative with analogy, has עַל; sometimes, the two prepositions interchanging, apparently without discrimination, in the same or parallel sentences. Thus (a) Jos 5:14 אֶלמָּֿנָיו וִיִּמֹּל; 1Sa 13:13 י ׳הֵקִים אֶליִֿשְׂרָאֵל אֶתמַֿמְלַכְתְּךָ; 1Sa 14:34 (see below 5); 1Sa 17:3 אֶלהָֿהָר עֹמְדִים (contractee עַל Deu 11:29); Deu 19:16; 2Sa 6:3; 2Sa 20:23 (contracted 2Sa 8:16) 1Ki 13:29; 1Ki 18:46 (contracted 2Ki 3:15 על) Jer 35:15; Eze 7:18. (b) Jdg 6:37 and upon (עַל) all the earth let there be dryness, Jdg 6:39 let there be dryness on (אֶל) the fleece; 1Sa 14:10 come up עָלֵינוּ, 1Sa 14:12 come up אֵלֵינוּ; 1Sa 16:23 & 16; 16:13 & 18:10 אֶל צָלַח, 1Sa 10:6 and elsewhere עַל צָלַח; 1Sa 25:17 evil is determined כָּלבֵּֿיתוֺ וְעַל אֶלאֲֿדֹנֵינוּ; 1Sa 25:25; 1Sa 27:10; 2Sa 2:9 וְ֗֗֗עַל וְ֗֗֗עַל וְ֗֗֗עַל וְ֗֗֗אֶל וְ֗֗֗אֶל אֶל וַיַּמְלִכֵהוּ; 2Sa 3:29 ֗֗֗ וְאֶל ֗֗֗ עַל יָחֻלוּ 2Ki 8:3 & 5; 2Ki 9:6 & 3; Jer 19:15; Jer 25:2; Jer 26:15 ye lay innocent blood הַזּאֹת וְאֶלהָֿעִיר עֲלֵיכֶם; Jer 27:19; Jer 28:8; Jer 33:14; Jer 34:7; Jer 36:31; Jer 37:13-14, Eze 18:6, Eze 18:11 & 15; Eze 21:12 etc. Psa 79:6 (Jer 10:25 על twice). It is probably that this interchange, at least in many cases, is not original, but due to transcribers.
Conversely, though not with the same frequency, עַל occurs where analogy would lead us to expect אֶל, or even in juxtaposition with אֶל, as 1Sa 1:10 עַל הִתְמַּלֵּל to pray to (1Sa 1:26 אֶל); 1Sa 1:13; 1Sa 25:25 אֶלעַ֗֗֗ל; 1Ki 20:43 עַלבֵּֿיתוֺ וַיֵּלֶךְ (<ref>1Ki
אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), in poetry אֱלֵי (compare עֲדֵי עֲלֵי,), but only in Job ( 1 Samuel 3:22; 1 Samuel 5:26; 1Sa 15:22; 1 Samuel 29:19), with suffix אֵלַיִךְ אֵלֶיךָ, אֵלַי,, etc. אֲלֵיכֶם אֵלֵינוּ, & (5 t.) אֲלֵיהֶם אֲלֵכֶם, & אֲלֵהֶם (both very often); once אֵלֵימוֺ Psa 2:5, אֲלֵיהֶן, once אֲלֵהֶן Exo 1:19 (Assyrian ilî, Arabic ),
preposition denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).
1 of motion to or unto a person or place Gen 2:19, Gen 2:22; Gen 3:19; Gen 8:9; Gen 14:22; Gen 16:9 etc., after every kind of verb expressing motion (יָצָא הָלַךְ, בּוֺא, etc.) So with נָתַן to give (though ל is here more common) Gen 21:14; Gen 35:4; Deu 13:2 +; מָכַר to sell Deut 37:36, etc. Metaph. Jer 2:19 אֵלַיִךְ פַחְדָּתִי וְלֹא and that my fear (cometh) not unto thee (compare Job 31:23). — Peculiarly Gen 6:16 אַמָּה אֶל unto the length of a cubit, etc. And metaphor in the phrase אֶלֿ(אֱלֵיֿ)גִּיל unto exultation Hos 9:11; Job 3:22. Once, exceptionally (si vera 1.) = even: Job 5:5 יִקָּחֵהוּ וְאֶלמִֿצִּגִּים and even out of thorns he taketh it. Sometimes pregnant, as Isa 66:17; Jer 41:7 אֶל זָנָה commit whoredom (by going) to Num 25:1; Eze 16:26, Eze 16:28, Eze 16:29; אֶל דָּרֵשׁ seek (by resorting) to one (that is, for oracles) Deu 18:11; Isa 8:19; Isa 11:10 +; אֶל חָבַר join together (& come) unto Gen 14:3; אֶל הִשְׁכִּים rise early (and go) to Gen 19:27; Gen 24:11 אֶל הִבְרִיח made to kneel down at; Gen 47:18 אֶל תַּם i.e. has been made over to; אֶל מָּחַד to come in fear to Hos 3:5; Mic 7:17. Opposite is מִן, as אֶלהַֿקָּצֶה מִןהַֿקָּצֶה from end to end Exo 26:28; אֶלמֶּֿה מִמֶּה Ezr 9:11 (synonym 2Ki 21:16 לָפֶה מֶּה). And of time (rare) אֶלעֵֿת מֵעֵת 1Ch 9:25; אֶליֿוֺם מִיּוֺם Num 30:15 (P) 1Ch 16:23 (in the || Psa 96:2 לְיוֺם מִיּוֺם).
2 Where the limit is actually entered, into, Gen 6:18 and thou shalt enter into the ark Gen 7:1; Gen 19:3; Gen 41:21; Gen 42:17; & so after verbs of throwing, casting, putting Gen 37:22 (הִשְׁלִיךְ) Gen 39:20 הַסֹּהַר אֶלבֵּֿית וַיִּתְּנֵהוּ put him into the prison house, Exo 28:30 (Lev 8:8) Deu 23:25; so after קָבַר to bury Gen 23:19; Gen 25:9; Gen 49:29; שָׂחַט to squeeze Gen 40:11; מָחָה to blot out Num 5:23, etc.; metaphor Gen 6:6 was pained into or unto his heart, הֵשִׁיב אֶללֵֿב, שָׂם to place, bring. into ( = lay to) heart Deu 4:39; 2Sa 19:20 and elsewhere In connection with a number or multitude into which something enters, in among: 1Sa 10:22 behold he had hid himself אֶלהַֿכֵּלִים in among the baggage, Jer 4:3 sow not אֶלקֹֿצִים in among thorns.
3 Of direction towards anything: (a) of physical acts or states, as Gen 30:40 אֶל הַצּאֹן מְּנֵי נָתַן, Gen 39:7 אֶל עֵינָיו נָשָׂא, Exo 25:20; Num 6:26, אֶל פָנָיו נָשָׂא (2Ki 9:32 differently), 2Ki 24:1 אֶל מָּנָיו שָׁת, Jos 8:18; Psa 28:2; 1Ki 8:29-30, (to pray towards) 1Ki 8:38; pregnantly אֶל חָרֵד to tremble (turning) to Gen 42:28, אֶל תָּמַהּ to, wonder (turning) towards Gen 43:33; Isa 13:8, אֶל מָּחַד Jer 36:16: without a verb אֶלמָּֿנִים מָּנִים face to face Gen 32:31 +; אֶלמֶּֿה מֶּה Num 12:8; אֵלַי כִּיאֵֿינֶנּוּ Gen 31:5 the face of Laban, that he is not toward me; י ׳עֵינֵי ׳אֶלפֿ the eyes of ׳י are towards . . . Psa 34:16 (compare Psa 33:18). (b) with words such as אָמַרto say to Gen 3:1 + often, דִּבֶּר Gen 8:15 + often, קָרָא Gen 19:5, הִחְמַּלֵּל Gen 20:17 etc., שָׁמַע to hearken to Gen 16:11, הִלֵּל to praise to Gen 12:15 (compare Eze 13:19 אֶל חִלֵּל to profane to), הִזְכִּיר Eze 40:14. (c) with words expressing the direction of the mind, as קִוָּה to wait Psa 27:14 +; יִחַל to hope Isa 51:5; אֶל נֶפֶשׁ נָשָׂא to lift up the soul (i.e. set the desire) towards Deu 24:15; Psa 25:1; שָׁת אֶל, לֵב שָׂם to set the heart (mind) to Exo 9:21 and elsewhere; אֶל לָמַד to accustom oneself to Jer 10:2; אֶל חָרֵד to shew fear towards 2Ki 4:13; Gen 43:30; Deu 28:32 and thy eyes אֲלֵיהֶם כָּלוֺת failing (with longing) towards them, Lam 4:17; Isa 63:15; 2Sa 3:8; 1Ki 14:13; Psa 40:6; alone, as predicate, directed or disposed towards, Gen 3:16; Gen 4:7; 2Ki 6:11 who of ours is towards (i.e. favours) the king of Syria? Hos 3:3 אֵלָֽיִח׃ וְגַםאֲֿנִי Eze 36:9; Hag 2:17; Jer 15:1 (אֶל נַפְשִׁי אֵין).
4 Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against: Gen 4:8 ק ׳וַיָּקָם אֶלהֶֿבֶלand Cain rose up against Abel (so 1Sa 24:8) 1Sa 22:12; Exo 14:5; Num 32:14; with נִקְבַּץ Jos 10:6, הָלַךְ Jdg 1:10; Jdg 20:30; with בָּא of calamity, etc., coming to or upon any one Gen 42:21; Jdg 9:57; 1Sa 2:34; 1Ki 14:10 +; Isa 2:4; Isa 3:8 their tongue and doings are ׳אֶליֿ Isa 32:6 (אֶל לְדַבֵּר) Hos 7:15 (compare Nah 1:9) Hos 12:5 אֶלמַֿלְאָךְ וַיָּשַׂר and he strove against the angel. Here also belongs in particular the phrase ֗֗֗ אֶל הִנְנִי Behold I am against (thee, you, etc.) Nahum 2:14; Nah 3:5; Jer 21:13 (Jer 23:30-32 על) Jer 50:31; Jer 51:25; Eze 13:8, Eze 13:20; Eze 21:8; Eze 29:10; Eze 30:22; Eze 34:10; Eze 35:3; Eze 38:3; Eze 39:1 (Eze 5:8; Eze 26:3; Eze 28:22; Eze 29:3 על: on Eze 36:9 see above)
5 Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to, as Lev 18:18 thou shalt not take אֲחוֺתָהּ אֶל אִשָּׁה a woman to, in addition to, her sister, Jos 13:22 (|| Num 31:8 על); 1Sa 14:34 at eat אֶלהַֿחָם together with the blood (1Sa 14:32 & Generally עַל); 1Ki 10:7 אֶל הוֺסִיף (generally עַל); Jer 25:26; Eze 7:26 שְׁמוּעָה אֶל שְׁמוּעָה || (עלׅ; Eze 44:7; Lam 3:41 let us lift up אֶלכַּֿמָּ֑יִם לְבָבֵנוּ our hearts together with the hands (compare , Qor 4:2; WAG ii. § 51 c).
6 Metaphor in regard to, concerning, on account of : thus הִתְאַבֵּל to mourn concerning 1Sa 15:35; הִנָּחֵם to repent as regards 2Sa 24:16; דָּרַשׁ to inquire 1Ki 14:5 הִתְמַּלֵּל to pray with regard to 1Sa 1:27; 2Ki 19:20; צָעַק to cry 2Ki 8:3 (2Ki 8:5 על); נֶעֳצַב be pained 1Sa 20:34; נִחַם to comfort 2Sa 10:2; more Generally 1Ki 16:13; 1Ki 21:22; אֶלנֶֿפֶשׁ on account of, for the sake of, one's life 1Ki 19:3; 2Ki 7:7 (Gen 19:17 על). (עַל is more common in this sense.) And specially with verbs of saying, narrating, telling, etc. with regard to, as אָמַר Gen 20:2; Isa 29:22; Isa 37:21, Isa 37:33 +; דִּבֶּר 2Sa 7:19; Jer 40:16 b; סִמֵּר Psa 2:7; Psa 69:27; צִוָּה Isa 23:11; שָׁמַע Eze 19:4; אֶל הַשְּׁמוּעָה the report regarding. . . 1Sa 4:19. (Not frequently, ext. in the case of אָמַר.)
7 Of rule or standard, according to (rare): ֗֗֗ אֶלמִּֿי according to the command of, Jos 15:13; Jos 17:4; Jos 21:3 (generally עַלמִּֿי); אֶלנָֿבוֺן according to what is fixed = of a certainty 1Sa 23:23; 1Sa 26:4 (see Dr): perhaps Psa 5:1; Psa 80:1 (Psa 45:1 עַל).
8 Expressing presence at a spot, against; at, by, not merely after verbs expressing or implying motion (compare 1, Gen 24:11), as Jos 11:5 and they came and encamped together מֵרוֺם אֶלמֵֿי at the waters of Merom, 1Sa 5:4 cut off (and fallen) on to the threshold, 2Sa 2:23 and elsewhere and smote him אֶלהַֿחֹמֶשׁ in or on the belly, Deu 33:28; Exo 29:12; Lev 4:7; but also in other cases, as Jos 5:3 and he circumcised the Israelites אֶל against, at the hill of the foreskins, Jos 22:11 have built an altar הַיַּרְדֵּן גְּלִילוֺת אֶל by the districts of Jordan, Jdg 12:6; 2Sa 3:32, 2Sa 14:30 & 2Sa 18:4 אֶליַֿד at the side of (elsewhere יַד עַל לְיַד,), 1Ki 13:20 as they were sitting אֶלהַֿשֻּׁלְחָן at the table, 2Ki 11:14 אֶלהַֿמֶּלֶךְ by the king, Jer 41:12 and found him by the great waters, etc., Jer 46:10 מְּרָת אֶלנְֿהַר by the Euphrates, Eze 3:15; Eze 11:11; Eze 17:8; Eze 31:7; Eze 40:18; Eze 43:3; Eze 47:7; Eze 48:12.
9 Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to: thus אֶלאַֿחֲרֵי 2Sa 5:23; 2Ki 9:18-19, אֶלאַֿחֲרַי סֹב turn to behind me, Zec 6:5 (where אֶל is pleonastic, probably due to clerical error; note אל יצא before & after); אֶלבֵּֿין in between Eze 31:10, Eze 31:14; אֵלבֵּֿינוֺת similarly Eze 10:2; לְ ׳אֶלמִֿבֵּית to (the part) within (see below בַּיִת), in within Lev 16:15; 2Ki 11:15 || have her forth in within the ranks; אֶלמֿוּל see מוּל; לְ ׳אֶלמִֿנֶּגֶב unto the south of Jos 15:3; לְ ׳אֶלמִֿחוּץ to the outside of Lev 4:12, Lev 4:21 +; אֶלנֹֿכַח to the front of Num 19:4; אֶלתַּֿחַת Jdg 6:19; 1Ki 8:6 and elsewhere (see below תַּחַת).
Note I. — In Gen 20:13 וג אִמְרִילִֿי ׳שָׁמָּה נָבוֺא אֲשֶׁר אֶלכָּֿלהַֿמָּקוֺם; Num 33:54 וג ׳אֶלאֲֿשֶׁר; Pro 17:8 (compare Deu 16:6); — אֶל appears to be used by a species of attraction; the idea of motion involved in the relative clause influencing illogically the beginning of the sentence and causing אֶל to be used instead of בְּ. In Deu 31:14 אֵלֵיהֶם, as pointed, can only be from אַיִל III or IV (q. v.); if the word be taken as the Pronoun with suffix (Hi Ke), אֲלֵיהֶם must be read.
Note 2. — There is a tendency in Hebrew, especially manifest in Samuel Kings Jeremiah Ezekiel, to use אֶל in the sense of עַל; sometimes אֶל being used exceptionally in a phrase or construction which regularly, and in accusative with analogy, has עַל; sometimes, the two prepositions interchanging, apparently without discrimination, in the same or parallel sentences. Thus (a) Jos 5:14 אֶלמָּֿנָיו וִיִּמֹּל; 1Sa 13:13 י ׳הֵקִים אֶליִֿשְׂרָאֵל אֶתמַֿמְלַכְתְּךָ; 1Sa 14:34 (see below 5); 1Sa 17:3 אֶלהָֿהָר עֹמְדִים (contractee עַל Deu 11:29); Deu 19:16; 2Sa 6:3; 2Sa 20:23 (contracted 2Sa 8:16) 1Ki 13:29; 1Ki 18:46 (contracted 2Ki 3:15 על) Jer 35:15; Eze 7:18. (b) Jdg 6:37 and upon (עַל) all the earth let there be dryness, Jdg 6:39 let there be dryness on (אֶל) the fleece; 1Sa 14:10 come up עָלֵינוּ, 1Sa 14:12 come up אֵלֵינוּ; 1Sa 16:23 & 16; 16:13 & 18:10 אֶל צָלַח, 1Sa 10:6 and elsewhere עַל צָלַח; 1Sa 25:17 evil is determined כָּלבֵּֿיתוֺ וְעַל אֶלאֲֿדֹנֵינוּ; 1Sa 25:25; 1Sa 27:10; 2Sa 2:9 וְ֗֗֗עַל וְ֗֗֗עַל וְ֗֗֗עַל וְ֗֗֗אֶל וְ֗֗֗אֶל אֶל וַיַּמְלִכֵהוּ; 2Sa 3:29 ֗֗֗ וְאֶל ֗֗֗ עַל יָחֻלוּ 2Ki 8:3 & 5; 2Ki 9:6 & 3; Jer 19:15; Jer 25:2; Jer 26:15 ye lay innocent blood הַזּאֹת וְאֶלהָֿעִיר עֲלֵיכֶם; Jer 27:19; Jer 28:8; Jer 33:14; Jer 34:7; Jer 36:31; Jer 37:13-14, Eze 18:6, Eze 18:11 & 15; Eze 21:12 etc. Psa 79:6 (Jer 10:25 על twice). It is probably that this interchange, at least in many cases, is not original, but due to transcribers.
Conversely, though not with the same frequency, עַל occurs where analogy would lead us to expect אֶל, or even in juxtaposition with אֶל, as 1Sa 1:10 עַל הִתְמַּלֵּל to pray to (1Sa 1:26 אֶל); 1Sa 1:13; 1Sa 25:25 אֶלעַ֗֗֗ל; 1Ki 20:43 עַלבֵּֿיתוֺ וַיֵּלֶךְ (<ref>1Ki
Brown, Driver and Briggs, A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (1906), public domain
Sources
eRhema lexical overview, based on the UBS Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew and the UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament (© United Bible Societies, CC BY-SA 4.0) and Macula Hebrew and Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0); released under CC BY-SA 4.0
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