אַיָּל (ay.yal)
ay.yal
deer
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 9 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Definition
Definition
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word for deer, ayial, appears in Scripture to describe creatures known for their agility and grace. In the Old Testament law, these animals were listed among the clean beasts that God permitted His people to eat (Deuteronomy 12:15). This inclusion highlights God’s provision of diverse food sources and His care for the physical well-being of Israel.
Beyond dietary laws, the deer serves as a vivid metaphor in the poetic books. In the Song of Solomon, lovers compare themselves to these swift animals, evoking images of beauty, freedom, and eager movement (Song of Solomon 2:9). The imagery suggests a relationship marked by vitality and mutual desire, rather than stiffness or duty.
Even in times of distress, the deer offers a picture of hope. Isaiah promises that in the messianic age, the lame will leap like the deer (Isaiah 35:6). This image assures believers that God restores strength to the weak and brings joy where there was once limitation.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ deer<s>3×
- and/ like <the>/ deer2×
- the/ deer1×
- like/ deer1×
- like <the>/ deer1×
- a deer1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/כָ/אַיָּֽל\׃2×
- כָּֽ/אַיָּל֙1×
- כְּ/אַיָּלִים֙1×
- הָֽ/אַיָּלִ֔ים1×
- הָֽ/אַיָּלִ֑ים1×
- הָ֣/אַיָּ֔ל1×
- הָ/אַיָּלִ֖ים1×
- אַיָּ֥ל1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 12:15
Yet you may kill and eat meat within all your gates, after all the desire of your soul, according to Yahweh your God’s blessing which he has given you. The unclean and the clean may eat of it, as of the gazelle and the deer.
This verse classifies the deer as a clean animal, showing how God provided specific dietary guidelines for Israel's health and worship.
-
Song of Solomon 2:9
My beloved is like a roe or a young deer. Behold, he stands behind our wall! He looks in at the windows. He glances through the lattice.
The beloved is compared to a young deer here, using the animal's agility and beauty to describe the lover's eager presence.
-
Isaiah 35:6
Then the lame man will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will sing; for waters will break out in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.
The prophet uses the leaping deer as a powerful symbol of physical healing and restored vitality in God's future kingdom.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the word ayial mean in the Bible?
Is the deer mentioned as a clean or unclean animal?
Why are deer used as metaphors in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (9 verses across 4 books)
Deuteronomy 4 verses
Yet you may kill and eat meat within all your gates, after all the desire of your soul, according to Yahweh your God’s…
Deuteronomy 12:22Even as the gazelle and as the deer is eaten, so you shall eat of it. The unclean and the clean may eat of it alike.
Deuteronomy 14:5the deer, the gazelle, the roebuck, the wild goat, the ibex, the antelope, and the chamois.
Deuteronomy 15:22You shall eat it within your gates. The unclean and the clean shall eat it alike, as the gazelle and as the deer.