אָלָה (a.lah)
a.lah
to swear
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb alah carries the dual weight of swearing an oath and invoking a curse. In its basic form, it describes the act of binding oneself by a solemn declaration before God, often with severe consequences attached if the promise is broken. This connection between oath and curse highlights the seriousness of covenant language in the Old Testament, where breaking a word was not merely a social faux pas but a spiritual transgression.
Its usage is relatively rare, appearing in only six verses across books like Judges, I Kings, and Hosea. In Judges 21:1, for instance, the leaders swear an oath that no Israelite will give his daughter to a Benjamite in marriage. The word’s force lies in its binding nature; it is not a casual promise but a ritual act that calls divine witness and judgment upon itself, reflecting the high stakes of communal loyalty and religious fidelity in ancient Israel.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word alah carries a heavy weight, linking our spoken promises directly to divine justice. In ancient Israel, an oath was not a casual assurance but a solemn act that called God as witness. To swear by this verb meant binding oneself with severe consequences if the pledge were broken. This reflects a deep understanding of covenant loyalty, where words held spiritual power and integrity was non-negotiable.
For your faith life, this reminds us that our commitments matter deeply to God. Whether in marriage, business, or simple honesty, our word should reflect the seriousness of standing before Him. It invites us to speak truthfully and keep our promises, knowing that God values fidelity over convenience. This reverence for speech helps build trust within our communities and honors the One who hears every vow.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he will swear an oath2×
- you cursed1×
- to/ put under an oath/ him1×
- they have sworn an oath1×
- cursing1×
- and/ he had put under oath1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אָלָ֛ה2×
- לְ/הַֽאֲלֹת֑/וֹ1×
- וַ/יֹּאֶל֩1×
- אָלֹ֣ה1×
- אָלִית֙1×
- אָל֥וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 14:24
The men of Israel were distressed that day; for Saul had adjured the people, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food until it is evening, and I am avenged of my enemies.” So none of the people tasted food.
Saul uses this term to impose a severe curse on anyone eating before evening, showing how the word can enforce strict communal discipline through fear of divine judgment.
-
Hosea 4:2
There is cursing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery; they break boundaries, and bloodshed causes bloodshed.
The prophet lists cursing alongside other sins like murder and theft, indicating that this word represents a breach of trust and a rejection of God's moral order.
-
I Kings 8:31
“If a man sins against his neighbor, and an oath is laid on him to cause him to swear, and he comes and swears before your altar in this house,
Solomon describes a legal scenario where an oath is laid on someone to swear before the altar, highlighting the word's role in seeking divine truth in disputes.