אֱלָהּ (e.lah)
e.lah
god
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 64 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Aramaic noun elah functions as the standard word for "god" or "God," serving as the direct counterpart to the Hebrew eloah. It appears primarily in the official correspondence and historical narratives of Ezra and Daniel, reflecting the imperial language used by Jewish exiles and foreign officials alike. The term covers a broad semantic range, referring to pagan deities, the one true God of Israel, or even angels in specific contexts.
A key distinction lies in its grammatical form: elah is typically the emphatic state, meaning it often carries a definite article implicitly. This makes it particularly common when speaking of "the God" of heaven or earth, as seen in Daniel’s confession that God is the source of wisdom and power (Daniel 2:20). In these passages, the word underscores divine authority recognized across cultural boundaries.
Translators usually render elah as "God" when referring to Yahweh and "gods" for other deities, depending on context. The plural form, elahin, appears in Daniel 5:4 and 2:11 when Nebuchadnezzar or his courtiers speak of multiple divine beings. This lexical consistency helps readers track theological themes in the Aramaic sections of Scripture, where God’s sovereignty is asserted over foreign kings and their pantheons.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word elah appears frequently in the Aramaic sections of Ezra and Daniel, serving as the standard term for God or gods in the imperial language of the Persian Empire. It carries a definite sense, often pointing to "the God" whose authority extends over all nations and kings. When Jewish exiles and foreign officials used this word, they were acknowledging a sovereignty that transcended cultural boundaries.
This linguistic choice reminds us that God’s name is not confined to one people or place. In Ezra 5:11, the builders declare themselves servants of "the God of heaven and earth," asserting that the Creator of the cosmos is also the God of their daily lives. This recognition brings comfort, knowing that no political power can override His purposes.
As you read these historical accounts, notice how elah underscores divine authority recognized across cultural boundaries. It invites us to trust in a God who is both immanent and transcendent, active in history yet above it. May this understanding strengthen your faith in His sovereign care over all things.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 64 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- <the>/ God24×
- [the] God of11×
- God/ your9×
- gods5×
- God/ their4×
- to/ [the] God of3×
- to/ god/ your2×
- <obj.>/ [the] God of2×
- true God/ the1×
- to/ own God/ their1×
- to/ gods/ my1×
- gods/ the1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אֱלָהָ֥/א7×
- אֱלָ֣הּ7×
- אֱלָהָ֖/א6×
- אֱלָהָ֣/א5×
- לֶ/אֱלָ֣הּ3×
- אֱלָ֥הּ3×
- לֵֽ/אלָהָ/ךְ֙2×
- אֱלָהָ֤/א2×
- אֱלָהָ֑/ךְ2×
- אֱלָהָ/א֮2×
- אֱלָהָ/א֙2×
- אֱלָהִ֖ין2×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 5:11
Thus they returned us answer, saying, “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth and are building the house that was built these many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and finished.
This verse highlights the builders' declaration of serving "the God of heaven and earth," emphasizing His universal sovereignty over all creation.
-
Ezra 6:12
May the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow all kings and peoples who stretch out their hand to alter this, to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree. Let it be done with all diligence.
Here, elah is used in a decree promising that God will overthrow any king who attempts to destroy His house, showcasing His protective power.
-
Ezra 7:12
Artaxerxes, king of kings, To Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the perfect God of heaven. Now
The Persian king refers to Ezra as the scribe of "the perfect God of heaven," acknowledging the divine authority behind the law Ezra carries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does elah mean in the Bible?
How is elah different from other words for God?
Where does elah appear most frequently?
Every Occurrence (64 verses across 3 books)
Ezra 36 verses
Then work stopped on God’s house which is at Jerusalem. It stopped until the second year of the reign of Darius king of…
Ezra 5:1Now the prophets, Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and…
Ezra 5:2Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak rose up and began to build God’s house which is at…
Ezra 5:5But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they didn’t make them cease until the matter should come to…
Ezra 5:8Be it known to the king that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is being built…
Ezra 5:11Thus they returned us answer, saying, “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth and are building the house…
Ezra 5:12But after our fathers had provoked the God of heaven to wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of…
Ezra 5:13But in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, Cyrus the king made a decree to build this house of God.
Ezra 5:14The gold and silver vessels of God’s house, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem and…
Ezra 5:15He said to him, ‘Take these vessels, go, put them in the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let God’s house be built in…
Ezra 5:16Then the same Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundations of God’s house which is in Jerusalem. Since that time even…
Ezra 5:17Now therefore, if it seems good to the king, let a search be made in the king’s treasure house, which is there at…
Ezra 6:3In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king made a decree: Concerning God’s house at Jerusalem, let the house…
Ezra 6:5Also let the gold and silver vessels of God’s house, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple which is at Jerusalem…
Ezra 6:7Leave the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of…
Ezra 6:8Moreover I make a decree regarding what you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the building of this house of…
Ezra 6:9That which they have need of, including young bulls, rams, and lambs, for burnt offerings to the God of heaven; also…
Ezra 6:10that they may offer sacrifices of pleasant aroma to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and of his…
Ezra 6:12May the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow all kings and peoples who stretch out their hand to alter…
Ezra 6:14The elders of the Jews built and prospered, through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of…
Ezra 6:16The children of Israel, the priests, the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of…
Ezra 6:17They offered at the dedication of this house of God one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a…
Ezra 6:18They set the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God which is at Jerusalem,…
Ezra 7:12Artaxerxes, king of kings, To Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the perfect God of heaven. Now
Ezra 7:14Because you are sent by the king and his seven counselors to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the…
Ezra 7:15and to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counselors have freely offered to the God of Israel, whose…
Ezra 7:16and all the silver and gold that you will find in all the province of Babylon, with the free will offering of the…
Ezra 7:17Therefore you shall with all diligence buy with this money bulls, rams, and lambs with their meal offerings and their…
Ezra 7:18Whatever seems good to you and to your brothers to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, do that according to…
Ezra 7:19The vessels that are given to you for the service of the house of your God, deliver before the God of Jerusalem.
Ezra 7:20Whatever more will be needed for the house of your God, which you may have occasion to give, give it out of the king’s…
Ezra 7:21I, even I, Artaxerxes the king, make a decree to all the treasurers who are beyond the River, that whatever Ezra the…
Ezra 7:23Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be done exactly for the house of the God of heaven; for why should…
Ezra 7:24Also we inform you that it shall not be lawful to impose tribute, custom, or toll on any of the priests, Levites,…
Ezra 7:25You, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God that is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges who may judge all…
Ezra 7:26Whoever will not do the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be executed on him with all diligence,…