אַלָּה (al.lah)
al.lah
oak
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun allah refers to a large, sturdy tree, generally identified as either an oak or a terebinth. These species are notable for their immense size and longevity, often becoming landmark features in the landscape that provide ample shade and shelter.
In Scripture, this word appears only once, in Joshua 24:26. There, Joshua records his covenant with the people by setting up a large stone under the allah near the sanctuary at Shechem. The tree’s enduring nature serves as a fitting witness to the solemn agreement made there.
Translators typically choose "oak" for this single occurrence, though the Hebrew term can encompass both oaks and terebinths depending on the region. Its solitary usage highlights how significant natural landmarks were in biblical times for marking important religious and historical events.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word allah points to a massive, long-lived tree—often identified as an oak or terebinth—that served as a natural landmark in ancient Israel. Its thick trunk and wide canopy offered reliable shade and shelter, making it a stable feature in the landscape. Because these trees live for centuries, they became enduring witnesses to events that shaped the community’s history.
In Joshua 24:26, Joshua sets up a great stone under this tree at Shechem to mark his covenant with the people. The location was not chosen by accident; the tree’s strength and permanence provided a fitting backdrop for a solemn agreement. It reminds us that God’s promises are as steady and enduring as the oldest trees in the land.
When you read about such landmarks, consider how God uses the physical world to anchor spiritual truths. The stability of the oak reflects the reliability of God’s word. You can find comfort knowing that the same God who planted these ancient trees is faithful to His promises today.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ oak1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הָֽ/אַלָּ֔ה1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 24:26
Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God; and he took a great stone, and set it up there under the oak that was by the sanctuary of Yahweh.
This verse uses the tree as a permanent witness to Joshua’s covenant, linking the stone and the oak to the recorded law.