אֱלוּל (e.lul)
e.lul
Elul
N:N--TQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--T
Word Overview
The word Elul is the name of the sixth month in the Hebrew calendar, typically falling during August and September. It appears only once in the Old Testament, specifically in Nehemiah 6:15. In that context, it marks the time when the wall of Jerusalem was completed, serving as a chronological marker for a significant moment in the city’s restoration.
While some lexical sources suggest an etymological link to a root meaning "nothingness," this interpretation is debated and not universally accepted by scholars. The primary function of the word in Scripture is simply to identify the month itself. Its brevity in the biblical text means it carries no inherent theological weight beyond its role in dating historical events.
Today, Elul holds deep significance in Jewish tradition as a month of introspection and preparation for the High Holy Days. However, within the Bible itself, it is mentioned only to anchor the narrative of Nehemiah’s work in time. The text does not elaborate on spiritual practices associated with the month, leaving its later religious associations outside the scope of the biblical record.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word Elul appears only once in the Old Testament, anchoring the completion of Jerusalem’s wall to a specific moment in time. In Nehemiah 6:15, it marks the twenty-fifth day of this sixth month, celebrating the end of a long and difficult struggle against opposition.
For your faith life, this brief mention reminds us that God honors persistent effort. The builders worked through fear and distraction, yet they finished their task. This shows that spiritual restoration often happens in stages, requiring patience and steady labor rather than instant miracles.
You can find encouragement in the idea that God sees your daily work. Whether you are rebuilding a relationship or growing in character, your faithful steps matter. The completion of the wall was not just a historical event but a testament to God’s presence with those who keep going.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of/ Elul1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לֶ/אֱל֑וּל1×
Key Verses
-
Nehemiah 6:15
So the wall was finished in the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in fifty-two days.
This verse uses Elul as a precise chronological marker to celebrate the successful completion of Jerusalem's wall after significant opposition.