אַלְלַי (al.lay)
al.lay
woe!
H:IntjQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:Intj
Word Overview
The Hebrew word al-lay is an exclamation of grief, translated as "woe" or "alas." It functions as a direct cry of distress rather than a formal prayer or legal accusation. The sources suggest it may be onomatopoeic, mimicking the sound of a heavy sigh or a groan of sorrow.
Its usage is sparse but intense, appearing in only two verses: Job 3:10 and Micah 1:14. In Job, it accompanies the curse of the day of his birth, emphasizing personal despair. In Micah, it is part of a prophetic warning against impending judgment on Samaria.
Unlike other words for judgment that might imply a theological cause, al-lay focuses on the emotional weight of the situation. It captures the raw human response to tragedy or doom, serving as a vocalization of pain rather than an analysis of it.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word al-lay is a raw cry of grief, often translated as "woe" or "alas." It does not offer theological explanations but simply voices deep distress. When you feel overwhelmed by sorrow, this word reminds you that honest expression of pain is part of the human experience.
In Job 10:15, Job uses this exclamation to describe his feeling of hopelessness despite his righteousness. He feels trapped in disgrace, unable to lift his head. This shows that even those who trust God can reach a point where they simply cry out "woe" without having all the answers.
God invites you to bring your heaviest sighs to Him. You do not need to polish your grief or hide your despair. Your honest cries are heard, and He meets you in the depth of your pain with presence and comfort.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- woe!2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אַלְלַ֬י1×
- אַ֣לְלַי1×
Key Verses
-
Job 10:15
If I am wicked, woe to me. If I am righteous, I still will not lift up my head, being filled with disgrace, and conscious of my affliction.
This verse captures Job's personal despair, using the word to express his feeling of being trapped in disgrace despite his righteousness.