אֶלְעָלֵא (el.a.le)
el.a.le
Elealeh
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The name Elealeh, meaning "God is ascending," identifies a specific settlement in the territory of Reuben. Located near the prominent city of Heshbon, this village appears five times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily within the lists of conquered territories in Numbers and the prophetic judgments found in Isaiah and Jeremiah.
Its brief scriptural presence carries significant weight as a marker of divine sovereignty over Moab’s borders. In Isaiah 15:4 and Jeremiah 48:34, Elealeh is listed among the cities that cry out during invasion, highlighting its role as a strategic point in the region’s political landscape. The name itself serves as a theological statement, attributing the rise or protection of the place to God, even as the texts describe its eventual ruin.
Though the site is noted as being in ruins by later periods, its inclusion in these ancient records preserves the memory of Reuben’s northern boundary. The consistent association with Heshbon helps geographers and historians reconstruct the tribal divisions of Transjordan during the Iron Age.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Elealeh carries a meaning that points directly to divine action: "God is ascending." In the ancient landscape, this was not merely a label for a village on the border of Reuben. It served as a theological marker, reminding readers that even small settlements were under God's sovereign care and authority.
When prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah mentioned Elealeh, they described it crying out during times of invasion. This detail highlights how deeply personal these historical events were for ordinary people. Their voices joined with larger cities like Heshbon, showing that every community mattered in the eyes of God, whether in times of peace or distress.
Today, this word invites us to trust that God is active in our specific circumstances. Just as Elealeh was noted in ancient records, your life and struggles are known and remembered by Him. We can find comfort in knowing that no detail of our journey is overlooked by the One who holds all history.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Elealeh3×
- Elealeh2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/אֶלְעָלֵ֑ה2×
- וְ/אֶלְעָלֵ֔ה1×
- אֶלְעָלֵ֗ה1×
- אֶלְעָלֵ֑א1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 32:3
“Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon,
This verse lists Elealeh among the towns allocated to Reuben, establishing its identity as a settled community under divine provision.
-
Isaiah 15:4
Heshbon cries out with Elealeh. Their voice is heard even to Jahaz. Therefore the armed men of Moab cry aloud. Their souls tremble within them.
Here Elealeh cries out alongside Heshbon, illustrating how the name's meaning contrasts with the reality of invasion and fear.
-
Jeremiah 48:34
From the cry of Heshbon even to Elealeh, even to Jahaz they have uttered their voice, from Zoar even to Horonaim, to Eglath Shelishiyah; for the waters of Nimrim will also become desolate.
The mention of Elealeh in this judgment oracle emphasizes the widespread impact of conflict on even the smallest border towns.