אֶ֫לֶף (e.leph)
e.leph
thousand
H:NQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 331 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun eleph primarily denotes a thousand, serving as a standard unit for counting large groups in the Old Testament. It appears frequently in census records and military lists, such as when Numbers details the organization of Israel’s tribes into units of this size. The word functions both as a precise numeral and as a collective term for a substantial body of people or resources.
Lexical sources indicate that eleph can also refer to a clan or a military company led by a specific commander, rather than just a headcount. This dual usage reflects the social structure of ancient Israel, where family units and troop divisions often aligned. For instance, Judges 15:16 uses the term when describing a large gathering of people, highlighting its role in identifying organized groups under leadership.
The etymology connects eleph to the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, aleph, which originally depicted an ox. While some scholars suggest this link implies a value based on livestock wealth, the text consistently uses the word for numerical or organizational purposes. Translators render it simply as "thousand" in most contexts, preserving its straightforward function as a measure of magnitude in biblical narratives.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word eleph appears often in Scripture as a simple number for one thousand. Yet it carries a deeper sense of community and order. In ancient Israel, this term described not just a count, but a structured group under leadership. When Moses appointed judges over thousands, he established a system where people were cared for by those who feared God. This shows that God values organization and shared responsibility in His people.
God’s promises also use this word to express vast abundance. He blessed Rebekah with the hope of becoming a mother of thousands. Later, Scripture speaks of God showing loving kindness to thousands of generations. These passages remind us that God’s faithfulness extends far beyond our immediate lives. His covenant love is large enough to cover many generations and many people.
Whether counting silver or describing military units, eleph points to the scale of God’s work among Israel. It reflects a society where every individual belonged to a larger whole. For us today, this word encourages trust in God’s ability to manage great things. We can rely on His provision and His structured care for His community.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 331 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- thousand173×
- thousand<s>82×
- one thousand39×
- two thousand25×
- a thousand22×
- the/ thousands13×
- and/ one thousand9×
- thousands8×
- [the] families of5×
- to/ thousands3×
- for/ a thousand3×
- and/ to/ thousands2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אֶ֖לֶף77×
- אֲלָפִ֖ים24×
- אֶ֛לֶף22×
- אֶ֔לֶף19×
- אָֽלֶף\׃18×
- אָֽלֶף\׃\ \ס16×
- אֲלָפִים֙16×
- אָ֑לֶף14×
- אֶ֤לֶף13×
- אֲלָפִ֔ים13×
- אֶ֥לֶף11×
- אֶ֣לֶף10×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 24:60
They blessed Rebekah, and said to her, “Our sister, may you be the mother of thousands of ten thousands, and let your offspring possess the gate of those who hate them.”
This verse uses eleph to express a blessing of abundant offspring, highlighting God's promise of large-scale fruitfulness.
-
Exodus 18:21
Moreover you shall provide out of all the people able men which fear God: men of truth, hating unjust gain; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
Here eleph defines a leadership tier, showing how God organized Israel through responsible judges over thousands.
-
Exodus 20:6
and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.
The term describes the vast scope of God's steadfast love, extending to thousands who keep His commandments.