עִלַּי (il.lay)
il.lay
Most High
A:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:A
Word Overview
The Aramaic word il.lay, translated as "Most High," appears only four times in the Hebrew Bible, all within the book of Daniel. It functions as a title for God, emphasizing His supreme authority over earthly kingdoms and human rulers. Unlike terms that focus on intimacy or covenant, this name highlights transcendence and universal sovereignty.
Etymologically, it derives from the root meaning "upper" or "high," reinforcing the idea of elevation above all else. In Daniel 4:17 and 4:25, King Nebuchadnezzar uses this title to acknowledge that God’s dominion extends over the entire earth, not just Israel. The term serves as a reminder that even pagan kings are subject to divine rule.
Its limited use in Scripture gives it a distinctive weight. By appearing only in Daniel, it underscores the theme of God’s control over history and empires. Translators consistently render it as "Most High," capturing both its literal sense of height and its theological implication of ultimate power.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The phrase "Most High" appears in the Hebrew Bible only four times, all within the book of Daniel. It is an Aramaic title that emphasizes God's supreme authority over earthly kingdoms and human rulers. Unlike terms focusing on intimacy or covenant, this name highlights transcendence and universal sovereignty.
In Daniel 4:17 and 4:25, King Nebuchadnezzar uses this title to acknowledge that God’s dominion extends over the entire earth. The term serves as a reminder that even pagan kings are subject to divine rule. Its limited use in Scripture gives it a distinctive weight.
By appearing only in Daniel, it underscores the theme of God’s control over history and empires. Translators consistently render it as "Most High," capturing both its literal sense of height and its theological implication of ultimate power.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Most High/ the4×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עִלָּאָ/ה֙2×
- עִלָּאָ֖/ה1×
- עִלָּאָ֔/ה1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 3:26
Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace. He spoke and said, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the middle of the fire.
Nebuchadnezzar calls Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego servants of the Most High God after witnessing their deliverance from the fiery furnace.
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Daniel 5:18
“To you, king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty.
The king acknowledges that the Most High God gave his father Nebuchadnezzar kingdom, greatness, glory, and majesty.
-
Daniel 5:21
He was driven from the sons of men, and his heart was made like the animals’, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of the sky, until he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and that he sets up over it whomever he will.
After being driven from men, Nebuchadnezzar knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men and sets up whomever He will.
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Daniel 7:25
He will speak words against the Most High, and will wear out the saints of the Most High. He will plan to change the times and the law; and they will be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time.
The little horn speaks words against the Most High and attempts to wear out the saints of the Most High.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Most High" mean in the Bible?
Where does "Most High" appear in the Bible?
How is "Most High" different from other names for God?
Every Occurrence (4 verses across 1 books)
Daniel 4 verses
Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace. He spoke and said, “Shadrach, Meshach, and…
Daniel 5:18“To you, king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty.
Daniel 5:21He was driven from the sons of men, and his heart was made like the animals’, and his dwelling was with the wild…
Daniel 7:25He will speak words against the Most High, and will wear out the saints of the Most High. He will plan to change the…