עָלַל (a.lal)
a.lal
to abuse; to glean; to mock; to thrust
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 18 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb ʿālal carries a complex range of meanings that shift depending on its grammatical stem. In its most common forms, it describes acting with severity or dealing harshly with someone, as seen in Lamentations where the nation suffers extreme punishment. The same root can also mean to mock or make a fool of, capturing a sense of contemptuous treatment.
Less frequently, the word takes on physical or playful senses. In Job 16:15, it describes wounds being thrust into the body, while in Isaiah 3:12, it refers to leaders who act like children or play the fool. A rare usage even means to glean, though this is distinct from the primary themes of harshness and mockery found throughout Jeremiah and Judges.
This variety arises from different stem constructions that modify the basic idea of action. The Hithpael form often implies busying oneself with wicked practices or dealing ruthlessly, adding a layer of intentional malice to the severity. Translators must carefully choose between "abuse," "mock," or "thrust" based on the specific context, as no single English word captures all these nuances.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ʿālal reveals how deeply human relationships can fracture under pressure. In Judges, it describes a horrific abuse where trust is shattered and violence reigns. This stark reality reminds us that sin does not just break rules; it destroys the dignity of those made in God’s image. When people mock or mistreat one another, they reflect a world far from the peace Christ offers.
Yet the same root appears in Leviticus with a gentle meaning: to glean. Here, God commands landowners to leave scraps for the poor and foreigner. This shift shows that the same human capacity used for cruelty can be redirected toward mercy. We are invited to choose how we use our strength—whether to dominate or to provide.
Even in moments of despair, like Job’s feeling of being thrust into dust, God hears the cry. The word reminds us that our suffering is seen, and our call is to reflect His character by protecting the vulnerable rather than oppressing them.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 18 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ they will deal wantonly3×
- you will glean2×
- you have dealt wantonly1×
- you have dealt severely1×
- to/ practice1×
- thoroughly <glean>1×
- people will glean1×
- it has dealt severely1×
- it has been done1×
- he dealt wantonly1×
- have you dealt severely1×
- and/ they gleaned/ him1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/הִתְעַלְּלוּ\־3×
- תְעוֹלֵ֖ל1×
- תְעוֹלֵ֔ל1×
- עוֹלַ֣לְתָּ1×
- עוֹלַ֛לְתָּ1×
- עוֹלַ֖ל1×
- עוֹלֵ֛ל1×
- עֽוֹלְלָ֣ה1×
- מְעוֹלֵ֔ל1×
- לְ/הִתְע֘וֹלֵ֤ל1×
- יְעוֹלְל֥וּ1×
- וַ/יִּֽתְעַלְּלוּ\־1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 19:25
But the men wouldn’t listen to him; so the man grabbed his concubine, and brought her out to them; and they had sex with her, and abused her all night until the morning. When the day began to dawn, they let her go.
This verse uses the word to describe extreme sexual violence, highlighting the depth of moral decay in Israel's history.
-
Leviticus 19:10
You shall not glean your vineyard, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the foreigner. I am Yahweh your God.
Here the word means to glean, showing God’s command to leave food for the poor as an act of justice and care.
-
Numbers 22:29
Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have mocked me, I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would have killed you.”
Balaam accuses the donkey of mocking him, illustrating how the word can express contempt or foolishness in conflict.
-
I Samuel 31:4
Then Saul said to his armor bearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through and abuse me!” But his armor bearer would not, for he was terrified. Therefore Saul took his sword and fell on it.
Saul fears being abused by Philistines, using the term to describe the humiliation he wishes to avoid at death.