426. elah

Lexical Summary

elah: God, god

Original Word: אַלָהּ
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: elahh
Pronunciation: eh-LAH
Phonetic Spelling: (el-aw')
KJV: God, god
NASB: God, gods
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) corresponding to H433 (אֱלוַֹהּ אֱלוַֹהּ - God)]

1. God

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

God, god

(Aramaic) corresponding to 'elowahh; God -- God, god.

see HEBREW 'elowahh

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
(Aramaic) corresponding to eloah
Definition
God, god
NASB Translation
God (74), god (6), gods (15).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

אֱלָהּ₉₄ noun masculine god, God (= Biblical Hebrew אֱלֹהַּ (p. 43), see also √ I. אלה); — ׳א absolute Daniel 2:28 +, construct Daniel 2:18 +; emphatic אֱלָהָא Daniel 2:20 +; suffix אֱלָהִי Daniel 6:23, הָךְ- Ezra 9:14 +, הֵהּ- Daniel 6:6 +, הֲהֹם- Ezra 5:5; Ezra 7:16, הֲהוֺן- Daniel 3:28 (twice in verse); Daniel 3:29, הֲכֹם- Ezra 7:17, etc.; plural absolute אֱלָהִין Daniel 2:11 +, emphatic הַיָּא- Jeremiah 10:11, construct הֵי- Daniel 5:4,23, suffix הַי- Daniel 3:14, etc. [with prefix לֵאלָהָא Daniel 5:23, לֵאלָהָיךְ Daniel 3:14, etc.; but not in singular absolute or construct, e.g. לֶאֱלָהּ Ezra 5:12, etc.]; —

1 god, in General Daniel 6:8; Daniel 6:13; heathen deities Jeremiah 10:11; Daniel 2:11; Daniel 3:15+ 15 t. Daniel (made of gold, etc. Daniel 5:4,23) + בַּראֱֿלָהִין Daniel 3:25.(see בַּר).

2₇₃ God (of Israel), Daniel 2:28; Ezra 5:2 +; phrase ׳אֱלָהּ יִשׂ Ezra 5:1; Ezra 6:14; Ezra 7:15; יְרוּשְׁלֵם ׳א Ezra 7:19; אֲבָהָתַי ׳א Daniel 2:23; שְׁמַיָּא Ezra 5:11 (+ וְאַרְעָא), Ezra 5:12; Ezra 6:9,10; Daniel 2:18; Daniel 2:19 6t. (see שָׁמַיִם 2a); רַב ׳א Daniel 2:45; אֱלָהִין ׳א Daniel 2:47; אֱלָהָא עִלָּיָא Daniel 3:26; Daniel 3:32; Daniel 5:18,21; חַיָּא ׳א Daniel 6:21; Daniel 6:27; also בֵּית אֱלָהָא Daniel 5:3; Ezra 4:24; Ezra 5:2 16t. Ezra; ׳עֲבִידַת א Ezra 6:18.

Topical Lexicon

Overview and Distribution

אַלָהּ (’ělāh) is the standard Aramaic word for “God” in the Old Testament. It appears about ninety-five times, almost exclusively in the Aramaic passages of Daniel 2–7 and Ezra 4–7, with a single occurrence in Jeremiah 10:11, which is also Aramaic. Though linguistically Aramaic, the term points to the same one true God revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures. Its usage spans the worship of the exiles, the decrees of foreign monarchs, and public testimonies in polytheistic courts.

Historical Setting and Linguistic Considerations

During the Babylonian and Persian periods the language of empire was Imperial Aramaic. Both Daniel and Ezra record official correspondence, proclamations, and narratives in Aramaic, so the name for God appears as ʼělāh rather than the Hebrew ʼĕlōhîm or Yahweh. This demonstrates how the people of God confessed His sovereignty in the lingua franca of their captors, underlining the universality of His rule.

Portrait of Divine Sovereignty in the Book of Daniel

1. Revealer of mysteries (Daniel 2:28). When Nebuchadnezzar demanded an interpretation of his dream, Daniel testified, “There is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.” The phrase “God in heaven” is framed with ʼělāh, highlighting His transcendence over earthly kings.
2. Depositor of wisdom (Daniel 2:20–23). Daniel blesses “the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him.” The exiles do not see exile as evidence of divine impotence but of purposeful sovereignty moving kings and seasons (Daniel 2:21).
3. Deliverer from persecution (Daniel 3). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego confess that “our God, whom we serve, is able to deliver us” (Daniel 3:17). After their rescue from the furnace, Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges, “There is no other god who can deliver in this way” (Daniel 3:29).
4. Judge of pride (Daniel 4). Nebuchadnezzar’s humiliation leads to a doxology: “I lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and glorified Him who lives forever” (Daniel 4:34).
5. Avenger of blasphemy (Daniel 5). Belshazzar’s desecration of the temple vessels triggers the handwriting on the wall. Daniel rebukes him: “But the God in whose hand are your life-breath and all your ways, you have not glorified” (Daniel 5:23).
6. Protector of integrity (Daniel 6). Darius confesses after Daniel’s night in the lions’ den, “The God of Daniel is the living God, enduring forever” (Daniel 6:26).

Confession of Pagan Kings

Several imperial edicts use ʼělāh to honor the God of Israel:
• Nebuchadnezzar: “Truly your God is God of gods and Lord of kings” (Daniel 2:47).
• Darius the Mede: “He is the living God… His kingdom will never be destroyed” (Daniel 6:26).
• Cyrus the Great: “The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth” (Ezra 1:2). Although Ezra records this in Hebrew, later Aramaic correspondence preserves the same confession with ʼělāh (Ezra 6:10). These testimonies show that even Gentile rulers must bow before the God of Israel.

Covenant Faithfulness and Deliverance

The Aramaic narratives celebrate God’s covenant loyalty in exile. Daniel 3 and 6 mirror Exodus deliverances, reminding Israel that location does not limit God. His name in Aramaic settings signals unbroken covenant presence. Daniel’s prayer in Aramaic (Daniel 2:20–23) and later in Hebrew (Daniel 9) underscores one consistent divine identity across languages.

Ezra’s Temple-Centered Usage

Ezra’s Aramaic documents (Ezra 4:24–6:18; 7:12–26) use ʼělāh in legal formats:
• “Let the house of God be rebuilt” (Ezra 5:2).
• “May God, to whom the dwelling is in Jerusalem, overthrow any king who tries to change my decree” (Ezra 6:12).

These passages assert that temple restoration is not merely ethnic but theological—the God of heaven is reclaiming His dwelling among His people.

Biblical Theology and Relation to Other Divine Names

ʼĚl or ʼĕlōhîm in Hebrew and ʼělāh in Aramaic both derive from the Semitic root for deity, yet Scripture applies them uniquely to the covenant God. The shift in vocabulary does not mark a shift in doctrine. In Daniel 9, the prophet moves from Aramaic narrative to Hebrew prayer, weaving ʼĕlōhîm and Yahweh into a seamless confession of guilt and hope. This reinforces the continuity of revelation across languages and epochs.

Foreshadowing of the Universal Lordship of Christ

Daniel 7 introduces the “Son of Man” who receives an everlasting dominion from the “Ancient of Days” (Daniel 7:13-14). The setting remains Aramaic, connecting ʼělāh with the future messianic king. In New Testament usage Jesus applies “Son of Man” to Himself (Matthew 26:64), showing that the God Daniel proclaimed is fully revealed in the incarnate Christ.

Practical Ministry Implications

1. Cross-cultural witness: Daniel and Ezra model fearless testimony in the marketplace and throne room, a pattern for believers engaging pluralistic societies.
2. Prayer and dependence: Daniel 2 demonstrates immediate corporate prayer among friends, inviting churches to seek God together before responding to crises.
3. Integrity under pressure: The use of ʼělāh during governmental decrees highlights believers who obey God rather than men (Daniel 3; 6).
4. Hope in exile: Pastors can draw on ʼělāh texts to comfort those who feel displaced, reminding them of God’s unchanging rule.
5. Worship language: The variety of divine names encourages the church to declare God’s greatness in every tongue, anticipating the multilingual praise of Revelation 7:9-10.

Questions for Reflection and Teaching

• How does God’s self-revelation in Aramaic encourage believers engaged in secular cultures today?
• What patterns of prayer and praise emerge in Daniel’s use of ʼělāh that can shape corporate worship?
• In what ways do the deliverances of Daniel 3 and 6 prefigure salvation in Jesus Christ?

Summary

אַלָהּ emphasizes that the Lord of Israel is not a provincial deity but the universal Sovereign whose wisdom, power, and faithfulness transcend languages, empires, and eras. Whether in palace decrees, fiery furnaces, lions’ dens, or temple restorations, ʼělāh declares, “His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation” (Daniel 4:34).

Forms and Transliterations

אֱלָ֔הּ אֱלָ֣ה אֱלָ֣הַיָּ֔א אֱלָ֣הּ אֱלָ֤הּ אֱלָ֥הּ אֱלָ֧הּ אֱלָ֨הּ אֱלָהֲה֗וֹן אֱלָהֲהֹ֖ם אֱלָהֲהֹ֗ם אֱלָהֲהוֹן֙ אֱלָהֲכ֗וֹן אֱלָהֲכֹ֖ם אֱלָהִ֔י אֱלָהִ֔ין אֱלָהִ֖ין אֱלָהִ֛ין אֱלָהִ֞י אֱלָהִ֣ין אֱלָהִ֤ין אֱלָהִ֥ין אֱלָהִֽין׃ אֱלָהֵ֔הּ אֱלָהֵ֣הּ אֱלָהֵֽהּ׃ אֱלָהַ֙נָא֙ אֱלָהָ֑ךְ אֱלָהָ֔א אֱלָהָ֔ךְ אֱלָהָ֖א אֱלָהָ֖ךְ אֱלָהָ֗ךְ אֱלָהָ֣א אֱלָהָ֤א אֱלָהָ֤ךְ אֱלָהָ֥א אֱלָהָֽא׃ אֱלָהָא֙ אֱלָהָא֮ אלה אלהא אלהא׃ אלהה אלהה׃ אלההון אלההם אלהי אלהיא אלהין אלהין׃ אלהך אלהכון אלהכם אלהנא בֵּאלָהֵֽהּ׃ באלהה׃ וְלֵֽאלָהֵ֣י וְלֵֽאלָהָ֞א וֵֽאלָהָ֞א ואלהא ולאלהא ולאלהי לֵֽאלָהֵ֞י לֵֽאלָהַ֗י לֵֽאלָהָיִךְ֙ לֵֽאלָהָךְ֙ לֵאלָֽהֲהֽוֹן׃ לֶאֱלָ֣הּ לֶאֱלָ֥הּ לֶאֱלָ֪הּ לאלה לאלההון׃ לאלהי לאלהיך לאלהך ’ĕ·lā·hā ’ĕ·lā·hă·hō·wn ’ĕ·lā·hă·hōm ’ĕ·lā·hă·ḵō·wn ’ĕ·lā·hă·ḵōm ’ĕ·lā·ha·nā ’ĕ·lā·hāḵ ’ĕ·lā·hay·yā ’ĕ·lā·hêh ’ĕ·lā·hî ’ĕ·lā·hîn ’ĕ·lāh ’ĕlāh ’ĕlāhā ’ĕlāhăhōm ’ĕlāhăhōwn ’ĕlāhāḵ ’ĕlāhăḵōm ’ĕlāhăḵōwn ’ĕlāhanā ’ĕlāhayyā ’ĕlāhêh ’ĕlāhî ’ĕlāhîn bê·lā·hêh belaHeh bêlāhêh eLah elaHa elaHach elahaChom elahaChon elahaHom elahahOn eLahaiYa elaHana elaHeh elaHi elaHin le’ĕlāh le·’ĕ·lāh lê·lā·hă·hō·wn lê·lā·hā·yiḵ lê·lā·hāḵ lê·lā·hay lê·lā·hê leeLah leLahaHon lêlāhăhōwn lelaHai lêlāhāḵ lêlāhay lelahayiCh lêlāhāyiḵ lêlāhê lelaHei lelahoCh velaHa velelaHa velelaHei wê·lā·hā wə·lê·lā·hā wə·lê·lā·hê wêlāhā wəlêlāhā wəlêlāhê

Englishman's Concordance

Ezra 4:24
HEB: עֲבִידַ֣ת בֵּית־ אֱלָהָ֔א דִּ֖י בִּירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם
NAS: on the house of God in Jerusalem
KJV: of the house of God which [is] at Jerusalem.
INT: work the house of God in Jerusalem

Ezra 5:1
HEB: וּבִירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם בְּשֻׁ֛ם אֱלָ֥הּ יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל עֲלֵיהֽוֹן׃
NAS: in the name of the God of Israel,
KJV: in the name of the God of Israel,
INT: and Jerusalem the name of the God of Israel was over

Ezra 5:2
HEB: לְמִבְנֵ֔א בֵּ֥ית אֱלָהָ֖א דִּ֣י בִירֽוּשְׁלֶ֑ם
NAS: the house of God which
KJV: the house of God which [is] at Jerusalem:
INT: to rebuild the house of God which Jerusalem

Ezra 5:2
HEB: ק) דִֽי־ אֱלָהָ֖א מְסָעֲדִ֥ין לְהֽוֹן׃
NAS: and the prophets of God were with them supporting
KJV: [were] the prophets of God helping
INT: prophet which of God supporting

Ezra 5:5
HEB: וְעֵ֣ין אֱלָהֲהֹ֗ם הֲוָת֙ עַל־
NAS: But the eye of their God was on the elders
KJV: But the eye of their God was upon
INT: the eye of their God was concerning

Ezra 5:8
HEB: מְדִֽינְתָּא֙ לְבֵית֙ אֱלָהָ֣א רַבָּ֔א וְה֤וּא
NAS: of the great God, which
KJV: of the great God, which is builded
INT: to the province to the house God of the great which

Ezra 5:11
HEB: עַבְדוֹהִי֩ דִֽי־ אֱלָ֨הּ שְׁמַיָּ֜א וְאַרְעָ֗א
NAS: We are the servants of the God of heaven
KJV: the servants of the God of heaven
INT: are the servants forasmuch of the God of heaven and earth

Ezra 5:12
HEB: הַרְגִּ֤זוּ אֲבָהֳתַ֙נָא֙ לֶאֱלָ֣הּ שְׁמַיָּ֔א יְהַ֣ב
NAS: had provoked the God of heaven
KJV: had provoked the God of heaven
INT: had provoked our fathers the God of heaven gave

Ezra 5:13
HEB: טְעֵ֔ם בֵּית־ אֱלָהָ֥א דְנָ֖ה לִבְּנֵֽא׃
NAS: this house of God.
KJV: this house of God.
INT: A decree house of God this to rebuild

Ezra 5:14
HEB: דִֽי־ בֵית־ אֱלָהָא֮ דִּ֣י דַהֲבָ֣ה
NAS: of the house of God which
KJV: of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar
INT: which of the house of God whom the gold

Ezra 5:15
HEB: בִירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם וּבֵ֥ית אֱלָהָ֖א יִתְבְּנֵ֥א עַל־
NAS: and let the house of God be rebuilt
KJV: and let the house of God be builded
INT: Jerusalem the house of God be rebuilt in

Ezra 5:16
HEB: דִּי־ בֵ֥ית אֱלָהָ֖א דִּ֣י בִירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם
NAS: of the house of God in Jerusalem;
KJV: of the house of God which [is] in Jerusalem:
INT: forasmuch of the house of God in Jerusalem

Ezra 5:17
HEB: לְמִבְנֵ֛א בֵּית־ אֱלָהָ֥א דֵ֖ךְ בִּירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם
NAS: house of God at Jerusalem;
KJV: house of God at Jerusalem,
INT: to rebuild house of God this Jerusalem

Ezra 6:3
HEB: טְעֵם֒ בֵּית־ אֱלָהָ֤א בִֽירוּשְׁלֶם֙ בַּיְתָ֣א
NAS: [Concerning] the house of God at Jerusalem,
KJV: [concerning] the house of God at Jerusalem,
INT: A decree the house of God Jerusalem the house

Ezra 6:5
HEB: מָאנֵ֣י בֵית־ אֱלָהָא֮ דִּ֣י דַהֲבָ֣ה
NAS: of the house of God, which
KJV: of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar
INT: utensils of the house of God which the gold

Ezra 6:5
HEB: וְתַחֵ֖ת בְּבֵ֥ית אֱלָהָֽא׃ ס
NAS: [them] in the house of God.'
KJV: and place [them] in the house of God.
INT: shall put the house of God

Ezra 6:7
HEB: לַעֲבִידַ֖ת בֵּית־ אֱלָהָ֣א דֵ֑ךְ פַּחַ֤ת
NAS: on the house of God alone;
KJV: house of God alone;
INT: work the house of God this the governor

Ezra 6:7
HEB: יְהוּדָיֵ֔א בֵּית־ אֱלָהָ֥א דֵ֖ךְ יִבְנ֥וֹן
NAS: this house of God on its site.
KJV: this house of God in his place.
INT: of the Jews house of God this rebuild

Ezra 6:8
HEB: לְמִבְנֵ֖א בֵּית־ אֱלָהָ֣א דֵ֑ךְ וּמִנִּכְסֵ֣י
NAS: of this house of God: the full cost
KJV: house of God: that of the king's
INT: the rebuilding house of God of this treasury

Ezra 6:9
HEB: וְאִמְּרִ֣ין ׀ לַעֲלָוָ֣ן ׀ לֶאֱלָ֪הּ שְׁמַיָּ֟א חִנְטִ֞ין
NAS: for a burnt offering to the God of heaven,
KJV: for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven,
INT: and lambs A burnt to the God of heaven and wheat

Ezra 6:10
HEB: מְהַקְרְבִ֛ין נִיחוֹחִ֖ין לֶאֱלָ֣הּ שְׁמַיָּ֑א וּמְצַלַּ֕יִן
NAS: acceptable sacrifices to the God of heaven
KJV: sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven,
INT: may offer acceptable to the God of heaven and pray

Ezra 6:12
HEB: וֵֽאלָהָ֞א דִּ֣י שַׁכִּ֧ן
NAS: May the God who has caused His name
KJV: And the God that hath caused his name
INT: may the God who to dwell

Ezra 6:12
HEB: לְחַבָּלָ֛ה בֵּית־ אֱלָהָ֥א דֵ֖ךְ דִּ֣י
NAS: house of God in Jerusalem.
KJV: house of God which [is] at Jerusalem.
INT: to destroy house of God this who

Ezra 6:14
HEB: מִן־ טַ֙עַם֙ אֱלָ֣הּ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וּמִטְּעֵם֙
NAS: to the command of the God of Israel
KJV: to the commandment of the God of Israel,
INT: according to the commandment of the God of Israel to the command

Ezra 6:16
HEB: חֲנֻכַּ֛ת בֵּית־ אֱלָהָ֥א דְנָ֖ה בְּחֶדְוָֽה׃
NAS: of this house of God with joy.
KJV: of this house of God with joy,
INT: the dedication house of God of this joy

95 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 426
95 Occurrences

bê·lā·hêh — 1 Occ.
’ĕ·lāh — 20 Occ.
’ĕ·lā·hā — 29 Occ.
’ĕ·lā·hāḵ — 8 Occ.
’ĕ·lā·hă·ḵōm — 2 Occ.
’ĕ·lā·hă·ḵō·wn — 1 Occ.
’ĕ·lā·hă·hōm — 2 Occ.
’ĕ·lā·hă·hō·wn — 2 Occ.
’ĕ·lā·hay·yā — 1 Occ.
’ĕ·lā·ha·nā — 1 Occ.
’ĕ·lā·hêh — 4 Occ.
’ĕ·lā·hî — 2 Occ.
’ĕ·lā·hîn — 9 Occ.
le·’ĕ·lāh — 5 Occ.
lê·lā·hă·hō·wn — 1 Occ.
lê·lā·hay — 1 Occ.
lê·lā·hā·yiḵ — 1 Occ.
lê·lā·hê — 1 Occ.
lê·lā·hāḵ — 1 Occ.
wê·lā·hā — 1 Occ.
wə·lê·lā·hā — 1 Occ.
wə·lê·lā·hê — 1 Occ.