Strong's Lexicon alelay: Woe, Alas Original Word: אַלְלַי Word Origin: Derived from the root אָלַל (alal), which conveys a sense of wailing or lamentation. Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Greek equivalent often used in the Septuagint and the New Testament is οὐαί (ouai), which also means "woe" or "alas." This term is used in the New Testament, notably in the Gospels, where Jesus pronounces woes upon unrepentant cities and hypocritical religious leaders (e.g., Matthew 23:13-29). Usage: The Hebrew word "alelay" is an interjection used to express deep sorrow, distress, or lamentation. It is often found in contexts of mourning or when pronouncing judgment or calamity. The term conveys a profound emotional response to tragedy or divine judgment. Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Hebrew culture, expressions of lament were a significant part of communal and individual life, especially in response to national disasters, personal loss, or divine judgment. The use of interjections like "alelay" reflects the deep emotional and spiritual engagement of the Hebrew people with their circumstances and their God. Lamentations were often accompanied by physical expressions of grief, such as tearing clothes, wearing sackcloth, and ashes. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. interj. Definition alas! woe! NASB Translation woe (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs אַלְלַי interjection (probably onomatopoetic: compare , אָלָה, to wail, woe! Di718) alas! woe! followed by לִי to me Micah 7:1; Job 10:15. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance woe By reduplication from 'alah; alas! -- woe. see HEBREW 'alah Forms and Transliterations אַ֣לְלַי אַלְלַ֬י אללי ’al·lay ’allay alLaiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 10:15 HEB: אִם־ רָשַׁ֡עְתִּי אַלְלַ֬י לִ֗י וְ֭צָדַקְתִּי NAS: I am wicked, woe to me! And if I am righteous, KJV: If I be wicked, woe unto me; and [if] I be righteous, INT: If I am wicked woe I am righteous not Micah 7:1 2 Occurrences |