עַל
upon
also: according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning fuller range ↓
H5921
Strong's Hebrew
ʻal
Transliteration
/al/
Pronunciation
Usage in the Hebrew Bible
5,779
appearances
Full lexicon entry — Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)
From Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)
BDB Definition
upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against (preposition)
- upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards
- above, beyond, over (of excess)
- above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)
- upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)
- over (of suspension or extension)
- by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)
- down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)
- to (as a dative)
- because that, because, notwithstanding, although (conjunction)
Where this word appears
Grammar key — what these labels mean
Part of speech
- Preposition
- A relational word (e.g. “in,” “to,” “from”) governing a noun.
Noun type
- Common
- A common noun — a general class of person, place, or thing (“king,” “city,” “water”), not a specific name.
State
- Absolute
- The independent form of a noun, not bound to a following word.
Gender
- Masculine
- Grammatically masculine.
Number
- Singular
- One.
Every verse where H5921 appears in the Book of Nehemiah — 87 distinct verses. Click any verse to open its interlinear word-by-word view. Verse text shown in the World English Bible for context — . Each verse’s Hebrew form is shown with its reference; the English is not keyword-highlighted, since the data carries no word-level English alignment. Use “Compare translations” on any verse to read it across multiple English versions. This concordance covers the Hebrew Bible; Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) occurrences are not indexed here.
Nehemiah
- Nehemiah 1:2 עַל וְ/עַל prep conj + prep that Hanani, one of my brothers, came, he and certain men out of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped, who were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.
- Nehemiah 1:6 עַל עַל prep prep Let your ear now be attentive, and your eyes open, that you may listen to the prayer of your servant, which I pray before you at this time, day and night, for the children of Israel your servants while I confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Yes, I and my father's house have sinned:
- Nehemiah 2:4 עַל prep Then the king said to me, For what do you make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.
- Nehemiah 2:5 עַל prep I said to the king, If it please the king, and if your servant have found favor in your sight, that you would send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' tombs, that I may build it.
- Nehemiah 2:7 עַל עַֽל prep prep Moreover I said to the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah;
- Nehemiah 2:8 עָלָֽ/י prep + sfx pers 1cs and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the castle which appertains to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. The king granted me, according to the good hand of my God on me.
- Nehemiah 2:18 עָלַ֔/י prep + sfx pers 1cs I told them of the hand of my God which was good on me, as also of the king's words that he had spoken to me. They said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for the good [work].
- Nehemiah 2:19 עָלֵ֑י/נוּ הַ/עַ֥ל prep + sfx pers 1cp ptcl inter + prep But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they ridiculed us, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that you do? will you rebel against the king?
- Nehemiah 3:2 וְ/עַל וְ/עַל conj + prep conj + prep Next to him built the men of Jericho. Next to them built Zaccur the son of Imri.
- Nehemiah 3:4 וְ/עַל וְ/עַל וְ/עַל conj + prep conj + prep conj + prep Next to them repaired Meremoth the son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz. Next to them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabel. Next to them repaired Zadok the son of Baana.
- Nehemiah 3:5 וְ/עַל conj + prep Next to them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles didn't put their necks to the work of their lord.
- Nehemiah 3:7 וְ/עַל conj + prep Next to them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon, and of Mizpah, [that appertained] to the throne of the governor beyond the River.
- Nehemiah 3:8 עַל וְ/עַל prep conj + prep Next to him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, goldsmiths. Next to him repaired Hananiah one of the perfumers, and they fortified Jerusalem even to the broad wall.
- Nehemiah 3:9 וְ/עַל conj + prep Next to them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem.
- Nehemiah 3:10 וְ/עַל וְ/עַל conj + prep conj + prep Next to them repaired Jedaiah the son of Harumaph, over against his house. Next to him repaired Hattush the son of Hashabneiah.
- Nehemiah 3:12 וְ/עַל conj + prep Next to him repaired Shallum the son of Hallohesh, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, he and his daughters.
- Nehemiah 3:17 עַל prep After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani. Next to him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of half the district of Keilah, for his district.
- Nehemiah 3:19 עַל prep Next to him repaired Ezer the son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, another portion, over against the ascent to the armory at the turning [of the wall].
- Nehemiah 3:28 מֵ/עַ֣ל prep + prep Above the horse gate repaired the priests, everyone over against his own house.
- Nehemiah 4:1 עַל prep But it happened that when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.
- Nehemiah 4:5 עַל prep and don't cover their iniquity, and don't let their sin be blotted out from before you; for they have provoked [you] to anger before the builders.
- Nehemiah 4:9 עֲלֵי/הֶ֛ם prep + sfx pers 3mp But we made our prayer to our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.
- Nehemiah 4:12 עָלֵֽי/נוּ prep + sfx pers 1cp It happened that when the Jews who lived by them came, they said to us ten times from all places, You must return to us.
- Nehemiah 4:14 עַל prep I looked, and rose up, and said to the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Don't be you afraid of them: remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.
- Nehemiah 4:18 עַל prep and the builders, everyone had his sword girded by his side, and so built. He who sounded the trumpet was by me.
- Nehemiah 4:19 עַל prep I said to the nobles, and to the rulers and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated on the wall, one far from another:
- Nehemiah 5:7 עָלַ֗/י עֲלֵי/הֶ֖ם prep + sfx pers 1cs prep + sfx pers 3mp Then I consulted with myself, and contended with the nobles and the rulers, and said to them, You exact usury, everyone of his brother. I held a great assembly against them.
- Nehemiah 5:15 עַל עַל prep prep But the former governors who were before me were chargeable to the people, and took of them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver; yes, even their servants bore rule over the people: but I didn't do so, because of the fear of God.
- Nehemiah 5:16 עַל prep Yes, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered there to the work.
- Nehemiah 5:17 עַל prep Moreover there were at my table, of the Jews and the rulers, one hundred fifty men, besides those who came to us from among the nations that were round about us.
- Nehemiah 5:18 עַל prep Now that which was prepared for one day was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this I didn't demand the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy on this people.
- Nehemiah 5:19 עַל prep Remember to me, my God, for good, all that I have done for this people.
- Nehemiah 6:3 עֲלֵי/הֶ֤ם prep + sfx pers 3mp I sent messengers to them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I can't come down: why should the work cease, while I leave it, and come down to you?
- Nehemiah 6:6 עַל prep in which was written, It is reported among the nations, and Gashmu says it, that you and the Jews think to rebel; for which cause you are building the wall: and you would be their king, according to these words.
- Nehemiah 6:7 עָלֶ֨י/ךָ prep + sfx pers 2ms You have also appointed prophets to preach of you at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.
- Nehemiah 6:12 עָלַ֔/י prep + sfx pers 1cs I discerned, and, behold, God had not sent him; but he pronounced this prophecy against me: and Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.
- Nehemiah 6:17 עַל prep Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and [the letters] of Tobiah came to them.
- Nehemiah 7:2 עַל prep that I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the governor of the castle, charge over Jerusalem; for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.
- Nehemiah 7:63 עַל prep Of the priests: the children of Hobaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name.
- Nehemiah 8:4 עַֽל עַל prep prep Ezra the scribe stood on a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Uriah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchijah, and Hashum, and Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, [and] Meshullam.
- Nehemiah 8:5 מֵ/עַ֥ל prep + prep Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:
- Nehemiah 8:7 עַל prep Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people [stood] in their place.
- Nehemiah 8:16 עַל prep So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, everyone on the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the broad place of the water gate, and in the broad place of the gate of Ephraim.
- Nehemiah 9:1 עֲלֵי/הֶֽם prep + sfx pers 3mp Now in the twenty-fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackcloth, and earth on them.
- Nehemiah 9:2 עַל prep The seed of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.
- Nehemiah 9:3 עַל prep They stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of Yahweh their God a fourth part of the day; and [another] fourth part they confessed, and worshiped Yahweh their God.
- Nehemiah 9:4 עַֽל prep Then stood up on the stairs of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, [and] Chenani, and cried with a loud voice to Yahweh their God.
- Nehemiah 9:5 עַל prep Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, [and] Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless Yahweh your God from everlasting to everlasting; and blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.
- Nehemiah 9:6 עָלֶ֨י/הָ֙ prep + sfx pers 3fs You are Yahweh, even you alone; you have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all things that are thereon, the seas and all that is in them, and you preserve them all; and the host of heaven worships you.
- Nehemiah 9:9 עַל prep You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heard their cry by the Red Sea,
- Nehemiah 9:10 עֲלֵי/הֶ֑ם prep + sfx pers 3mp and shown signs and wonders on Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land; for you knew that they dealt proudly against them, and did get you a name, as it is this day.
- Nehemiah 9:13 וְ/עַ֤ל conj + prep You came down also on Mount Sinai, and spoke with them from heaven, and gave them right ordinances and true laws, good statutes and commandments,
- Nehemiah 9:19 מֵ/עֲלֵי/הֶ֤ם prep + prep + sfx pers 3mp yet you in your manifold mercies didn't forsake them in the wilderness: the pillar of cloud didn't depart from over them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to show them light, and the way in which they should go.
- Nehemiah 9:30 עֲלֵי/הֶם֙ prep + sfx pers 3mp Yet many years did you bear with them, and testified against them by your Spirit through your prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gave you them into the hand of the peoples of the lands.
- Nehemiah 9:33 עַ֖ל עָלֵ֑י/נוּ prep prep + sfx pers 1cp However you are just in all that is come on us; for you have dealt truly, but we have done wickedly;
- Nehemiah 9:36 עָלֶֽי/הָ prep + sfx pers 3fs Behold, we are servants this day, and as for the land that you gave to our fathers to eat the fruit of it and the good of it, behold, we are servants in it.
- Nehemiah 9:37 עָלֵ֖י/נוּ וְ/עַ֣ל prep + sfx pers 1cp conj + prep It yields much increase to the kings whom you have set over us because of our sins: also they have power over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress.
- Nehemiah 9:38 וְ/עַל֙ conj + prep Yet for all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, our Levites, [and] our priests, seal to it.
- Nehemiah 10:1 וְ/עַ֖ל conj + prep Now those who sealed were: Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah,
- Nehemiah 10:29 עַל prep They joined with their brothers, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of Yahweh our Lord, and his ordinances and his statutes;
- Nehemiah 10:32 עָלֵ֨י/נוּ֙ עָלֵ֛י/נוּ prep + sfx pers 1cp prep + sfx pers 1cp Also we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God;
- Nehemiah 10:33 עַל prep for the show bread, and for the continual meal-offering, and for the continual burnt-offering, for the Sabbaths, for the new moons, for the set feasts, and for the holy things, and for the sin-offerings to make atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God.
- Nehemiah 10:34 עַל עַל prep prep We cast lots, the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood-offering, to bring it into the house of our God, according to our fathers' houses, at times appointed, year by year, to burn on the altar of Yahweh our God, as it is written in the law;
- Nehemiah 11:9 עֲלֵי/הֶ֑ם עַל prep + sfx pers 3mp prep Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer; and Judah the son of Hassenuah was second over the city.
- Nehemiah 11:14 עֲלֵי/הֶ֔ם prep + sfx pers 3mp and their brothers, mighty men of valor, one hundred twenty-eight; and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of Haggedolim.
- Nehemiah 11:16 עַל prep and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God;
- Nehemiah 11:21 עַל prep But the Nethinim lived in Ophel: and Ziha and Gishpa were over the Nethinim.
- Nehemiah 11:23 עֲלֵי/הֶ֑ם עַל prep + sfx pers 3mp prep For there was a commandment from the king concerning them, and a settled provision for the singers, as every day required.
- Nehemiah 12:8 עַֽל prep Moreover the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, [and] Mattaniah, who was over the thanksgiving, he and his brothers.
- Nehemiah 12:22 עַל prep As for the Levites, in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, and Johanan, and Jaddua, there were recorded the heads of fathers' [houses]; also the priests, in the reign of Darius the Persian.
- Nehemiah 12:23 עַל prep The sons of Levi, heads of fathers' [houses], were written in the book of the chronicles, even until the days of Johanan the son of Eliashib.
- Nehemiah 12:31 מֵ/עַ֖ל מֵ/עַ֣ל prep + prep prep + prep Then I brought up the princes of Judah on the wall, and appointed two great companies who gave thanks and went in procession. [One went] on the right hand on the wall toward the dung gate;
- Nehemiah 12:37 וְ/עַל֩ עַֽל מֵ/עַל֙ conj + prep prep prep + prep By the spring gate, and straight before them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the ascent of the wall, above the house of David, even to the water gate eastward.
- Nehemiah 12:38 מֵ/עַ֣ל מֵ/עַל֙ prep + prep prep + prep The other company of those who gave thanks went to meet them, and I after them, with the half of the people, on the wall, above the tower of the furnaces, even to the broad wall,
- Nehemiah 12:39 וּ/מֵ/עַ֣ל וְ/עַל וְ/עַל conj + prep + Preposition conj + prep conj + prep and above the gate of Ephraim, and by the old gate, and by the fish gate, and the tower of Hananel, and the tower of Hammeah, even to the sheep gate: and they stood still in the gate of the guard.
- Nehemiah 12:44 עַל עַל וְ/עַל prep prep conj + prep On that day were men appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the heave-offerings, for the first fruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them, according to the fields of the cities, the portions appointed by the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites who waited.
- Nehemiah 13:2 עָלָ֤י/ו prep + sfx pers 3ms because they didn't meet the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, to curse them: however our God turned the curse into a blessing.
- Nehemiah 13:11 עַל prep Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? I gathered them together, and set them in their place.
- Nehemiah 13:13 עַל וְ/עַל וַ/עֲלֵי/הֶ֖ם prep conj + prep conj + prep + sfx pers 3mp I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah; for they were counted faithful, and their business was to distribute to their brothers.
- Nehemiah 13:14 עַל prep Remember me, my God, concerning this, and don't wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the observances of it.
- Nehemiah 13:15 עַל prep In those days saw I in Judah some men treading wine-presses on the Sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading donkeys [therewith]; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day: and I testified [against them] in the day in which they sold food.
- Nehemiah 13:18 עָלֵ֗י/נוּ וְ/עַ֖ל עַל prep + sfx pers 1cp conj + prep prep Didn't your fathers do thus, and did not our God bring all this evil on us, and on this city? yet you bring more wrath on Israel by profaning the Sabbath.
- Nehemiah 13:19 עַל prep It came to pass that, when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the Sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut, and commanded that they should not be opened until after the Sabbath: and some of my servants set I over the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the Sabbath day.
- Nehemiah 13:22 עָלַ֖/י prep + sfx pers 1cs I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath day. Remember to me, my God, this also, and spare me according to the greatness of your loving kindness.
- Nehemiah 13:26 עַל עַל prep prep Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, and he was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did foreign women cause to sin.
- Nehemiah 13:28 מֵ/עָלָֽ/י prep + prep + sfx pers 1cs One of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me.
- Nehemiah 13:29 עַ֚ל prep Remember them, my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.
About this entry
At a glance — auto-summarized from this page’s data, not written by a person. Every figure links to its source below. This summary describes the numbers; it doesn’t interpret them.
“upon” is the headline sense of the Hebrew word על (ʻal). Its earliest occurrence is Genesis 1:2. The Hebrew Bible uses it across 4,489 verses — among the most common. Beyond “upon” it also covers “according to”, “on account of”, and “on behalf of” — see its full sense range. Related forms include על and על. The sections below give every sense, occurrence, and version rendering.
Gloss history
Strong's 1890 vs modern scholarship
Strong's · 1890
above
Modern gloss
upon
Strong's 1890 sometimes compressed multiple senses — or homonymous roots — under one number, and used 19th-century English phrasing that no longer carries the same connotation. The modern gloss reflects current BDB scholarship; open the Lexicon Entry tab for the full sense breakdown.
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About this word
Strong's H5921 catalogs a Hebrew word from the Hebrew Old Testament.
These counts are not copied from any lexicon or concordance. They are computed here, from the morphology-tagged Hebrew Old Testament. What Lemma adds →
- 4,489
- distinct verses
- The word appears in 4,489 distinct verses.
- 39 / 39
- OT books
- The word appears in 39 of 39 Old Testament books.
- #3
- by frequency
- Top 10 most frequent Hebrew words (rank 3 of 8,640 Hebrew words by occurrence).
View all 4,489 occurrences in the concordance →
By section of the Old Testament
By traditional corpus
Conventional, traditional groupings — biblical authorship is debated, so this is a traditional corpus grouping, not an authorship claim. Each share is this word’s portion of its verses in that division of the Hebrew canon. Each figure is a share of the word’s 4,489 distinct verses.
- Prophets (Nevi'im) 2,088 verses · 47%
- Writings (Ketuvim) 1,244 verses · 28%
- Torah (Pentateuch) 1,157 verses · 26%
How translations render this word
Counts come from each version’s own published word-to-Strong’s tagging or interlinear alignment — an approximate guide to how each version renders this word, not a word-level alignment the data otherwise carries. Because each total is that version’s own tagged count, the per-version totals vary from one another and need not match the appearance or distinct-verse counts above. These counts may also differ from a printed concordance because Lemma counts each distinctly tagged rendering and does not collapse phrase taggings into a single head-word total. This is a fixed set of word-tagged versions (KJV, ASV, BSB, ULT) and does not change with the reading translation you choose elsewhere. Each version’s license is shown beside its name below (and on Sources).
- King James Version: Beside 3×, Against 2×, From 2×
- American Standard Version: Of 4×, From 3×, In 2×
- Berean Standard Bible: On 848×, Over 300×, Against 234×
- unfoldingWord Literal Text: On 1,212×, Over 484×, Upon 292×
King James Version Public Domain
Renders H5921 across 48 tagged occurrences — most commonly:
Plus 33 renderings that appear only once — usually multi-word phrases or single function words the recovered tagging swept in, not distinct renderings.
American Standard Version Public Domain
Renders H5921 across 49 tagged occurrences — most commonly:
Plus 34 renderings that appear only once — usually multi-word phrases or single function words the recovered tagging swept in, not distinct renderings.
Berean Standard Bible Public Domain
Renders H5921 across 4,861 tagged occurrences — most commonly:
Plus other, less common renderings. Plus 302 renderings that appear only once — usually multi-word phrases or single function words the recovered tagging swept in, not distinct renderings. Not rendered by a distinct English word in 882 further occurrences.
unfoldingWord Literal Text CC BY-SA 4.0
Renders H5921 across 5,627 tagged occurrences — most commonly:
Plus other, less common renderings. Plus 241 renderings that appear only once — usually multi-word phrases or single function words the recovered tagging swept in, not distinct renderings.
41 senses and sub-senses in the full BDB
What do BDB’s symbols mean?
BDB uses these scholarly abbreviations:
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 𝔊 | the Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation, LXX) |
| 𝔙 | the Vulgate (the Latin translation) |
| 𝔖 | the Syriac version (the Peshitta) |
| 𝔗 | the Targum (the Aramaic translation) |
| ψ | the Psalms |
| √ | root (the underlying root or stem) |
| ‖ | parallel passage (a synonymous or contrasted parallel) |
| † | the dagger: every passage where the word occurs is cited |
The 41 senses and sub-senses the full Brown-Driver-Briggs lexicon distinguishes for this word, in lexicon order (not ranked by frequency), with BDB’s own verbatim wording and sub-sense lettering. Shown in Hebrew script with BDB’s own scholarly abbreviations. The condensed entry is in the Lexicon Entry tab. See also the Forms in the corpus table below.
- I. subst. height (poet.) †Ho 7:16 יָשׁוּבוּ לֹא עָ֗ל they return (but) not upwards (i.e. not God-wards), 11:7 וְאֶל־עַל יִקְרָאֻהוּ they (the prophets) call it (the people) upwards, (but) none striveth to rise; as adv. accus., 2 S 23:1 the man הֻ֣קַּם עָ֔ל (that) is raised up on high. With מִן, מֵעָ֑ל, †(ה)שׁמים מֵעָ֑ל (the) heavens above Gn 27:39; 49:25 ψ 50:4 (opp. מִתַּחַת Ex 20:4. In prose מִמַּעַל). e.g. Hosea 7:16
- II. As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against (SI4.6; Moab. Aramaic id.; Ph. על, and עלת; Palm. Nab. על; Sab. עלי, Arabic عَلَى );—abbrev. from עֲלֵי (cf. אֱלֵי, עֲדֵי), which is preserved in poetry, Gn 49:17(×2), 22(×2) Nu 24:6(×2) Dt 32:2(×2) Is 18:4; Je 8:18; Mi 5:6; La 4:5; 1 K 20:41; Qr, Jb 7:1 Qr + 10 times ψ, 3 times Pr, 15 times Jb; with sf. עָלַי; עָלֶיךָ, עָלַיִךְ (†ψ 116:7 the Aramaizing form עָלָ֑יְכִי); עָלָיו, + 1 S 2:10 עָלָו, עָלֶיהָ; 1 pl. עָלֵינוּ; 2 mpl. עֲלֵיכֶם, + Ex 12:13 עֲלֵכֶם, 2 fpl. עֲלֵיכֶן †Ez 23:49; 3 mpl. עֲלֵיהֶם, 13 times in Pent. עֲלֵהֶם Gn 45:15, etc. (Köii. 305), poet. עָלֵ֫ימוֹ Dt 22:23 + 11 times ψ, Jb (perhaps sometimes sg., Ges§ 103 i, N.); 3 fpl. עֲלֵיהֶן, †Ex 29:13 עֲלֵהֶן Ex 29:22; Lv 3:4, 10, 16 (on the form of עֲלֵי, עָלַי, etc., v. Köii. 390 ff., and cf. sub עַד). e.g. Genesis 49:17
- 1. Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed; as על־הארץ upon the earth Gn 1:11, 26; 7:6, etc., ψ 110:6 על ארץ רבה over a wide country; על האדמה upon the ground Ex 20:12 + often, Am 7:12 עַל אֲדָמָה טְמֵאָה, Is 14:2 על אדמת י׳, ψ 137:4 עַל אַדְמַת נֵכָר (אֲדָמָה being properly ground, soil, is construed regularly with על, באדמה being very rare), more definitely על פני האדמה Gn 6:1; Nu 12:3 + often; על מקום Lv 14:28; Je 45:5 (uncommon: usually בְּ); Dt 17:20; Is 9:6 עַל מַמְלַכְתּוֹ upon his realm, 2 Ch 1:1; עַל בָּֽתִּים very strangely Ho 11:11 (read וַהֲשִׁבֹתִים with 𝔊; v. 7 c α β); constantly after such vbs. as נוח, ישׁב, רכב, etc., Gn 8:4; Ex 11:5; כתב על to write (idiom.) on a book or other surface, Jos 10:13, etc.; יצא על go forth over Gn 41:45; Zc 5:3 ψ 81:6; with נִשְׁעַן, נִסְמַךְ, בָּטַח (fig.), to lean or trust upon: Gn 3:14 to go עַל גְּחֹנְךָ upon thy belly, 32:32 to limp עַל יְרֵכוֹ upon his thigh, 1 S 14:13; Ez 37:10; Ju 15:8 to smite שׁוֹק עַל יָרֵךְ leg upon thigh, i.e. so that the scattered limbs fall one upon another, Am 3:15. And with ref. not to a horizontal surface but to a side, Lv 1:5 + זָרַק עַל to pour against the altar, 1 K 6:5, 18 to build against the temple, Jos 10:27, etc. Fig. Ex 23:13 let it not be heard עַל פִּיךָ upon thy mouth (in out idiom, upon thy lips, as Pr 22:18), ψ 15:3 לֹא רָגַל עַל לְשֹׁנוֹ he slandereth not (i.e. prepares not slander) upon his tongue, 2 S 23:2 וּמִלָּתוֹ עַל לְשׁוֹנִי, Pr 16:23, 27; 31:26; Ec 5:1; cf. נָשָׂא עַל שְׂפָתַיִם or עַל פֶּה ψ 16:4; 50:16; Ez 36:3b. Specially e.g. Genesis 1:11
- a. —(a) of clothing, etc., which any one wears, Gn 37:23 the tunic אשׁר עליו which was upon him, Jos 9:5; 1 K 11:30; Ru 3:15 +; Gn 24:30; 38:30; 2 S 13:18, of a sword 20:8 Ct 3:8; so הָיָה עַל Lv 16:4; Dt 22:5; Ez 44:18; 1 Ch 15:27; 18:7 (‖ 2 S 8:7 אֶל: see p. 41 a); cf. לֹא יַעֲלֶה עָלֶיךָ Lv 19:19; Ez 44:17, and with הֶעֱלָה, below, 7 b. (b) With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it (‘upon’ referred to a side): v. גָּנַן, כָּסָה, סָכַךְ, עַטָה; Ne 2:8 יד אלהי הטובה עלי, cf. v 18 Ezr 7:6, 9; 8:18, 22, 31; Ex 27:21 the veil that is over (i.e. before) the testimony, 1 S 25:16 חוֹמָה הָיוּ עַלֵינוּ they were a wall about us; סָגַר עַל to shut in (or down) upon Ex 14:3; Jb 12:14; Ez 13:5; Jb 13:27; 26:9; 36:30 he spreadeth his light עַלָיו about him. e.g. Genesis 37:23
- b. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him, Is 1:14 הָיוּ עַלַי לָטֹרַח they are a cumbrance upon me, Jb 7:20 I am a burden עָלַי upon myself, 2 S 15:33 (cf. with אֶל 19:36); כָּבַד עַל to be heavy upon Ex 5:9 al. (v. כָּבַד); of sin, calamity, etc. Is 53:5; Ez 33:10 ψ 88:8; Jb 21:9; 2 Ch 15:5; 28:13; Ec 6:1; 8:6 (cf. 5 a β); Lv 7:20 וְטֻמְאָתוֹ עָלָיו 22:3: idiomatically, Gn 48:7 מֵתָה עָלַי רָחֵל Rachel died upon me (i.e. to my sorrow), 33:13 וְהַבָּקָר עָלוֹת עָלַי are giving suck upon me (i.e. as a care to me), Nu 11:13 יִבְכּוּ עָלַי they weep upon me (vexing me), Ju 14:16, 17; 19:2 (v. Be), 1 S 21:16 to play the mad man upon me, Je 12:11. e.g. Isaiah 1:14
- c. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him, as שָׂם עַל to lay upon Ex 5:8; 21:22, 30 (שָׁת), 22:24, cf. Gn 47:26; 2 Ch 35:25; with other verbs, Jb 38:10; Dt 24:5; 26:6; 2 K 15:20; 18:14; 23:33; Ne 10:33(×2) Est 1:8; 9:21, 27, 31; with צִוָּה enjoin upon Gn 2:16 + often, כתב prescribe to 2 K 22:13 ψ 40:8, נטשׁ cast upon 1 S 17:20 (v 22 על יד), נתן על יד (fig.) Gn 42:37; 2 K 12:12; 22:5, cf. 1 K 14:27, עזב ψ 10:14, גלל 37:5, השׁליך 55:23, פקד Jb 34:13 al.; Gn 30:28 נָקְבָה שְׂכָֽרְךָ עָלַי fix thy wages upon me (name thy wages to me), 34:12 הַרְבּוּ עָלַי מְאֹד מֹהַר וּמַתָּן multiply upon me, etc., 2 S 19:39 (pregn.) whatsoever thou choosest (and layest) upon me; without a verb, Ju 19:20 רַק כָּל־מַחְסֹרְךָ עָלָ֑י only let all thy wants be upon me, Ezr 10:4 ψ 56:13 עָלַי נְדָרֶיךָ thy vows are upon me (i.e. I owe them: cf. Nu 30:7, 9, 15), Pr 7:14 זִבְחֵי שְׁלָמִים עָלָ֑י peace-offerings were upon me (= were due from me); perhaps ψ 62:1; 77:1 (to the charge of); with an inf. 2 S 18:11 וְעָלַי לָתֵת and it would have been incumbent on me to give, etc., 1 K 4:7; Ezr 10:12 (accents [Baer], RVm), Ne 13:13, cf. Zc 12:2 (Ew RVm); Nu 7:9 (P) the service of … was upon them, Ez 45:17, so especially late 1 Ch 9:27, 33; 23:31; 2 Ch 2:3 לעולם זאת על ישׂראל, 8:15; 24:9; Ezr 7:11; Ne 11:23; Is 9:5 and the government is upon his shoulder (cf. 22:22), 2 Ch 25:3; ψ 7:11 מָֽגִנִּי עַל־א׳ my shield rests upon God (he has undertaken my defence), 62:8 על־אלהים יִשְׁעִי וּכְבֹדִי. e.g. Exodus 5:8
- d. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him: ψ 42:6 why art thou cast down, O my soul, וַתֶּהֱמִי עָלַי and disquieted upon me? v 7 my soul upon me is cast down, v 12 43:5; La 3:20; ψ 131:2 כְּגָמֻל עֲלֵי אִמּוֹ כַּגָּמוּל עָלַי נַפְשִׁי is my soul upon me; 142:4 בְּהִתְעַטֵּף עָלַי רוּחִי when my spirit faints upon me, 143:4; Jon 2:8; Je 8:18 עָלַי לִבִּי דַוָּֽי׃ my heart upon me is sick, Jb 14:22(×2) (cf. Di), Hos 11:8 נהפך עלי לבי my heart is turned (altered) upon me, 1 S 17:32; 25:36; Ne 5:7 וַיִּמָּלֵךְ לִבִּי עָלַי and my heart took counsel upon me: cf. ψ 42:5 I will pour out my soul upon me, Jb 30:16; 10:1 אעזבה עלי שׂיחי I will let loose my complaint upon me. (Thes apud me, mecum. The rend. ‘within me’ alters entirely the point of view of the Heb. expression, and is incorrect.) Denoting with some emph. the subj. of an experience, Jb 30:2 עלימו אבד כָּ֑לַח, Dn 2:1 his sleep נִהְיְתָה עָלָיו was done with upon him (cf. Aramaic 6:19 נַדַּת עֲלוֹהִי), 10:8 וְהוֹדִי נְהְפַּךְ עָלַי (cf. 5:9; 7:28): also, rather differently, Lv 18:18b; Je 49:20 אִם לֹא יַשִּׁים עֲלֵיהֶם נְוֵהֶם, Mi 7:13 ψ 90:17b; ψ 7:9 according to my perfectness upon me, Ez 18:20; 22:3; 2 Ch 36:8. e.g. Psalms 42:6
- e. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support; cf. Is 3:1, and ζῆν ἐπί τινος), Dt 8:3 עַל־הַלֶּחֶם, Is 38:16 (cf. Hi), Gn 27:40 על חרבך תחיה upon (= by) thy sword thou shalt live (cf. Kazwiniii. 17 ap. Tuch), Ez 33:19, cf. v 26. e.g. Isaiah 3:1
- f. Of the ground, or basis, on which a thing is done, as Gn 24:9 על הדבר הזה, Lv 7:12 if he offers it עַל תּוֹדָה on the ground of a thanksgiving, Nu 6:21 עַל נִזְרוֹ, v b Ez 16:15; 28:17; Dn 8:25 עַל שִׂכְלוֹ, 9:18 על צדקותינו (with عَلَى this use is extended so as to denote explicitly on condition of). Hence (a) the basis being conceived as regulative, על comes to denote the norm or standard (cf. Germ. ‘auf die Art’; WAG ii. § 59 i): the transition may be seen in a passage like Ex 24:8 the covenant which י׳ made with you on the basis of (על), or in agreement with, all these words (cf. על פי 34:27), Nu 35:24 על המשׁפטים האלה, Dt 17:11; Je 30:18 the palace shall sit (i.e. be inhabited: v. ישׁב) עַל מִשְׁפָּטוֹ in accordance with its manner, ψ 94:20 who frames mischief עֲלֵי־חֹק in accordance with a law, על פי … according to the mouth (i.e. command, Gn 45:21 + often, evidence Dt 17:6; 19:15, sentence 21:5) of …; עַל שֵׁם … according to the name of … (mostly with call, be called) Gn 48:6; Ex 28:21; 2 S 18:18 +, cf. 1 Ch 23:14; Ex 6:26; 12:51 עַל צִבְאֹתָם according to their hosts (usually לְ), Nu 1:18 על משׁפחתם (usually לְ), v 52 2:2, 34; 7:3 (‖ ל), Dt 18:8 (prob.); עַל יְדֵי according to the hands (direction) of Je 5:31; 33:13 al. (v. p. 391 b); ψ 110:4 עַל דִּבְרָתִי מ׳ after the manner of M.; Pr 25:11 (prob.) a word spoken עַל אָפְנָיו in accordance with its circumstances = appositely; of the tune according to which a song is to be sung (RV. set to) ψ 6:1 (1 Ch 15:21), 8:1; 9:1; 12:1; 45:1; 46:1 (1 Ch 15:20) עַל־עֲלָמוֹת (perhaps, however, in the manner of maidens = for ‘sopranos’), 53:1; 56:1; 60:1; 69:1; 81:1; 84:1; 88:1 (cf. in Syriac ܥܰܠ ܩܳܠܴܐ ܕ). (b) The basis being conceived as involving the ground, על denotes the cause or reason, on account of, because of, Gn 20:3 lo thou shalt die עַל הָאִשָּׁה on account of the woman, 21:12; 26:7, 9; 27:41; 42:21; Lv 4:3, 28; 5:18; 19:17; 26:18, 24, 28; Dt 9:18; 24:16 fathers shall not be put to death על־בנים on account of children, 31:18; Jos 9:20; Je 1:16; 5:9; Ez 18:26 עליהם (‖ 33:18 בָּהֶם), Pr 28:21 ψ 39:12; 50:8 + often; ψ 44:23 עָלֶיךָ הֹרַגְנוּ on thy account are we slain all the day, 69:8; Je 15:15; in the phrases עַל דְּבַר …, עַל אוֹדוֹת, עַל זֹאת and עַל זֶה on this account, עַל מָה on what account? עַל־כֵּן = therefore (v. דָּבָר, אוֹדָה, etc.); before an inf., as Ex 17:7 וְעַל נַסּוֹתָם אֶת־י׳ and on account of their trying י׳, Am 1:3 עַל דּוּשָׁם on account of their threshing = because they threshed, v 6, 9, 11, 13, etc., Je 2:35 עַל אָמְרֵךֶ because of thy saying, 9:12; 16:18 +; and as a conj. both with and without אֲשֶׁר or כִּי (v. infr. III). And so often of the ground or cause of fear, grief, delight, or other emotions, e.g. Ex 18:9; 32:14 (נִחַם repent: so often), 1 S 4:13; 30:6; 2 S 1:26; 3:8; 1 K 21:4; 2 K 6:11; Je 10:19 Am 6:6. (c) Somewhat more strongly, on behalf of, for the sake of, Gn 19:17 escape על נפשׁך for thy life; Ju 9:17; 2 K 10:3 נִלְחַם עַל (usually ל); 1 K 2:18 I will speak on thy behalf to the king, v 19 (2 K 4:13 לְ); Est 4:16; 4:8; 7:7; 8:11; 9:16; Dn 12:1 עמד על stand up (in late Heb.) on behalf of; התפלל על intercede for (usually בעד) Jb 42:8; Ne 1:6; 2 Ch 30:18; 29:21 Ezr 8:35; and very often with כִּפֶּר (q.v.) make atonement for. (Not very common with other verbs.) (d) Sometimes it acquires almost a final force, for; Ex 12:4; 29:36; 30:16; Dt 27:13 these shall stand עַל־הַקְּלָלָה (‖ v 12 לְבָרֵךְ), ψ 89:48 עַל־מַה־שָּׁוְא בָּרָאתָ כָל־בְּנֵי־אָדָם unto what vanity hast thou created, etc.! Pr 29:5b; 2 Ch 23:18; Ec 3:17. (e) Of a condition, or attendant circumstances (rare; so عَلَى, WAG ii. § 59 e): ψ 50:5 עֲלֵי זָ֑נַח ׃ upon, with sacrifice, 92:4 עֲלֵי עָשׂוֹר וגו׳ with a ten-stringed instr., with a harp, with sounding music on a lyre; עַל רִיב upon occasion of a lawsuit Ex 23:2; Ez 44:24, עַל יוֹם טוֹב 1 S 25:8 (cf. عَلَى حِينِ at a time of … Qor 28:14), Ne 12:22 (? read עַד BeRy), Is 18:4 כְּחֹם צַח עֲלֵי אוֹר at time of sunshine, 64:11 עַל אֵלֶּה, Je 8:18 עֲלֵי יָגוֹן at time of sorrow, 16:7 (but Gie עַל אָבֵל to): with abstr. substs. to form a periphr. for adverbs, Lv 5:22 and swear עַל שֶׁקֶר upon falseness = falsely, Je 6:14 = 8:11 to heal a wound עַל נְקַלָּה lightly, easily, ψ 31:24 עַל יֶתֶר = abundantly, Is 60:7 עַל רָצוֹן = acceptably (cf. عَلَى لَذَّةٍ = with delight). (f) It hence acquires the force of in spite of, notwithstanding (so عَلَى, WAG ii. § 59 h), Jb 10:7 עַל דַּעְתְּךָ in spite of thy knowing, 34:6 על משׁפטי notwithstanding my right I am to be a liar (Di De Da RV: otherwise Hi RVm). cf. below, III c b. (g) Upon, concerning, with vbs. of speaking, as דִּבֶּר Ju 9:3; 1 K 5:13, אָמַר Je 16:3; 27:19 (‖ אל) 33:4, hearing Gn 41:15 שָׁמַעְתִּי עָלֶיךָ I have heard concerning thee, saying, etc., 1 K 10:6; Is 37:9 (‖ 2 K 19:9 אל), disputing Gn 26:21, telling 1 S 27:11; Jo 1:3, commanding 2 S 14:8; 1 K 11:10, being vexed 21:4; 2 K 6:11, crying 8:5, confessing ψ 32:5 Ne 1:6; of the object of a prophecy or vision 1 K 22:8; Is 1:1; 2:1; and often with similar verbs. (h) In a somewhat weaker sense, in the matter of, as regards, Gn 41:32 וְעַל הִשָּׁנוֹת הַחֲלוֹם, Ex 22:8; Ru 4:7; Lv 5:22, 26; Dn 9:14b; Ne 9:33; חָטָא עַל Lv 4:14 (‖ בָּהּ v 23, cogn. acc. v 28), 5:5; Nu 6:11; Ne 13:26; … עַל־דְּבַר in the matter of, Nu 25:18; 31:16. e.g. Genesis 24:9
- 2. It expresses excess (synon. מִן q.v.); Gn 48:22 I give thee שְׁכֶם אַחַד עַל אַחֶיךָ one shoulder (ridge) above thy brethren, Ex 16:5 מִשְׁנֶה על double above or beyond, Nu 3:46 Dt 25:3 stripes עַל־אֵלֶּה beyond these, Jos 3:15 Jordan מָלֵא עַל was full over all its banks (cf. 4:18 Is 8:7b הלך על, עלה), ψ 138:2 Ec 1:16 Dn 1:20 עֶשֶׂר יָדוֹת עַל ten times above (cf. in Aramaic 3:19, and عَلَى Qor 37:153), Ezr 1:6 †לְבַד עַל = beside (v. בַּד); ψ 16:2 (si vera l.) טוֹבָתִי בַל עָלֶיךָ my welfare is not beyond thee, i.e. does not lie outside thee.—Of time, Lv 15:25 if she has an issue עַל נִדָּתָהּ beyond her time of impurity (cf. Is 32:10, 4 b). e.g. Genesis 48:22
- 3. It denotes elevation or pre-eminence, as עליון על high (fig.) above, Dt 26:19 al., 28:43 יעלה עליך will go up above thee, cf. Pr 31:29; ψ 57:6, 12 be thou exalted above the heavens, 89:8; 95:3; 96:4, etc., Ne 9:5; with words (q.v.) such as גבר, גדל, חזק, נשׂא (Ni. Pi. Hithp.), עזז, and especially those denoting rule or superintendence, as מלך, הפקיד; so with שָׁת, היה, נתן, Gn 41:33, 40, 43, שׂם 1 S 18:5; with פָּקִיד, שַׂר, מֶלֶךְ, etc., Gn 41:34; Ex 1:11; 18:21, etc.; abs. 2 S 8:16 Joab was על־הצבא over the host, 20:23b, 24 1 K 4:4–6; 5:30; Nu 10:14 ff. 1 Ch 9:23, 26ff.; 27:25ff.; 2 Ch 30:17; 31:12; אֲשֶׁר עַל בֵּיתוֹ of Joseph’s steward Gn 43:16, 19; 44:1, 4; and in the official titles אּשֶׁר עַל־הַבַּיִת = the Governor of the Palace Is 22:15 al. (v. בַּיִת 6); אֲשֶׁר עַל־הַמַּס the overseer of the forced labour 1 K 12:18; אשׁר על־העיר the governor of the city 2 K 10:5, אשׁר על המלתחה v 22. e.g. Deuteronomy 26:19
- 4. It expresses addition (cf. ἐπὶ in Gk., e.g. ἐπὶ τούτοις); viz.
- a. introducing the complement of a verb, as with יָסַף to add upon or to, ψ 61:7 + often (v. יָסַף), שָׁת to put to Gn 30:40, נִלְוָה to be joined to Nu 18:2, 4; Is 14:1 (also c. אֶל), נָפַל to fall to, i.e. desert to, Je 21:9 +, עבר to pass over to Ex 30:13, 14; Is 45:14 (cf. 60:5); also Hb 2:16 תִּסֹּב כּוֹס עַל La 4:21, Est 4:7; נֶחְשַׁב to be reckoned to Lv 25:31; 2 S 4:2, היה על Nu 36:12; ψ 69:28 תְּנָה עָוֹן עַל עֲוֹנָם, Is 56:8 עוֹד אֲקַבֵּץ עָלָיו I will yet gather (others) unto him. e.g. Psalms 61:7
- b. Used absol., as Gn 28:9 he took Maḥalath עַל נָשָׁיו in addition to his (other) wives, 31:50 (cf. אל Lv 18:18), Nu 31:8 עַל חַלְלֵיהֶם in addition to their slain (‖ Jos 13:22 אֶל), Dt 23:14; Ez 16:37, 43; 25:10; Is 32:10 יָמִים עַל שָׁנָה days upon, in addition to, a year, 2 Ch 21:15 יָמִים עַל יָמִים, Ez 7:26 הֹוָה עַל הֹוָה תָבוֹא (‖ אל), Je 4:20 (if נִקְרָא = be proclaimed), Jb 16:14 יִפְרְצֵנִי פֶרֶץ עַלאפְּנֵי־פָ֑רֶץ (cf. LagM iii. 112; also Il. 14:130 ἕλκος ἐφʼ ἕλκει, Odyss. 7:120f., Qor 31:13). So often in laws of P (cf. c), Lv 7:12 he shall offer עַל־זֶבַח הַתּוֹדָה in addition to the sacrifice of thanksgiving, etc., v 13b Nu 6:20; 15:9; 28:10, 15, 24 (cf. מִלְּבַד v 31 29:6), 35:6; Ez 16:43 (Hi Sm RV: cf. 44:7 אל). e.g. Genesis 28:9
- c. Hence by an easy transition it denotes together with, with, Ex 35:22 men together with (עַל) women, Jb 38:32 וְעַיִשׁ עַל־בָּנֶיהָ תַנְחֵם and the Bear with her children, wilt thou lead them? 1 K 15:20; Je 3:18 the house of Isr. with the house of Judah, Mi 5:2 (Ca Ke Kue; but al. as 7 c a), Gn 32:12 lest he come and smite me, אֵם עַל בָּנִים the mother with the children (cf. Ho 10:14 Dt 22:6); and as a techn. term in the regulations for sacrifice, especially with אכל, Ex 12:8 עַל־מְרֹרִים יֹאכְלֻהוּ together with bitter herbs they shall eat it, v 9 his head with (על) his legs, etc., Nu 9:11; Dt 16:3 לֹא־תֹאכָל עָלָיו חָמֵץ (cf. Ex 23:18; 34:25), v 3; in the phrase אכל על הדם to eat with the blood 1 S 14:32, 33 (v 34 אל), Lv 19:26; Ez 33:25 (cf. in Gk. e.g. ἐπὶ τῷ σίτῳ πίνειν ὕδωρ); see also Lv 2:2, 16; 3:4 (so v 10, 15 4:9; 7:4), 4:11; 7:13a, 30; 10:15; 14:31; 23:18, 20; Nu 6:17; 19:5; 1 Ch 7:4. e.g. Exodus 35:22
- 5. It expresses the idea of being suspended, or extended, over anything, without however being in contact with it, above, over: Gn 1:20 let fowl fly over the earth, 19:23 השׁמשׁ יצא על had come forth upon the earth (cf. זרח על Ex 22:2 +; בא על go down [set] upon Dt 24:15 Mi 3:6; Jb 25:3), Nu 10:34; 14:14 and thy cloud stood עליהם over them, Dt 28:23 the heavens על־ראשׁך above thy head, Is 4:5; 60:1, 2; Zp 2:11; Zc 9:14 ψ 7:8 over it return thou on high, Jb 29:3 בְּהִלּוֹ נֵרוֹ עֲלֵי רֹאשִׁי (cf. דעך על be extinguished over, 18:6), Ct 2:4 his banner over me: fig. of protection Dt 32:38 ψ 68:35: with vbs. of motion (expressed or implied), נשׁקף על to incline over 1 S 13:18 +, נטה ידו על Ex 14:16; Is 23:11 + (cf. ψ 21:12), הניף על to swing over Is 11:15; 19:16; השׁמיע על to proclaim over Je 4:16; Am 3:9, cf. Nu 10:10; 2 Ch 13:12, נקרא שׁם על a name to be called over 2 S 12:28 + (v. קרא). e.g. Genesis 1:20
- 6. From the sense of inclining or impending over, על comes to denote contiguity or proximity, Engl. by (or sometimes on):—
- a. in designating localities, especially those beside water, Gn 14:6 עַל־הַמִּדְבָּר by the wilderness, 16:7 עַל עֵין הַמַּיִם by the spring of water, 24:13, 30; 29:2 three flocks lying עָלֶיהָ by it (the well), 41:1 Nu 3:26; 13:29 על־הים by the sea, 22:5; 24:6 gardens עֲלֵי נָהָר Dt 3:12; 33:8; Ju 5:19; 7:1; 1 S 1:9 על מזוזת היכל י׳ (Ez 46:2), 4:1; 2 K 2:7 and they stood על־הירדן by the Jordan, 25:4 Is 19:7; 38:20 ψ 1:3 planted by water-courses, Je 17:2, 8; Jb 30:4; 31:9 על פתח by the entrance, Pr 14:19, + often.; על הדרך by the way Gn 38:21; 1 S 24:4; Ez 48:24ff. על גבולו adjoining his border; עבר על to pass by a place 1 K 9:18; Je 18:16 +, fig. עבר על פשׁע to pass by transgression, i.e. to overlook it, Mi 7:18 al.: על יְמִין … on the right of … ψ 110:5 +, עַל יַד …, עַל יֶרֶךְ …, עַל כֶּתֶף … on the side of … (see these words): less freq. (except as c) with ref. to persons, Nu 2:5 וְהַחֹנִים עָלָיו and those encamping next him, v 12, 20, 27 6:9 וכי ימות מת עליו, 2 K 11:11 by the king round about (cf. Nu 3:26 supr.), עבר על פ׳ Gn 18:5; 2 K 4:9 +. e.g. Genesis 14:6
- b. 2 S 9:7, 10 to eat bread עַל שֻׁלְחַן פּ׳ at any one’s table, Ex 16:3 when we sat עַל־סִיר הַבָּשָׂר, 1 S 20:24 Kt to sit עַל־חַלֶּהֶם at meat; 25:13; 30:24 to remain עַל־הַכֵּלִים; Pr 23:30 to tarry long על־היין at (or over) the wine, Jb 39:9 עַל־אֲבוּסֶֽךָ ׃ at thy crib: cf. הַיּוֹשֵׁב עַל הַמִּשְׁפָּט Is 28:6. e.g. 2 Samuel 9:7
- c. Idiomatically, with עָמַד and נִצַּב to stand by (lit. over,—orig. no doubt with ref. to one supposed to be seated), Gn 18:2 three men נִצָּבִים עָלָיו standing by him, v 8 and he עֹמֵד עליו standing by him under the tree, 24:30 by the camels, 28:13; 1 S 4:20; 2 S 1:9; 20:11, 12; Am 7:7; especially of persons standing about a superior, as servants or courtiers, Gn 45:1; Ju 3:19; 1 S 22:6, 7, 17, of persons surrounding a judge Ex 18:13, 14, of י׳’s heavenly ministers, 1 K 22:19 (cf. Is 6:2 ממעל לו), Zc 4:14, and with התיצב 6:5 Jb 1:6; 2:1; also of one standing by (proposes leaning over) an altar or sacrifice Nu 23:3, 6; 1 K 13:1 (cf. 7 b); Am 9:1; of an Ashérah by an altar Ju 6:25, 28 (cf. אֵצֶל Dt 16:21) ortree Je 17:2; cf. 2 S 12:17 (קום) Ex 2:15; 2 S 2:13 (ישׁב). e.g. Genesis 18:2
- 7. In connexion with verbs of motion (actual or fig.):—
- a. of motion from a higher place downwards, down upon: thus (a) המטיר על to rain upon Gn 2:5; 19:24, ירד על 15:11, יצק על to pour upon Gn 28:18, נפל על צוארי פ׳ Gn 33:4, נפל על פניו to fall on his (own) face 17:3, 17, שׂם על to put upon, 21:14; 22:6, 9; 24:47 (v 22 Sam Di), נתן על כף to place on the hand of … 40:11, 21, השׁליך על 2 S 20:12, etc.; cf. Jb 29:22 וְעָלֵימוֹ תִּטֹּף מִלָּתִי, Mi 3:5; Na 3:12. (b) In diff. fig. connexions, as of sleep falling upon one, Gn 2:21; 15:12; of fear 9:2; 1 S 11:7 (v. פַּחַד, חֲרָדָה, אֵימָה); of good or bad fortune, especially the latter, coming upon one, as with בוא and הביא, Gn 27:12; Dt 28:2 (in good sense), v 15, Je 5:12; 19:3 (רעה, as often); of retribution, reproach, the Divine wrath, etc., with diff. verbs (הביא, נתן, ירד, חול, היה, etc.), as Gn 20:9; Nu 12:11 חטאה; Gn 42:36 עָלַי הָיוּ כֻלָּנָה upon me are they all; Nu 18:5 + (היה קֶצֶף על); Dt 19:10 דם (cf. אל 2 S 21:2 𝔊 We Dr), Ju 9:24; 1 K 2:32; 2 S 16:8; Ho 12:15; 2 S 3:29; 15:14; 1 S 11:2 חרפה; Je 14:16; 26:15 דם נקי (‖ אל), Jon 1:14; Ez 7:3, 4, 8; 23:49; 36:29; ψ 7:17; 94:2, 23; 109:5 וישׂימו עלי רעה תחת טובה (lay upon me: but Hu וישיבו, Pr 17:13), 140:11; שָׁפַךְ חֵמָה על Ez 7:8 + often; without a verb, Gn 16:5 חֲמָסִי עָלֶיךָ my wrong be upon thee, Je 51:35 (‖ אל); Gn 27:13 עלי קללתך; 38:29 (accents, RVm); 2 S 1:16 דמיך על ראשׁך; 14:9 עָלַי הֶעָוֹן; Is 24:17; Je 48:43; 50:27; Ez 13:3; הוֹי עַל …; ψ 55:16 Kt.; of a blessing, Ex 32:29 ψ 3:9, a curse Dt 30:7, mercies (prob. conceived spec. as descending from heaven) ψ 33:22; 86:13; 90:17; 103:17 (with גבר be mighty over or upon, v 11 117:2), 116:12; 145:9; Ezr 3:11, שׁלום ψ 125:5; 128:6; 1 Ch 22:9. (c.) Introducing the object upon which an action, or emotion, especially if accompanied by a gesture, is conceived as being directed (but with some of these words, especially when they refer to an event, rather than a person, as Ex 18:9, על is to be explained from 1 f b). Thus with verbs denoting the manifestation of joy or giref, as שׂושׂ to rejoice over, גיל, שׂמח, התענג, התפאר, שׂחק, אבל, ספד, שׁמם, בכה Ju 11:37 +, נשׂא (משׁל) קינה to take up a lament, or proverb, over (see these words); prob. also in הִנָּבֵא על prophecy over Ez 11:4; 13:17 +; with חוּס, חָמַל, רִחַם to shew compassion on (cf. 1 K 3:26 [Gn 43:30 אל], Ct 5:4 [Je 31:20 ל]); with שׁמר, שׁקד, הֵעִיר (Jb 8:6) to guard or watch over; with יעץ to counsel upon Is 14:26 +, חשׁב to devise (usually in bad sense, Je 29:11 in good), דִּבֶּר (רעה Je 11:17 +, טובה 18:20; 32:42), הֵקִים דָּבָר Je 29:10. Of more distinctly phys. acts, with בכה to weep on Gn 45:14, 15 +, שׁרק to hiss, ספק or תקע כף to clap the hand, הִכָּה כף Ez 22:13 (‖ אל); Is 5:30 to growl over, 31:4 Ez 36:2; Jb 30:5; הִתְוַדָּה to confess over (the goat), Lv 16:21; Ex 30:10a (prob.); Dt 21:6; Jb 6:27; 40:30. e.g. Genesis 2:5
- b. From a lower place upwards, up upon, up to, as עלה על to go up upon: Ex 20:26; 1 S 2:28; 1 K 12:33b; 2 K 16:12b; 2 Ch 1:6 (an altar, i.e. to a ledge beside it; cf. 2 K 23:9, and ירד Lv 9:22; 1 K 1:53); Ju 9:51; Is 14:14; 40:9, etc.; to come up upon (in diff. connexions) Ex 10:12; Lv 16:9 (fig.), 19:19; 1 S 1:11; 6:7; 1 K 10:16, 17; fig. עלה על לב Is 65:17 + (v. לב, לבב, 3 d); in Hiph. 1 K 20:23 וַיַּעֲלֵהוּ עַל הַמֶּרְכָּבָה, Am 8:10 (cf. 1 a a), 2 S 1:24; Ez 37:6 ψ 137:6 (fig.), 2 Ch 3:5, 14 (= ornamented with); Dt 28:61 (cf. Ex 15:26b); 2 Ch 20:34 the history of Jehu which הֹעֲלָה עַל was brought up upon (i.e. inserted in) the book of, etc. (cf. 32:32; and כתב על supr. 1); cf. נטה יד על־השׁמים up to heaven Ex 9:22; 10:21; 17:16. e.g. Exodus 20:23
- c. Expressing direction towards (not common, except in sense against: v. infr.)—(a) with verbs of motion, properly of a person (or thing) moving to another so as either to stand above, or rest upon, it (cf. PuseyMin. Pr. 333), Ex 34:12 הארץ אשׁר אתה בא עליה (simil., of a land, or place, 18:23 Nu 11:12; 1 K 2:26 עֲנָתֹת לֵךָ עַל־שָׂדֶיךָ, Ez 32:9; Je 3:18b; 16:13; 22:26, and after שׁוּב or הֵשִׁיב 16:15; 22:27; 23:3; 24:6 [but אֶל 27:22; 30:3 al.], Ez 29:14; Gn 40:13 וֶהֱשִׁיבְךָ עַל־כַּנֶּ֑ךָ, 41:13, 30:33 כִּי תָבֹא עַל שְׂכָרִי to view my hire; Lv 21:11; Nu 6:6 בא על נפשׁ מֵת to come in upon a corpse; בא על אשׁה Gn 19:31; Dt 25:5 (usually אל); Jos 3:16 מַיִם יֹרְדִים עַל יָם, Ez 47:8; 1 K 18:12 יִשָּֽׂאֲךָ עַל־אֲשֶׁר לֹא־אֵדָ֑ע, ψ 19:7; 2 K 16:12; 2 Ch 20:24; Is 53:1 upon whom (coming from above) was י׳’s arm revealed? 62:10 הרימו נֵס על העמים over towards (but 49:22 אל): but often it is dub. if this force is perceptible; and in gen. על in such cases seems to be used merely as a syn.—perhaps as a slightly more graphic syn.—of אֶל (cf. p. 41); in the later language, also, it may be due partly to the infl. of Aramaic, which does not use אֶל; thus (α) with a personal obj., with assemble or be assembled, Ex 32:1; 2 S 17:11; 1 K 8:5; 11:24; 2 K 22:20 (2 Ch 34:28 and usually אל), 2 Ch 13:7, עלה Gn 38:12; Jos 2:8; 1 S 14:10 (v 9, 12 אל), עבר 1 S 14:4 (v 1 אל), בא 2 S 15:4 (v. Dr) 1 Ch 12:23f., יצא 2 K 24:12, הוליך 25:20, נגע Ju 20:34, 41 (cf. Is 6:7; Je 1:9), נס Is 10:3, הלך 22:15 (אל … על), נשׂא 30:6, שׁלח 2 K 18:27 (אל … על … על: ‖ Is 36:12אל … אל … על), Je 26:15; 29:31; 1 Ch 13:2; 2 Ch 28:16; 30:1; 32:9, 31; 36:15; Ne 6:3, נגשׁ Ez 9:6, שׁב, השׁיב Ne 4:6; Ml 3:24 (v. c), sq. על י׳ 2 Ch 15:4; 30:9, התיצּב 2 Ch 11:13; letters going על פ׳ Ne 2:7; 6:17a (v b אל). (β) of places, Gn 24:49; 2 S 2:19 + על ימין to the right; with הלך 1 S 2:11; 1 K 20:43 על־ביתו (21:4 אל), 2 S 15:20 ואני הולך על אשׁר אני הולך, Je 1:7; Ez 1:20 (v 12 אל), הוליך 1 K 1:38 (v 33 אל), נהר Mi 4:1 (‖ Is 2:2 אל), Je 31:12 (אל … על), נגשׁ Ez 44:13 (‖ אל), עלה 1 S 24:23; 2 S 19:1 1 K 6:8 (‖ אל), Ez 41:7, בא Je 14:3; 51:51, (על הר) הביא Is 66:20 (56:7 אל), ירד Je 36:12, הִטָּה Pr 21:1, הסיר 2 S 6:10 (‖ 1 Ch 13:13 אל), נתן Is 29:12 (v 11 אל) Mi 1:14; 3:5; Gn 42:37, השׁיב, שׁב, Nu 33:7; Je 11:10 (fig., עַל עֲוֹנוֹת), ψ 35:13 Jb 34:15 (Gn 3:19 אל), Pr 26:11. Ec 1:6; 1 K 17:21, 22 (cf. 1 S 30:12 אל) השׁתחוה Lv 26:1 (prob.), Is 60:14; pregn. Is 24:22 אֻסְּפוּ עַל בּוֹר be collected (and delivered) into a dungeon: cf. חוּשׁ עַל Jb 31:5 (fig.), also to requite עַל־חֵיק Is 65:6; 7 Kt. (Je 32:18 ψ 79:12 אל). After נראה appear, ψ 90:16 (אל … על). And as far as, unto (nearly = עַל) Gn 49:13 וְיַרְכָתוֹ עַל צִידוֹן Jos 2:7; 18:13; 19:12; Je 31:39; Ez 47:18; 48:21, 28 ψ 48:11; 1 Ch 5:16. (b) With אמר say to, 2 K 22:8; Je 18:11 (אל … על), 22:6; 23:2, 35 (על … אל), 36:29; 44:20 (אל … על), דבר 1 S 1:13 (Gn 24:45 אל), 1 K 9:5; Ho 12:11; Je 6:10; 10:1; 11:2 (אל … על), speak to 25:2 (על … אל), 26:2, cf. Est 1:17, היה דבר י׳ Je 25:1; 1 Ch 22:8 cf. 11:10, ענה 2 S 19:43, קרא Is 34:14; 2 Ch 32:18, שִׁוַּע ψ 18:42, הֵרַע 1 K 17:20, שֹׁרֵר, שָׁר sing Pr 25:20; Jb 33:27, החליק Pr 29:5 (ψ 36:3 אל), התפלל 1 S 1:10, כתב 2 Ch 30:1; Ezr 4:7; Est 8:8, שׁמע 2 K 20:13 (= Is 39:2), 22:13; Je 23:16; 26:5; 35:18; Hg 1:12; v. also הקשׁיב, האזין, הבין, התבונן, השׂכיל. (c) Expressing (or implying) the direction of the mind, 2 S 14:1 לב המלך על אבשׁלם; Mal 3:24; Ezr 6:22; Ct 7:11 וְעָלַי תְּשׁוּקָתוֹ (Gn 3:16; 4:7 אל); שָׂם לִבּוֹ על Jb 1:8 (2:3 אל), 1 S 25:25 (אל … על); Je 22:17 thy eyes and thy heart are only (set) upon (על) …, 1 Ch 12:17; 1 K 1:20; 2 Ch 20:12 כִּי עָלֶיךָ עֵינֵינוּ (elsewhere אל), 1 K 2:15 עָלַי שָׂמוּ פניהם, ψ 146:5 שִׂבְרוֹ על י׳; Is 10:25 וְאַפִּי עַל־תַּבְלִיתָם be (directed) towards their destruction, Je 32:31 (Gf Ew: cf. RV); cf. שׁעה על look to (trustfully) Is 17:7; 31:1. (The uses a, b, c are all exceptional: אל would be regularly employed.) (d) With the force of over and towards (cf. 5 and 7 a b, end): ψ 65:5 נוֹרָא עֲלִילָה עַל; to shine, etc. on, ψ 31:17 הָאִירָה פָנֶיךָ עַל (Nu 6:25 אל); רָאָה עַל Ex 5:21; הוֹפִיעַ עַל Jb 10:3; וְשַׂמְתִּי עֵינִי עַל Am 9:4 + (cf. Jb 14:3; 24:3; 34:21); הִשְׁקִיף עַל look out over ψ 14:3 +. e.g. Exodus 34:12
- d. In a hostile sense, upon, against: so very often, after every kind of verb expressing or implying attack, as בא Gn 34:25, 27, נֶאֱסַף v 30, קצף to be angry 40:2, לון to murmur Ex 15:24, עמד stand up Lv 19:16 +, קָם rise up Dt 19:11; Am 7:9, נלחם Dt 20:10, חנה 1 S 11:1 ψ 27:3, עלה 2 K 17:3, חרה אף Zc 10:3 (usually בְּ), שׁפך סללה Is 37:33, צוּר besiege Dt 20:12, חשׁב to devise Gn 50:20; Je 11:19, דִּבֶּר Dt 13:6 +, etc.: add Jb 16:4(×2), 9, 10, 13; 19:12; 21:27; 30:12, etc.; היה על 2 S 11:23; Nu 31:3: הִנְנִי עָלַיִךְ (v. אֶל 4); note also Ju 9:31; 20:5: without a verb Is 9:20; Ju 16:12 פלשׁתים עליך the Philistines are upon thee, 20:9 עָלָיהָ בְּגוֹרָל Against it by lot! e.g. Genesis 34:25
- 8. By writers of the silver age, על is sometimes used with the force of a dative, 1 Ch 13:2 אִם עֲלֵיבֶם טוֹב (in classical Heb. בְּעֵינֵיבֶם) if it seems good to you, אִם עַל הַמֶּלֶךְ טוֹב †Ne 2:5, 7 Est 1:19; 3:9; 5:4, 8; 7:3; 8:5; 9:13 (cf. in Aramaic Ezr 5:17; 7:18); שָׁפַר עַל ψ 16:6 (cf. in Aramaic Dn 4:24); עָרַב עַל ψ 104:34 (elsewhere לְ); רַע עַל Ec 2:17 (v. De; cf. בְּאֵשׁ עַל Dn 6:15): comp. Jb 22:2 סָכַן על be profitable to, 33:23; also גָּמַל עַל (in both good and bad sense: v. גמל), Ne 5:19 עשׂה על, 9:30 משׁך על prolong (mercy) to; הִטָּה חֶסֶד עַל Ezr 7:28; 9:9 (Gn 39:21 אל): 1 S 20:8 read prob. עם for על. cf. Mish. חביב על, dear to; סני על hateful to; Syriac ܕܚܺܝܡ ܥܰܠ, ܡܩܰܒܰܠ ܥܰܠ, pleasant, acceptable to.—Comp. in gen. the uses of عَلَى,, WAG ii. § 59. e.g. 1 Chronicles 13:2
- 9. With other particles:—עַל אַהֲרֵי Ez 41:15; עַל בֵּין Ez 19:11 (cf. אל 31:10, 14); עַל לִפְנֵי Ez 40:15; עַל מֵעַל Ez 41:17 (text dub.), v 20; עַל עֵבֶר Ex 25:37 (cf. אל Ez 1:9, 12); עַל־כָּ֫כָה Est 9:26 (v. p. 462).—On עַל־יַד, עַל־יְדֵי, עַל פִּי, עַל־פְּנֵי, v. יָד, פֶּה, פָּנִים. e.g. Ezekiel 41:15
- 1. Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed; as על־הארץ upon the earth Gn 1:11, 26; 7:6, etc., ψ 110:6 על ארץ רבה over a wide country; על האדמה upon the ground Ex 20:12 + often, Am 7:12 עַל אֲדָמָה טְמֵאָה, Is 14:2 על אדמת י׳, ψ 137:4 עַל אַדְמַת נֵכָר (אֲדָמָה being properly ground, soil, is construed regularly with על, באדמה being very rare), more definitely על פני האדמה Gn 6:1; Nu 12:3 + often; על מקום Lv 14:28; Je 45:5 (uncommon: usually בְּ); Dt 17:20; Is 9:6 עַל מַמְלַכְתּוֹ upon his realm, 2 Ch 1:1; עַל בָּֽתִּים very strangely Ho 11:11 (read וַהֲשִׁבֹתִים with 𝔊; v. 7 c α β); constantly after such vbs. as נוח, ישׁב, רכב, etc., Gn 8:4; Ex 11:5; כתב על to write (idiom.) on a book or other surface, Jos 10:13, etc.; יצא על go forth over Gn 41:45; Zc 5:3 ψ 81:6; with נִשְׁעַן, נִסְמַךְ, בָּטַח (fig.), to lean or trust upon: Gn 3:14 to go עַל גְּחֹנְךָ upon thy belly, 32:32 to limp עַל יְרֵכוֹ upon his thigh, 1 S 14:13; Ez 37:10; Ju 15:8 to smite שׁוֹק עַל יָרֵךְ leg upon thigh, i.e. so that the scattered limbs fall one upon another, Am 3:15. And with ref. not to a horizontal surface but to a side, Lv 1:5 + זָרַק עַל to pour against the altar, 1 K 6:5, 18 to build against the temple, Jos 10:27, etc. Fig. Ex 23:13 let it not be heard עַל פִּיךָ upon thy mouth (in out idiom, upon thy lips, as Pr 22:18), ψ 15:3 לֹא רָגַל עַל לְשֹׁנוֹ he slandereth not (i.e. prepares not slander) upon his tongue, 2 S 23:2 וּמִלָּתוֹ עַל לְשׁוֹנִי, Pr 16:23, 27; 31:26; Ec 5:1; cf. נָשָׂא עַל שְׂפָתַיִם or עַל פֶּה ψ 16:4; 50:16; Ez 36:3b. Specially e.g. Genesis 1:11
- III. As conj.:
- a. עַל אֲשֶׁר because that … (cf. above, II 1 f b), Ex 32:35 and י׳ plagued the people על אשׁר עשׂו because they had made, etc., Nu 20:24; Dt 29:24 (in answer to על מה: so 1 K 9:9; Je 16:11; 22:9), 32:51(×2) 1 S 24:6; 2 S 3:30; 6:8; 8:10; 12:6 ψ 119:49 +. e.g. Exodus 32:35
- b. עַל כִּ׳ similar in meaning, but less frequent: †Dt 31:17; Ju 3:12; Je 4:28; Mal 2:14 ψ 139:14. e.g. Deuteronomy 31:17
- c. עַל alone: (a) because, †Gn 31:20 (E) עַל בְּלִי הִגִּיד, ψ 119:136 עַל לֹא. (b) notwithstanding that (above, 1 f f), although, †Is 53:9 עַל לֹא חָמָס עָשָׂה although he did no violence, Jb 16:17 עַל לֹא חָמָס בְּכַפָּ֑י. e.g. Genesis 31:20
- IV. Compounds:—
- 1. with כְּ (rare and late),
- a. as concerning, as upon †ψ 119:14 כְּעַל כָּל־הוֹן, 2 Ch 32:19. e.g. Psalms 119:14
- b. (pleon. for כְּ), † Is 59:18 כְּעַל גְּמֻלוֹת כְּעַל יְשַׁלֵּם the like of their deeds is the like of (that which) he will repay (כְּעַל repeated on the anal. of כְּ Nu 15:15; Ho 4:9: v. כְּ) = according to their deeds is (that which) he will repay, Is 63:7 according to. e.g. Isaiah 59:18
- 2. מֵעַל304 from upon, from over, from by—used with much delicacy of application in many different connexions, corresponding mostly with the different senses of על. Thus
- a. from upon idiomatically, when removal, motion, etc., from a surface is involved, as מעל האדמה, מעל פני האדמה from upon (the face of) the ground, usually with expel, destroy, perish, etc. Gn 4:14; 6:7; 7:4; Ex 32:12; Dt 6:15; 28:21:63 + often especially Je and compiler of K; to be lifted up מעל הארץ Gn 7:17 Ez 1:19, 21 +, to return or be dried (of water) מעל הארץ Gn 8:3, 7, 11, 13; to roll a stone מֵעַל פִּי הַבְּאֵר 29:3; of the cloud departing מעל האהל Nu 9:17; 12:10, cf. Ne 9:19; to rise up מֵעַל הַכִּסֵּא Ju 3:20; 1 K 2:4, מֵעַל מִשְׁכָּבוֹ 2 S 11:2; to alight (נָפַל) מֵעַל הַגָּמָל Gn 24:64 (cf. Jos 15:18 צנח, 1 S 25:23 ירד), ירד מֵעַל הַמֶּרְכָּבָה Ju 4:15; 2 K 5:21; (נפל); to take מֵעַל רֹאשׁ Gn 40:19 2 S 12:30, מֵעַל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ Lv 16:12; Nu 17:11; Is 6:6; to see מֵעַל הַגָּג 2 S 11:2; to shoot מֵעַל הַחוֹמָה v 20, 24; to speak מֵעַל הַכַּפֹּרֶת Ex 25:22; Nu 7:89; to cast down מֵעַל יָדַיִם Dt 9:17; Lv 8:28 (כַּפַּיִם); to break, remove, etc., a yoke (צוארך) מעל שׁכמך Gn 27:40; Is 10:27; Je 28:10, 11; to wipe tears מֵעַל כָּל־פָּנִים Is 25:8; to take a bandage מעל עיניו 1 K 20:41 (cf. על v 38); often of putting off a garment or ornament, as Gn 38:14, 19 וַתָּסַר צְעִיפָהּ מֵעָלֶיהָ, Ex 33:5 הוֹרֵד עֶדְיְךָ מֵעָלֶיךָ, a sandal Ex 3:5; Jos 5:15, a ring מֵעַל יָדוֹ Gn 41:42; to seek (דרשׁ), or hear, words מֵעַל הַסֵּפֶר Is 34:16; Je 36:11 (cf. כתב על ספר above); pregn. with בָּלָה to wear away (and fall) from off, Dt 8:4; 29:4, cf. of the bones or skin in disease Jb 30:17 עֲצָמַי נִקַּר מֵעָלָ֑י are pierced (and drop) from off me, v 30 עוֹרִי שָׁחַר מעלי is black (and falls) from off me; fig. 1 S 1:11 הָסִירִי יֵינֵךְ מֵעָלַיִךְ remove thy wine from off thee; Nu 14:9 סָר צִלָּם מֵעֲלֵיהֶם; Ju 16:19, 20 י׳ סר מעליו (with allusion to the hair, as the seat of Samson’s strength), 1 S 16:23 (cf. על in v 16). e.g. Genesis 4:14
- b. Of relief from a burden or trouble: as of a plague, stroke, rod, etc., removed from (resting) on one, Ex 10:17 וְיָסֵר מֵעָלַי אֶת־הַמָּוֶת הַזֶּה, Nu 21:7; 25:8 וַתֵּעָצַר הַמַּגֵּפָה מֵעַל ישׂר׳ (2 S 24:21, 25), ψ 39:11 הָסֵר מֵעָלַי נִגְעֶ֑ךָ, Jb 9:34; 13:21 Jo 2:20; of reproach Jos 5:9; Is 25:8 ψ 119:22, iniquity Ez 18:31; Zc 3:4, bloodguiltiness, 1 K 2:31, wrath Ju 8:3; Nu 25:11; Pr 24:18, murmurings Nu 17:21, 25; הֵקֵל מֵעַל to lighten from upon one Ex 18:22 +; Am 5:23 הָסֵר מֵעָלַי הֲמוֹן שִׁירֶיךָ; pregn. Jon 1:11, 12 that the sea יִשְׁתֹּק מֵעָלֵינוּ may be calm from off us; מֵעָלָיו שְׁעֵה look away from him Jb 14:6; to remove, etc., מֵעַל פָּנַי (v. פָּנִים); 1 S 6:20 to whom shall he go up מֵעָלֵינוּ from upon us (relieving us of his presence); so often of an army retiring from a country or raising a siege, 2 S 10:14 ויָּשָׁב יוֹאָב מֵעַל בְּנֵי עַמּוֹן, 20:21 וְאֵלְכָה מֵעַל הָעִיר, v 22 2 K 3:27; 18:14, especially with עָלָה, נַעֲלָה, 1 K 15:19; Je 21:2; 37:5, 11 +; 2 S 19:10 David fled מעל אבשׁלום from Absalom (whom his presence had encumbered), Ne 13:28 וָאַבְרִיחֵהוּ מֵעָלַי, cf. Gn 13:11; 25:6 Nu 20:21 וַיֵּט ישׂר׳ מֵעָלָיו, 2 Ch 20:10; Ex 10:28 לֵךְ מֵעָלַי (contemptuously; be no more obnoxious to me), similarly 2 S 13:17 שׁלחו־נא את־זאת מעלי (Amnon of Tamar). e.g. Exodus 10:17
- c. From beside (cf. על 6 c), in different nuances: Gn 17:22 God went up מעל אברהם from beside A., 35:13; 18:3 אל נא תעבר מעל עבדך (cf. על v 5), 42:24 Nu 16:26, 27; 1 K 1:53 to come down מֵעַל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ (cf. על 13:1; 6 c and 7 b); from attendance on Gn 45:1 (cf. על ib.), Ju 3:19 וַיֵּצְאוּ מֵעָלָיו כָּל־הָעֹמְדִים עָלָיו 1 S 17:15 (v. Dr), 2 S 13:9, cf. 1 S 13:8, 11 2 K 25:5 (Je 36:21 read עַל, מ being dittogr.), cf. 2 Ch 35:15; from attachment to, רָחַק מֵעַל י׳ Je 2:5; Ez 11:15; 44:10, cf. 8:6, סָר מֵעַל י׳ Je 32:40; Ez 6:9, תָּעָה מֵעַל י׳ Ez 44:10, 15, cf. 14:5; Dt 13:11; also סָר מֵעַל חַטֹּאות 2 K 10:31; 15:18 (usually מֵחטאות), cf. Ez 14:6; 23:18; from companionship with, Jb 19:13 אַחַי מֵעָלַי הִרְחִיק; from accompanying protectingly 1 S 28:15 וֵאלֹהִים סָר מֵעָלַי, v 16 (cf. על ψ 110:5; and v. Dr); from adhesion to 2 K 17:21 קָרַע ישׂראל מֵעַל בֵּית דָּוִד, Is 7:17; 56:3 יַבְדִּילַנִי י׳ מֵעַל עַמּוֹ, Hos 9:1 זָנִיתָ מֵעַל אֱלֹהֶיךָ. e.g. Genesis 17:22
- d. In late Heb., = עַל above: 2 K 25:28 נָתַן כִּסְאוֹ מֵעַל כִּסֵּא וגו׳ (‖ Je 52:32 more class. מִמַּעַל לְ), Est 3:1 ψ 108:5 גדול מעל שׁמים (‖ 57:11 עַד), 148:4 Ec 5:7 גָּבֹהַּ מֵעַל גָּבֹהַּ שֹׁמֵר, Ne 3:28; 8:5; 2 Ch 34:4 לְמַעְלָה מֵעֲלֵיחֶם on high above them; Ez 41:17, 20; Pr 14:14 read w. Capp. וּמִמַּעֲלָלָיו.—v. p. 1126 on Hg 2:15, 18; Zc 11:13. e.g. 2 Kings 25:28
- e. מֵעַל לְ (chiefly late, and pleon. for עַל, or else = the more class. syn. מִמַּעַל לְ): (a) Gn 1:7 מֵעַל לָרָקִיעַ (Ez 1:26 מִמַּעַל לְ׳), Ez 1:25 (text dub.; v. Comm.), 1 S 17:39; Jon 4:6; Mal 1:5 upon, over the border (territory) of Israel (so Köhl Ke: but Hi Ew We beyond), 2 Ch 13:4 upon mount Zemaraim, 24:20. (b) beside 2 Ch 26:19 מֵעַל לְמִזְבַּח הַקְּטֹרֶת; Ne 12:31(×2), 37, 38(×2), 39 dub.: BeRy (in all) off the side of (מִן 6) = at a little distance from; Ke in v 31, 38a upon, in v 37, 38b, 39 by the side of (an … vorüber). e.g. Genesis 1:7
- 1. with כְּ (rare and late),
Senses from the full Brown-Driver-Briggs lexicon (Brown, Driver, Briggs; Oxford 1906 — public domain), digitized via Sefaria, supplemented by the OpenScriptures HebrewLexicon (CC BY 4.0). Full attribution on Sources.
Word origin
(cf. Köii. 261 f.)
— Brown-Driver-Briggs (Oxford 1906, public domain), digitized via Sefaria, supplemented by the OpenScriptures HebrewLexicon (CC BY 4.0). See Sources.
Derived from על (ʻal) (H5920) — above.
Jastrow Dictionary
A second Hebrew/Aramaic lexicon for comparison, covering Aramaic and post-biblical (Talmudic, Targumic, Midrashic) usage that the biblical-Hebrew BDB does not. Matched by lemma rather than by Strong’s number, so a lemma may carry more than one Jastrow headword (shown separately below), and the entries cover usage well beyond the Bible.
עֹל
- , v. עוֹל
עַל
- height; (prepos.) upon, above; about &c.—With suff. (pl.) עָלַי, עָלֶיךָ &c. Ab. I, 2 על שלשה וכ׳ the world stands on three things. Sabb. II, 6 על שלש וכ׳ for three sins &c. Snh. 20ᵃ, a. fr. אמרו עָלָיו על וכ׳ they relate about &c. Nidd. 23ᵇ מי שלבו דוה עליו whose heart within him &c., v. דָּוָה; a. v. fr.—על יד, על ידי, v. יָד; על מנת, v. מְנָת, &c.—Ab. Zar. 30ᵃ, a. e. עָלי ועל צוארי, v. צַוָּאר.
עַל ²
- Targ. Gen. I, 2; a. v. fr.—With suffix (pl.) עֲלַי, עֲלָךְ, עֲלוֹהִי &c. Ib. XXVII, 12; a. v. fr.—Ab. II, 6 על דאטפת, v. טוּף.—ייתי עֲלַי, v. אֲתָא; a. v. fr.
עָל
- verb, v. עוּל, עֲלַל.
*עָל
- (cmp. עִילָא II) plan. Pesik. Vattom., p. 133ᵃ (ref. to Is. V, 19) [read:] ונדע על דמאן היא קיימא על דידן וכ׳ and let us know, whose plan will stand (be executed), our plan or his plan. Ib. הא קמת על דידהון על דידי לא קמת (not היא) now their plan stands, shall mine not stand?; Yalk. Lam. 1033; 1034. e.g. Isaiah 5:19
עֵל
- , v. עֵיל
A Dictionary of the Targumim, the Talmud Babli and Yerushalmi, and the Midrashic Literature (Marcus Jastrow; London, Luzac, 1903) — Public Domain. Digitized via Sefaria. Digitized via Sefaria. Full attribution on Sources.
Forms in the corpus
The 307 distinct written forms H5921 takes in the Hebrew Bible, most frequent first — each parse links to that state’s occurrences in the concordance. Hebrew forms include their vowel points and cantillation, so a single lemma takes many written forms.
| Form | Parsing | Example | Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| עַל | Preposition | Amos 1:1 | 3,041 |
| וְ/עַל | Preposition | Amos 1:3 | 341 |
| עַֽל | Preposition | Amos 1:9 | 121 |
| עַ֖ל | Preposition | Daniel 9:1 | 113 |
| עַ֚ל | Preposition | Amos 3:1 | 68 |
| עָלָ֖י/ו | Preposition | Daniel 11:21 | 68 |
| מֵ/עַ֣ל | Preposition | Deuteronomy 4:26 | 67 |
| עָלָי/ו֙ | Preposition | Daniel 11:5 | 56 |
| עָלָ֔י/ו | Preposition | Deuteronomy 12:32 | 47 |
| עֲלֵי/הֶ֖ם | Preposition | Deuteronomy 27:5 | 45 |
| עָלָֽי/ו | Preposition | Daniel 2:1 | 43 |
| עַ֣ל | Preposition | Daniel 10:4 | 42 |
| עָלָ֑י/ו | Preposition | Amos 3:14 | 39 |
| וְ/עַ֖ל | Preposition | Exodus 12:23 | 37 |
| מֵ/עַ֥ל | Preposition | Amos 7:11 | 37 |
| עָלֶֽי/הָ | Preposition | Daniel 1:1 | 32 |
| וְ/עַל֙ | Preposition | Daniel 11:36 | 31 |
| עֲלֵי/הֶ֔ם | Preposition | Daniel 10:7 | 31 |
| עָלֶ֔י/הָ | Preposition | Deuteronomy 4:26 | 31 |
| עָלֶ֖י/הָ | Preposition | Amos 4:7 | 31 |
| מֵ/עַ֖ל | Preposition | Amos 9:8 | 30 |
| עֲלֵי/הֶֽם | Preposition | Ecclesiastes 5:8 | 30 |
| עָלַ֣/י | Preposition | 1 Chronicles 28:19 | 30 |
| עָלָ֛י/ו | Preposition | Exodus 19:18 | 30 |
| עָלָ֣י/ו | Preposition | Deuteronomy 24:15 | 26 |
| עֲלֵי/הֶ֑ם | Preposition | Amos 9:12 | 25 |
| עֲלֵי | Preposition | Deuteronomy 32:2 | 23 |
| עֲלֵי/הֶם֙ | Preposition | Deuteronomy 7:25 | 23 |
| עַ֥ל | Preposition | Deuteronomy 31:18 | 23 |
| עָלֶ֖י/ךָ | Preposition | Deuteronomy 7:22 | 22 |
| עָלָ֜י/ו | Preposition | Daniel 11:40 | 22 |
| עֲלֵי/הֶ֛ם | Preposition | Amos 9:4 | 21 |
| עֲלֵי/כֶ֖ם | Preposition | Amos 3:1 | 21 |
| עָלֶ֑י/הָ | Preposition | Daniel 9:18 | 21 |
| וְ/עַ֣ל | Preposition | Ezekiel 48:2 | 20 |
| וְ/עַ֥ל | Preposition | Ecclesiastes 3:17 | 20 |
| וְ/עַֽל | Preposition | Amos 3:9 | 20 |
| עָלַ֖/י | Preposition | Ezekiel 3:14 | 20 |
| עָלֶ֨י/הָ֙ | Preposition | Deuteronomy 29:27 | 19 |
| עָלָֽ/י | Preposition | 1 Samuel 23:21 | 19 |
| עַ֛ל | Preposition | Ecclesiastes 1:13 | 18 |
| עַ֤ל | Preposition | Daniel 1:20 | 18 |
| עָלֶ֨י/ךָ֙ | Preposition | Deuteronomy 15:9 | 18 |
| עָלָ֗י/ו | Preposition | Exodus 20:24 | 18 |
| מֵ/עַל֙ | Preposition | Deuteronomy 11:17 | 17 |
| עָלֶ֔י/ךָ | Preposition | Deuteronomy 28:7 | 17 |
| עָלַ֖יִ/ךְ | Preposition | Ezekiel 5:8 | 17 |
| עָלַ֨יִ/ךְ֙ | Preposition | Ezekiel 16:6 | 17 |
| וְ/עַ֨ל | Preposition | Daniel 9:27 | 16 |
| עַל֩ | Preposition | Deuteronomy 32:51 | 16 |
| עָלֵ֑י/נוּ | Preposition | Daniel 9:13 | 16 |
| עֲלֵי/כֶ֔ם | Preposition | Amos 3:2 | 15 |
| עָלֵ֔י/נוּ | Preposition | Exodus 2:14 | 15 |
| עָלֵ֖י/נוּ | Preposition | Daniel 9:12 | 15 |
| עָלֵֽי/נוּ | Preposition | Exodus 16:7 | 15 |
| עָלַ/י֙ | Preposition | Daniel 10:8 | 15 |
| עָלָ֥י/ו | Preposition | Deuteronomy 16:3 | 15 |
| עָלֶ֑י/ךָ | Preposition | Deuteronomy 28:10 | 13 |
| עָלַ֛/י | Preposition | Ezekiel 3:22 | 13 |
| מֵ/עַ֤ל | Preposition | Amos 9:15 | 12 |
The 60 most common forms are shown; 247 rarer forms follow in the full concordance.
Same root — word family
Other BDB entries built from the same root as H5921, grouped by Strong’s listed origin. These share a root / origin per the lexicon — not necessarily a shared meaning. Each links to that word’s own entry.
Derives from
Derived from this word
Compare all same-root words → They share a root, not necessarily a meaning.
Septuagint verse parallels
Most of the 4,489 Hebrew verses this word occurs in also exist in the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint), so the same passages can be read in Greek by switching the Old Testament edition to the Septuagint.
Read these verses in the Septuagint
- Genesis 1:2
- Exodus 1:8
- Leviticus 1:4
- Numbers 1:18
- Deuteronomy 1:11
- Joshua 2:6
- Judges 1:14
- Ruth 1:19
- 1 Samuel 1:9
- 2 Samuel 1:2
- 1 Kings 1:13
- 2 Kings 1:9
This is a verse-level parallel only — the same verses exist in both the Hebrew and Greek Old Testaments. No word-level Hebrew↔Greek correspondence is claimed: the data carries no such alignment, so no Greek word is shown as this Hebrew word’s translation. Coverage is not total — the Septuagint omits the deuterocanon and renumbers the Psalms, so some Hebrew verses have no direct Greek parallel.
