Lexical Summary
el: Into, unto
Original Word:אֶל
Part of Speech:Preposition
Transliteration:el
Pronunciation:ale
Phonetic Spelling:(ale)
KJV: about, according to ,after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), bothand, by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in)
NASB:against, toward, concerning, over, about, before, because
Word Origin:[a primitive particle]
1. (properly) denoting motion towards, but occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or among
2. (often, generally) to
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because, before both
(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el}); a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. Near, with or among; often in general, to -- about, according to,after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in).
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. particle
Definitionto, into, towards
NASB Translationabout (12), above (1), according (4), addition (2), adjacent* (1), after (4), after* (1), against (162), along (1), along* (1), among (3), among* (1), because (5), before (11), before* (4), behind* (2), beside (3), beside* (3), between* (2), carried (1), concerning (31), corresponding* (1), defied* (1), everywhere* (1), faced (1), facing* (3), far (1), greatly* (1), inside* (1), next (1), next* (1), nor (1), onto (1), opposite (1), opposite* (2), outside* (12), over (23), recalls* (1), regard (2), regarding (1), straight* (3), through (1), together* (2), toward (75), toward* (2), visit* (1), where (1), where* (2), wherever* (4), whom* (1), within (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
(nearly always followed by Makkeph), in poetry (compare , ), but only in Job (
1 Samuel 3:22;
1 Samuel 5:26;
1 Samuel 15:22;
1 Samuel 29:19), with suffix , , , etc. , & (5 t.) , & (both very often); once
Psalm 2:5, , once
Exodus 1:19 (Assyrian
ilî, Arabic
),
(whether physical or mental).
to orunto a person or placeGenesis 2:19,22;Genesis 3:19;Genesis 8:9;Genesis 14:22;Genesis 16:9 etc., after every kind of verb expressing motion (, , etc.) So withto give (though is here more common)Genesis 21:14;Genesis 35:4;Deuteronomy 13:2 +;to sell Deut 37:36, etc. Metaph.Jeremiah 2:19 and that my fear (cometh) notunto thee (compareJob 31:23). — PeculiarlyGenesis 6:16unto the length of a cubit, etc. And metaphor in the phraseunto exultationHosea 9:11;Job 3:22. Once, exceptionally (si vera 1.) =even:Job 5:5 andeven out of thorns he taketh it. Sometimes pregnant, asIsaiah 66:17;Jeremiah 41:7 commit whoredom (by going)toNumbers 25:1;Ezekiel 16:26,28,29; seek (by resorting)to one (that is, for oracles)Deuteronomy 18:11;Isaiah 8:19;Isaiah 11:10 +; join together (& come)untoGenesis 14:3; rise early (and go)toGenesis 19:27;Genesis 24:11 made to kneel downat;Genesis 47:18 i.e. has been made overto; to come in feartoHosea 3:5;Micah 7:17. Opposite is , as from endto endExodus 26:28;Ezra 9:11 (synonym2 Kings 21:16 ). And of time (rare)1 Chronicles 9:25;Numbers 30:15 (P)1 Chronicles 16:23 (in the ""Psalm 96:2 ).
Where the limit is actually entered,into,Genesis 6:18 and thou shalt enterinto the arkGenesis 7:1;Genesis 19:3;Genesis 41:21;Genesis 42:17; & so after verbs of throwing, casting, puttingGenesis 37:22 ()Genesis 39:20 put himinto the prison house,Exodus 28:30 (Leviticus 8:8)Deuteronomy 23:25; so after to buryGenesis 23:19;Genesis 25:9;Genesis 49:29; to squeezeGenesis 40:11; to blot outNumbers 5:23, etc.; metaphorGenesis 6:6 was painedinto orunto his heart, , to place, bring.into ( = layto) heartDeuteronomy 4:39;2 Samuel 19:20 and elsewhere In connection with a number or multitudeinto which something enters,in among:1 Samuel 10:22 behold he had hid himselfin among the baggage,Jeremiah 4:3 sow notin among thorns.
Of directiontowards anything: (a) of physical acts or states, asGenesis 30:40 ,Genesis 39:7 ,Exodus 25:20;Numbers 6:26, (2 Kings 9:32 differently),2 Kings 24:1 ,Joshua 8:18;Psalm 28:2;1 Kings 8:29,30 (to praytowards)1 Kings 8:38; pregnantly to tremble (turning)toGenesis 42:28, to, wonder (turning)towardsGenesis 43:33;Isaiah 13:8,Jeremiah 36:16: without a verb faceto faceGenesis 32:31 +;Numbers 12:8;Genesis 31:5 the face of Laban, that he is nottoward me; the eyes of aretowards . . .Psalm 34:16 (comparePsalm 33:18). (b) with words such as to saytoGenesis 3:1 + often,Genesis 8:15 + often,Genesis 19:5,Genesis 20:17 etc., to hearkentoGenesis 16:11, to praisetoGenesis 12:15 (compareEzekiel 13:19 to profaneto),Ezekiel 40:14. (c) with words expressing the direction of the mind, asto waitPsalm 27:14 +;to hopeIsaiah 51:5; to lift up the soul (i.e. set the desire)towardsDeuteronomy 24:15;Psalm 25:1; , to set the heart (mind)toExodus 9:21 and elsewhere; to accustom oneselftoJeremiah 10:2; to shew feartowards2 Kings 4:13;Genesis 43:30;Deuteronomy 28:32 and thy eyes failing (with longing)towards them,Lamentations 4:17;Isaiah 63:15;2 Samuel 3:8;1 Kings 14:13;Psalm 40:6; alone, as predicate,directed ordisposed towards,Genesis 3:16;Genesis 4:7;2 Kings 6:11 who of oursis towards (i.e. favours) the king of Syria?Hosea 3:3Ezekiel 36:9;Haggai 2:17;Jeremiah 15:1 ().
Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, =against:Genesis 4:8 and Cain rose upagainst Abel (so1 Samuel 24:8)1 Samuel 22:12;Exodus 14:5;Numbers 32:14; withJoshua 10:6,Judges 1:10;Judges 20:30; with of calamity, etc., comingto orupon any oneGenesis 42:21;Judges 9:57;1 Samuel 2:34;1 Kings 14:10 +;Isaiah 2:4;Isaiah 3:8 their tongue and doings areIsaiah 32:6 ()Hosea 7:15 (compareNahum 1:9)Hosea 12:5 and he stroveagainst the angel. Here also belongs in particular the phrase Behold I amagainst (thee, you, etc.)Nahum 2:14;Nahum 3:5;Jeremiah 21:13 (Jeremiah 23:30-32 )Jeremiah 50:31;Jeremiah 51:25;Ezekiel 13:8,20;Ezekiel 21:8;Ezekiel 29:10;Ezekiel 30:22;Ezekiel 34:10;Ezekiel 35:3;Ezekiel 38:3;Ezekiel 39:1 (Ezekiel 5:8; 26:3; 28:22; 29:3 : onEzekiel 36:9 see above)
Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense ofin addition to, asLeviticus 18:18 thou shalt not take a womanto, in addition to, her sister,Joshua 13:22 (""Numbers 31:8 );1 Samuel 14:34 at eattogether with the blood (1 Samuel 14:32 & Generally );1 Kings 10:7 (generally );Jeremiah 25:26;Ezekiel 7:26 "" ;Ezekiel 44:7;Lamentations 3:41 let us lift up our heartstogether with the hands (compare, Qor 4:2; WAG ii. § 51 c).
Metaphorin regard to, concerning, on account of : thus to mournconcerning1 Samuel 15:35; to repentas regards2 Samuel 24:16; to inquire1 Kings 14:5 to praywith regard to1 Samuel 1:27;2 Kings 19:20; to cry2 Kings 8:3 (2 Kings 8:5 ); be pained1 Samuel 20:34; to comfort2 Samuel 10:2; more Generally1 Kings 16:13;1 Kings 21:22;on account of, for the sake of, one's life1 Kings 19:3;2 Kings 7:7 (Genesis 19:17 ). ( is more common in this sense.) And specially with verbs of saying, narrating, telling, etc.with regard to, asGenesis 20:2;Isaiah 29:22;Isaiah 37:21,33 +;2 Samuel 7:19;Jeremiah 40:16 b;Psalm 2:7;Psalm 69:27;Isaiah 23:11;Ezekiel 19:4; the reportregarding. . .1 Samuel 4:19. (Not frequently, ext. in the case of .)
Of rule or standard,according to (rare):according to the command of,Joshua 15:13;Joshua 17:4;Joshua 21:3 (generally );according to what is fixed = of a certainty1 Samuel 23:23;1 Samuel 26:4 (see Dr): perhapsPsalm 5:1;Psalm 80:1 (Psalm 45:1 ).
Expressing presence at a spot,against; at, by, not merely after verbs expressing or implying motion (compare ,Genesis 24:11), asJoshua 11:5 and they came and encamped togetherat the waters of Merom,1 Samuel 5:4 cut off (and fallen)on to the threshold,2 Samuel 2:23 and elsewhere and smote himin oron the belly,Deuteronomy 33:28;Exodus 29:12;Leviticus 4:7; but also in other cases, asJoshua 5:3 and he circumcised the Israelitesagainst, at the hill of the foreskins,Joshua 22:11 have built an altarby the districts of Jordan,Judges 12:6;2 Samuel 3:32, 14:30 &2 Samuel 18:4at the side of (elsewhere , ),1 Kings 13:20 as they were sittingat the table,2 Kings 11:14by the king,Jeremiah 41:12 and found himby the great waters, etc.,Jeremiah 46:10by the Euphrates,Ezekiel 3:15;Ezekiel 11:11;Ezekiel 17:8;Ezekiel 31:7;Ezekiel 40:18;Ezekiel 43:3;Ezekiel 47:7;Ezekiel 48:12.
Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea ofmotion ordirection to: thus2 Samuel 5:23;2 Kings 9:18,19 turnto behind me,Zechariah 6:5 (where is pleonastic, probably due to clerical error; note before & after);in betweenEzekiel 31:10,14; similarlyEzekiel 10:2;to (the part)within (see below ),in withinLeviticus 16:15;2 Kings 11:15 "" have her forthin within the ranks; see ;unto the south ofJoshua 15:3;to the outside ofLeviticus 4:12,21 +;to the front ofNumbers 19:4;Judges 6:19;1 Kings 8:6 and elsewhere (see below ).
I. — InGenesis 20:13 ;Numbers 33:54 ;Proverbs 17:8 (compareDeuteronomy 16:6); — appears to be used by a species of attraction; the idea of motion involved in the relative clause influencing illogically the beginning of the sentence and causing to be used instead of . InDeuteronomy 31:14 , as pointed, can only be from III or IV (q. v.); if the word be taken as the Pronoun with suffix (Hi Ke), must be read.
2. — There is a tendency in Hebrew, especially manifest in Samuel Kings Jeremiah Ezekiel, to use in the sense of ; sometimes being used exceptionally in a phrase or construction which regularly, and in accusative with analogy, has ; sometimes, the two prepositions interchanging, apparently without discrimination, in the same or parallel sentences. Thus (a)Joshua 5:14 ;1 Samuel 13:13 ;1 Samuel 14:34 (see below );1 Samuel 17:3 (contracteeDeuteronomy 11:29);Deuteronomy 19:16;2 Samuel 6:3;2 Samuel 20:23 (contracted2 Samuel 8:16)1 Kings 13:29;1 Kings 18:46 (contracted2 Kings 3:15 )Jeremiah 35:15;Ezekiel 7:18. (b)Judges 6:37 and upon () all the earth let there be dryness,Judges 6:39 let there be drynesson () the fleece;1 Samuel 14:10 come up ,1 Samuel 14:12 come up ;1 Samuel 16:23 & 16; 16:13 & 18:10 ,1 Samuel 10:6 and elsewhere ;1 Samuel 25:17 evil is determined ;1 Samuel 25:25;1 Samuel 27:10;2 Samuel 2:9 ;2 Samuel 3:292 Kings 8:3 & 5;2 Kings 9:6 & 3;Jeremiah 19:15;Jeremiah 25:2;Jeremiah 26:15 ye lay innocent blood ;Jeremiah 27:19;Jeremiah 28:8;Jeremiah 33:14;Jeremiah 34:7;Jeremiah 36:31;Jeremiah 37:13,14;Ezekiel 18:6,11 & 15;Ezekiel 21:12 etc.Psalm 79:6 (Jeremiah 10:25 twice). It is probably that this interchange, at least in many cases, is not original, but due to transcribers.
Conversely, though not with the same frequency, occurs where analogy would lead us to expect , or even in juxtaposition with , as1 Samuel 1:10 to prayto (1 Samuel 1:26 );1 Samuel 1:13;1 Samuel 25:25 ;1 Kings 20:43 (1 Kings 21:4 );Isaiah 22:15;Jeremiah 11:2;Jeremiah 23:35;Jeremiah 31:12. compare DrSm i. 13, 13; ii. 8, 7; 15, 4.
Topical Lexicon
Overview of Directional ForceThe Hebrew particle אֶל serves as Scripture’s primary indicator of orientation and direction, occurring more than five thousand times to describe motion or attention toward a person, place, object, or idea. Whether used literally (Genesis 12:5) or figuratively (Proverbs 3:5), its ubiquity makes it a quiet but indispensable guide to the covenant storyline, continually reminding readers that every life-movement is “toward” or “against” the LORD.
Movement and Pilgrimage
1. Physical approach
• “Abram traveled on… until he came to the site of the oak of Moreh” (Genesis 12:6).
• Israel’s exodus march—“They set out from Rameses and went to Succoth” (Numbers 33:5)—strings together nearly fifty uses of אֶל, portraying a redeemed people moving purposefully toward the land sworn to the patriarchs.
2. National converging points
• Annual ascent “to Jerusalem, to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread” (2 Chronicles 30:5).
• Prophets envision Gentile nations streaming “to the mountain of the LORD” (Isaiah 2:2), giving the preposition eschatological reach.
Relational Commitment and Covenant
When coupled with covenant verbs, אֶל conveys allegiance and loyalty.
• “I will betroth you to Me forever” (Hosea 2:19).
• Jonathan “made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself” (1 Samuel 18:3). The directional marker underscores that covenant love is not abstract affection but a deliberate turning toward another in faithfulness.
Prayer and Supplication
The Psalms repeatedly describe prayer as speaking or lifting one’s soul “to” the LORD.
• “To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul” (Psalm 25:1).
• “I cry to You for help” (Psalm 30:2).
This language frames prayer as movement from earth toward heaven, reinforcing both God’s transcendence and accessibility.
Warning and Sin Against
Negative uses of אֶל quantify trespass.
• “You have sinned greatly against the LORD” (1 Samuel 12:20).
• “Do not sin against the child” (Genesis 42:22).
Here the particle marks a relational breach—sin is not merely an infraction of abstract law but an offense directed toward a Person.
Prophetic Calls to Return
The prophets combine אֶל with verbs of turning or returning.
• “Return to Me, and I will return to you” (Zechariah 1:3).
Covenant restoration is portrayed as a change of direction. Revival preaching throughout church history echoes this same summons: turn back toward the LORD.
Worship and Liturgical Use
Temple liturgy regularly instructs worshipers to bring offerings “to the altar” (Leviticus 1:11) and songs “to the Chief Musician” (Psalm headings). The vocabulary impresses that worship is an approach, a drawing near made possible by atonement.
Judicial and Ethical Applications
Civil law sections employ אֶל in courtroom speech and reparation contexts.
• “They shall bring him to the elders of his city” (Deuteronomy 21:19).
• “Your hand shall not be raised against your neighbor’s life” (Exodus 21:14).
Justice, therefore, is rendered through regulated movement toward authority and away from violence.
Typological and Christological Insights
The Old Testament trajectory points to Jesus Christ, in whom the call “Come to Me” (Matthew 11:28) mirrors the covenant “return to Me” formula. The New Testament writers—immersed in אֶל’s Old Testament background—announce that the final direction of salvation history is toward the risen Son (Hebrews 12:22-24).
Practical Ministry Reflections
• Preaching: underscore that repentance is directional—turning toward God rather than merely quitting bad habits.
• Pastoral care: help believers articulate prayers “to the LORD,” encouraging direct address.
• Missions: Isaiah’s vision of nations flowing “to” Zion fuels global evangelism; every outreach extends the invitation to move toward God’s Kingdom.
Thus, אֶל quietly permeates Scripture, constantly orienting hearts, feet, and futures toward the LORD who first turns His face toward us.
Forms and Transliterations
אֱלֵי־ אֲ֠לֵיהֶם אֲ֭לֵהֶם אֲלֵהֶ֑ם אֲלֵהֶ֔ם אֲלֵהֶ֖ם אֲלֵהֶ֗ם אֲלֵהֶ֛ם אֲלֵהֶ֛ן אֲלֵהֶ֜ם אֲלֵהֶ֣ם ׀ אֲלֵהֶ֤ם אֲלֵהֶ֧ם אֲלֵהֶֽם׃ אֲלֵהֶם֒ אֲלֵהֶם֙ אֲלֵהֶם֮ אֲלֵיהֶ֑ם אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם אֲלֵיהֶ֔ן אֲלֵיהֶ֖ם אֲלֵיהֶ֖ן אֲלֵיהֶ֗ם אֲלֵיהֶ֛ם אֲלֵיהֶ֜ם אֲלֵיהֶ֜ן אֲלֵיהֶ֡ם אֲלֵיהֶ֥ם אֲלֵיהֶ֨ם אֲלֵיהֶֽם׃ אֲלֵיהֶֽן׃ אֲלֵיהֶם֒ אֲלֵיהֶם֙ אֲלֵיהֶם֩ אֲלֵיכֶ֑ם אֲלֵיכֶ֔ם אֲלֵיכֶ֖ם אֲלֵיכֶ֗ם אֲלֵיכֶ֛ם אֲלֵיכֶ֜ם אֲלֵיכֶ֣ם אֲלֵיכֶ֥ם אֲלֵיכֶ֧ם ׀ אֲלֵיכֶֽם׃ אֲלֵיכֶם֙ אֲלֵיכֶם֮ אֲלֵכֶ֑ם אֲלֵכֶ֔ם אֲלֵכֶ֛ם אֲלֵכֶ֤ם אֲלֵכֶם֙ אֵ֘לֶ֤יךָ אֵ֝לֶ֗יךָ אֵ֝לֶיךָ אֵ֝לַ֗י אֵ֝לָ֗יו אֵ֠לֶיהָ אֵ֠לֶיךָ אֵ֠לַי אֵ֠לָיו אֵ֣ל אֵ֫לֵ֥ינוּ אֵ֭לֶיךָ אֵ֭לַי אֵ֭לָיו אֵׅלָׅ֔יׅוׅ אֵלֵ֑ינוּ אֵלֵ֔ינוּ אֵלֵ֖ינוּ אֵלֵ֗ינוּ אֵלֵ֙ינוּ֙ אֵלֵ֛ינוּ אֵלֵ֡ינוּ אֵלֵ֣ימוֹ אֵלֵ֣ינוּ אֵלֵ֥ינוּ אֵלֵֽינוּ׃ אֵלֵינוּ֮ אֵלֶ֑יהָ אֵלֶ֑יךָ אֵלֶ֔יהָ אֵלֶ֔יךָ אֵלֶ֖יהָ אֵלֶ֖יךָ אֵלֶ֗יהָ אֵלֶ֗יךָ אֵלֶ֙יהָ֙ אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙ אֵלֶ֛יהָ אֵלֶ֛יךָ אֵלֶ֜יהָ אֵלֶ֜יךָ אֵלֶ֟יךָ אֵלֶ֣יהָ אֵלֶ֣יךָ אֵלֶ֣יךָ ׀ אֵלֶ֤יהָ אֵלֶ֤יךָ אֵלֶ֥יךָ אֵלֶ֧יהָ אֵלֶ֨יךָ אֵלֶ֨יךָ ׀ אֵלֶֽיהָ׃ אֵלֶֽיךָ׃ אֵלֶיהָ֮ אֵלֶיךָ֩ אֵלֶיךָ֮ אֵלַ֔י אֵלַ֔יִךְ אֵלַ֖י אֵלַ֖יִךְ אֵלַ֗י אֵלַ֗יִךְ אֵלַ֙יִךְ֙ אֵלַ֛י אֵלַ֛יִךְ אֵלַ֜י אֵלַ֜יִךְ אֵלַ֞י אֵלַ֡י אֵלַ֣י אֵלַ֣יִךְ אֵלַ֣י ׀ אֵלַ֤י אֵלַ֤יִךְ אֵלַ֥י אֵלַ֧י אֵלַ֨י אֵלַ֨י ׀ אֵלַי֒ אֵלַי֙ אֵלַי֩ אֵלַי֮ אֵלָ֑י אֵלָ֑יִךְ אֵלָ֑יו אֵלָ֔ו אֵלָ֔י אֵלָ֔יו אֵלָ֖יו אֵלָ֗יו אֵלָ֛יו אֵלָ֜יו אֵלָ֡יו אֵלָ֣יו אֵלָ֣יו ׀ אֵלָ֤יו אֵלָ֥יו אֵלָ֧יו אֵלָ֨יו אֵלָֽיִךְ׃ אֵלָֽי׃ אֵלָֽיו׃ אֵלָיו֒ אֵלָיו֙ אֵלָיו֮ אֶ֖ל אֶ֚ל אֶ֛ל אֶ֣ל אֶ֤ל אֶ֥ל אֶ֫ל־ אֶֽ֫ל אֶֽל־ אֶל֩ אֶל־ אַל־ אל אל־ אלהם אלהם׃ אלהן אלו אלי אלי־ אלי׃ אליה אליה׃ אליהם אליהם׃ אליהן אליהן׃ אליו אליו׃ אליך אליך׃ אליכם אליכם׃ אלימו אלינו אלינו׃ אלכם הַאֶ֨ל הַלֶּ֖חֶם האל הלחם וְ֭אֵלַי וְֽאֶל־ וְאֵלֶ֙יךָ֙ וְאֵלַ֖י וְאֵלַ֣י וְאֵלַ֤יִךְ וְאֶ֖ל וְאֶ֛ל וְאֶ֣ל וְאֶ֤ל וְאֶ֥ל וְאֶ֧ל וְאֶ֨ל־ וְאֶֽל־ וְאֶל֙ וְאֶל֩ וְאֶל־ וְאַֽל־ וַאֲלֵהֶ֣ם וַאֲלֵיהֶ֖ם ואל ואל־ ואלהם ואלי ואליהם ואליך חֵיקָֽם׃ חיקם׃ ’ă·lê·hem ’ă·lê·hen ’ă·lê·ḵem ’al- ’ălêhem ’ălêhen ’ălêḵem ’ê·la·yiḵ ’ê·lā·yiḵ ’ê·lāw ’ê·lay ’ê·lāy ’ĕ·lê- ’ê·le·hā ’ê·le·ḵā ’ê·lê·mōw ’ê·lê·nū ’el ’êl ’el- ’êlāw ’êlay ’êlāy ’êlayiḵ ’êlāyiḵ ’ĕlê- ’êlehā ’êleḵā ’êlêmōw ’êlênū al aleChem aleHem aleHen aleiChem aleiHem aleiHen cheiKam El eLai eLav eLayich elei eLeicha eLeiha eLeimov eLeinu ha’el ha·’el haEl hal·le·ḥem halLechem halleḥem ḥê·qām ḥêqām vaaleHem vaaleiHem veal veel veeLai veeLayich veeLeicha veeloSha wa’ălêhem wa·’ă·lê·hem wə’al- wə’el wə’el- wə’êlay wə’êlayiḵ wə’êleḵā wə·’al- wə·’ê·la·yiḵ wə·’ê·lay wə·’ê·le·ḵā wə·’el wə·’el-
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