Lexical Summary
ella: Oak, terebinth
Original Word:עֵלָּא
Part of Speech:Adverb
Transliteration:`ella'
Pronunciation:ay-LAH
Phonetic Spelling:(ale-law')
KJV: over
NASB:over
Word Origin:[(Aramaic) fromH592 (אֲנִיָה - mourning)2]
1. above
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
over
(Aramaic) fromal; above -- over.
see HEBREWal
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin(Aramaic) from
alDefinitionabove
NASB Translationover (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
(from
, with #NAME?§ 44. l n.; Nabataean, Egyptian Aramaic,id., Lzb341 S-CA 5+; , ; Syriac
in
above); —Daniel 6:3above (over) them (compare Cooke96. 2,Deuteronomy 28:43 ).
Topical Lexicon
Context and Narrative SettingThe word עֵלָּא appears once in the Old Testament, inDaniel 6:2, within the Aramaic section of Daniel. It designates the office held by Daniel and two colleagues whom Darius placed “over them three administrators, including Daniel” (Daniel 6:2). The term thus identifies a high-ranking overseer set above the satraps of the Medo-Persian Empire, entrusted with protecting the king’s interests.
Historical Background
After Babylon’s fall (Daniel 5:30-31), Darius reorganized the empire to secure revenue and order. Persian kings commonly employed a three-tiered hierarchy: the monarch, senior administrators, and provincial governors. The office denoted by עֵלָּא corresponds to those senior administrators. Contemporary Persian records call similar officials “protectors of the realm,” confirming the biblical portrayal of Daniel as a trusted guardian of state assets and justice.
Administrative Function and Responsibilities
1. Fiscal oversight: “so that the king would not suffer loss” (Daniel 6:2).
2. Legal review: files and petitions ascended through these administrators before reaching the throne (compareEsther 3:12-13).
3. Accountability: Daniel’s blameless record (Daniel 6:4) shows the moral rigor expected of the office.
4. Representation: they embodied royal authority in the provinces, foreshadowing the New Testament concept of stewardship (Luke 12:42-44).
Biblical Theology of Excellence and Oversight
• Divine promotion: Daniel’s elevation echoes Joseph’s rise inGenesis 41:39-41, illustrating that “it is God who judges; He brings one down, He exalts another” (Psalm 75:7).
• Faithful service: “He was trustworthy; no negligence or corruption was found in him” (Daniel 6:4), illustratingProverbs 22:29: “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings.”
• Government as God-ordained: Daniel’s role modelsRomans 13:1-4, showing believers may serve faithfully even under pagan regimes without compromising worship.
Christological Foreshadowing
Daniel, an exile exalted to protect a kingdom, anticipates Christ, the righteous Exile who, after humiliation, is enthroned “far above all rule and authority” (Ephesians 1:21). The jealousy of peers, the plot against his life, and miraculous deliverance (Daniel 6:16-23) prefigure the injustice, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Practical Ministry Applications
• Integrity in the workplace: Daniel’s irreproachable administration encourages believers to “do it wholeheartedly, as to the Lord and not to men” (Colossians 3:23).
• Prayer amid pressure: Daniel balanced civil duty with spiritual discipline (Daniel 6:10), teaching leaders to anchor governance in communion with God.
• Courage against corrupt systems: when ethical conflict arose, Daniel obeyed God rather than man, exemplifyingActs 5:29.
Related Scriptures
Genesis 41:39-41;Esther 10:2-3;Proverbs 16:7;Proverbs 22:29;Romans 13:3-4;Colossians 3:22-24;1 Timothy 3:1-7.
Legacy for the People of God
The lone occurrence of עֵלָּא captures a timeless truth: God positions His servants in strategic authority to bless nations, display righteousness, and point forward to the ultimate reign of Christ.
Forms and Transliterations
וְעֵ֤לָּא ועלא veElla wə‘êllā wə·‘êl·lā
Links
Interlinear Greek •
Interlinear Hebrew •
Strong's Numbers •
Englishman's Greek Concordance •
Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •
Parallel Texts
