What does אַיִל (ʾayil) mean in the Bible?
H352 has several context-bound senses, most often a ram but also a chief or leader, a strong tree such as an oak, or an architectural support. These meanings must not be merged into one image.
Hebrew · H352
אַיִל
Properly, strength ; hence, anything strong ; specifically a chief (politically); also a ram (from his strength); a pilaster (as a strong support); an oak or other strong tree
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
אַיִלH352
Pronunciationʾayil
What does אַיִל (ʾayil) mean in the Bible?
H352 has several context-bound senses, most often a ram but also a chief or leader, a strong tree such as an oak, or an architectural support. These meanings must not be merged into one image.
Reader summary
Full entry for אַיִל (H352) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H352?
The BSB source-word alignment has 184 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include rams (47), ram (35), the ram (17), and a ram (10), with the ram (10).
Where does אַיִל (ʾayil) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Genesis 15:9. Its strongest book concentrations include Numbers (66), Ezekiel (35), Exodus (23), Leviticus (22).
What This Word Actually Means
H352 has several context-bound senses, most often a ram but also a chief or leader, a strong tree such as an oak, or an architectural support. These meanings must not be merged into one image. In 1Sam. 15. 22, Samuel says obedience is better than sacrifice and attentiveness better than the fat of rams, confronting Saul's attempt to cover rebellion with worship language.
In Exod. 15. 15, the chiefs of Edom are dismayed at the Lord's deliverance of Israel, so the term identifies powerful leaders. In 1Kgs. 6. 31, it describes doorposts at the inner sanctuary entrance. H352 opens teaching on obedient worship, limited human power, and sturdy created supports. It does not mean every ram symbolizes leadership, make sacrifice a substitute for repentance, or permit interpreters to derive a spiritual message from an English gloss alone.
How the Bible Uses It
H352 ranges across sacrificial and ordinary rams, political leaders, strong trees, doorposts, and visionary animals. Grammar and domain identify the sense, while later symbolism must be anchored in its passage.
- 1Sam.15.22
But Samuel declared: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.
Samuel contrasts attentive obedience with sacrifices and the fat of rams after Saul disobeys the Lord's command.
- Exod.15.15
Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed; trembling will seize the leaders of Moab; those who dwell in Canaan will melt away,
The song of the sea portrays Edom's chiefs as dismayed when surrounding peoples hear of the Lord's victory.
- 1Kgs.6.31
For the entrance to the inner sanctuary, Solomon constructed doors of olive wood with five-sided doorposts.
Solomon constructs olive-wood doors and shaped doorposts for the entrance to the inner sanctuary.
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itrams47×Genesis 32:14, Exodus 29:1, Exodus 29:3, Leviticus 8:2
ram35×Exodus 25:5, Exodus 29:18, Exodus 29:19, Exodus 35:7
the ram17×Genesis 22:13, Exodus 29:16, Exodus 29:17, Exodus 29:20
and a ram10×Genesis 15:9, Leviticus 9:2, Leviticus 9:4, Leviticus 16:3
with the ram10×Leviticus 5:16, Leviticus 19:22, Numbers 28:12, Numbers 28:14
of rams5×1 Samuel 15:22, Psalms 66:15, Isaiah 1:11, Isaiah 34:6
the side pillars4×Ezekiel 40:48, Ezekiel 40:49, Ezekiel 41:1, Ezekiel 41:3
[its]3×Exodus 29:15, Exodus 29:19, Leviticus 8:22
a ram3×Genesis 22:13, Leviticus 19:21, Daniel 8:3
its side pillars3×Ezekiel 40:21, Ezekiel 40:24, Ezekiel 40:26
like rams3×Psalms 114:4, Psalms 114:6, Jeremiah 51:40
of the ram3×Exodus 29:26, Exodus 29:32, Leviticus 8:29
the rams3×Genesis 31:38, 2 Chronicles 29:22, Isaiah 60:7
and its side pillars2×Ezekiel 40:31, Ezekiel 40:37
and the ram2×Leviticus 9:18, Leviticus 9:19
of ram2×Exodus 36:19, Exodus 39:34
side pillars2×Ezekiel 40:29, Ezekiel 40:33
With a ram2×Numbers 15:6, Ezekiel 46:11
-1×Leviticus 8:18
. . .1×Numbers 29:14
[as though they were] rams1×Ezekiel 39:18
[they presented] a ram1×Ezra 10:19
among the oaks1×Isaiah 57:5
and its jambs [were]1×Ezekiel 40:9
and the gateposts1×Ezekiel 40:10
and their side pillars1×Ezekiel 40:16
between the rams1×Ezekiel 34:17
by the portico1×Ezekiel 40:38
chiefs1×Ezekiel 32:21
Each side pillar1×Ezekiel 40:16
for each ram1×Ezekiel 45:24
from the ram1×Exodus 29:27
is a ram1×Exodus 29:22
Its portico1×Ezekiel 40:37
oaks1×Isaiah 61:3
of the rams1×Exodus 29:15
of the ruler1×Ezekiel 31:11
of the sacred oaks1×Isaiah 1:29
out of ram1×Exodus 26:14
the gatepost1×Ezekiel 40:14
the gateposts1×Ezekiel 40:14
the leaders1×Exodus 15:15
the leading men1×Ezekiel 17:13
trees1×Ezekiel 31:14
vvv1×1 Kings 6:31
with rams1×Deuteronomy 32:14
Show sample aligned rows
Genesis 15:9וְאַ֣יִלtoand a ramConjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singularGenesis 22:13אַ֔יִלtoa ramNoun - masculine singularGenesis 22:13הָאַ֔יִלtothe ramArticle | Noun - masculine singularGenesis 31:38וְאֵילֵ֥יtothe ramsConjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural constructGenesis 32:14וְאֵילִ֥יםtoramsConjunctive waw | Noun - masculine pluralExodus 15:15אֵילֵ֣יtothe leadersNoun - masculine plural constructExodus 25:5אֵילִ֧םtoramNoun - masculine pluralExodus 26:14אֵילִ֖םtoout of ramNoun - masculine pluralExodus 29:1וְאֵילִ֥םtoramsConjunctive waw | Noun - masculine pluralExodus 29:3הָאֵילִֽם׃toramsArticle | Noun - masculine plural
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowGenesis 15:9
Aligned rows184
Books represented18
Genesis5Exodus23Leviticus22Numbers66Deuteronomy11 Samuel11 Kings12 Kings11 Chronicles22 Chronicles5Ezra2Job1Psalms3Isaiah6Jeremiah1Ezekiel35Daniel8Micah1
Source forms
אֵילִ֤ם14x’ê·limNumbers 7:17, Numbers 7:23, Numbers 7:29, Numbers 7:35
אַ֧יִל13x’a·yilLeviticus 5:15, Numbers 7:15, Numbers 7:21, Numbers 7:27
אַ֣יִל7x’a·yilLeviticus 5:18, Leviticus 6:6, Numbers 28:27, Numbers 29:2
אֵילִ֣ם7x’ê·limNumbers 29:13, Numbers 29:17, Numbers 29:20, Numbers 29:23
הָאַ֔יִל7xhā·’a·yilGenesis 22:13, Exodus 29:17, Exodus 29:32, Leviticus 8:20
וְאַ֥יִל6xwə·’a·yilLeviticus 9:2, Leviticus 16:3, Leviticus 16:5, Ezekiel 43:23
לָאַ֖יִל6xlā·’a·yilNumbers 28:12, Numbers 28:20, Numbers 28:28, Numbers 29:9
לָאֵילִ֧ם6xlā·’ê·limNumbers 29:18, Numbers 29:21, Numbers 29:24, Numbers 29:27
Parsing patterns
Noun - masculine plural43xExodus 25:5, Exodus 26:14, Exodus 35:7, Exodus 35:23
Article | Noun - masculine singular26xGenesis 22:13, Exodus 29:15, Exodus 29:16, Exodus 29:17
Noun - masculine singular22xGenesis 22:13, Leviticus 5:15, Leviticus 5:18, Leviticus 6:6
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular16xGenesis 15:9, Leviticus 9:2, Leviticus 9:4, Leviticus 16:3
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular15xNumbers 15:6, Numbers 15:11, Numbers 28:12, Numbers 28:14
Noun - masculine singular construct11xExodus 29:22, Exodus 29:31, Leviticus 8:18, Leviticus 8:22
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine plural8xNumbers 29:18, Numbers 29:21, Numbers 29:24, Numbers 29:27
Article | Noun - masculine plural7xExodus 29:3, Exodus 39:34, Leviticus 8:2, Numbers 29:14
Using This Word Well
Be careful not to...
- Do not praise unquestioning compliance with an abusive human leader by transferring Samuel's command to obey the Lord onto that leader.
- Do not build doctrine by combining ram, leader, oak, and doorpost occurrences as though they all share one symbolic meaning.
Avoid claiming...
- Do not claim that H352 inherently means strength in every occurrence or that every ram, chief, tree, and post symbolizes the same reality.
- Do not claim that giving more money, worship activity, or sacrifice can compensate for refusing truth, justice, or repentance.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Strength as the root concept unifying physical structures, animals, and political leadership; primacy through power.
Source Gloss
properly, strength ; hence, anything strong ; specifically a chief (politically); also a ram (from his strength); a pilaster (as a strong support); an oak or other strong tree
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Strength as the root concept unifying physical structures, animals, and political leadership; primacy through power.
properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically a chief (politically); also a ram (from his strength); a pilaster (as a strong support); an oak or other strong tree BDB: leader Usage: mighty (man), lintel, oak, post, ram, tree.
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
Selected Scripture Witnesses
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Biblical Witnesses
Strong trees symbolizing enduring, mighty natural objects
Animal offering characterized by strength and vigor
Showing 2 selected witnesses from 196 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
אַיִל is built from this root:
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.
For the Preacher and Teacher
H352 demonstrates why lexical range must be governed by context. A ram offered in worship is not a political chief or a doorpost simply because one Hebrew form can serve these senses. Samuel's rebuke uses valuable rams to expose a central covenant truth: generous ritual cannot repair deliberate refusal to hear God's voice. Exodus calls Edom's leaders chiefs within a song that places every regional power under the shock of the Lord's rescue.
Kings uses the word for a structural feature in carefully crafted sanctuary architecture. Each sense contributes on its own terms. Faithful teaching resists a single symbolic formula and asks what the author is naming. It honors sacrifice within God's commands but places obedience before religious display. It recognizes leaders as finite before divine power and craftsmanship as real service rather than mystical code.
Lexical breadth deepens reading when distinctions are preserved; it distorts Scripture when a sermon imports animal strength into every leader or architectural post.
Anchor passage
1Sam.15.22
Doctrinal connections
- H352: covenant worship cannot substitute for listening and obedience to the Lord's clearly spoken command.
- H352: sacrificial value does not give a ruler permission to redefine rebellion as devotion.
- H352: mighty chiefs remain creatures whose political confidence cannot overturn God's deliverance.
- H352: rams belong within Israel's appointed offerings and must be interpreted by the specific sacrifice and covenant setting.
- H352: strong trees and supports can serve concrete poetic or architectural purposes without becoming universal symbols.
- H352: contextual distinction is part of truthful handling of Scripture and protects hearers from impressive but unsupported claims.
H352 is a Hebrew noun with multiple established senses, including ram, chief, strong tree, and structural post. Number, construct relationships, associated verbs, and the animal, political, botanical, or architectural domain disambiguate it.
From Old to New Testament
New Testament sacrificial teaching likewise refuses outward offering without obedient faith and centers atonement in Christ. That canonical connection comes through the theology of sacrifice, not by assuming every H352 sense points directly to Jesus.