What does אָלָה mean in the Bible?
אָלָה is a Hebrew word meaning "to bewail".
Hebrew · H421
אָלָה
To bewail
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 the Connect page. Screenshots are helpful.
אָלָה H421
What does אָלָה mean in the Bible?
אָלָה is a Hebrew word meaning "to bewail".
Full entry for אָלָה (H421) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H421?
The BSB source-word alignment has 1 aligned row for this entry. Common renderings include Wail (1).
Where does אָלָה appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Joel 1:8. Its strongest book concentrations include Joel (1).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders It Wail 1× Joel 1:8
Show sample aligned rows
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned row Joel 1:8
Aligned rows 1
Books represented 1
Joel 1
Source forms
אֱלִ֕י 1x ’ĕ·lî Joel 1:8
Parsing patterns
Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular 1x Joel 1:8
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. to bewail
Source Gloss
to bewail
Extended definition Source: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
to bewail BDB: wail Usage: lament.
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups 1 Aligned forms 1
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 1×
Sequential imperfect Joel 1:8 1×
Word Origins
אָלָה is built from this root:
אָלָה H422
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain