What does אָלַף mean in the Bible?
אָלַף is a Hebrew word meaning "hence, to learn (and causatively to teach )".
Hebrew · H502
אָלַף
Hence, to learn (and causatively to teach )
Reading a lexicon entry
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אָלַף H502
What does אָלַף mean in the Bible?
אָלַף is a Hebrew word meaning "hence, to learn (and causatively to teach )".
Full entry for אָלַף (H502) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H502?
The BSB source-word alignment has 4 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include and I will teach (1), instructs (1), who teaches us (1), you may learn (1).
Where does אָלַף appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Job 15:5. Its strongest book concentrations include Job (3), Proverbs (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 and I will teach 1× Job 33:33
instructs 1× Job 15:5
who teaches us 1× Job 35:11
you may learn 1× Proverbs 22:25
Show sample aligned rows
Job 15:5 יְאַלֵּ֣ף to instructs Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Job 33:33 וַאֲאַלֶּפְךָ֥ to and I will teach Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common singular | second person masculine singular Job 35:11 מַ֭לְּפֵנוּ to who teaches us Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular construct | first person common plural Proverbs 22:25 תֶּאֱלַ֥ף to you may learn Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned row Job 15:5
Aligned rows 4
Books represented 2
Job 3 Proverbs 1
Source forms
וַאֲאַלֶּפְךָ֥ 1x wa·’ă·’al·lep̄·ḵā Job 33:33
יְאַלֵּ֣ף 1x yə·’al·lêp̄ Job 15:5
מַ֭לְּפֵנוּ 1x mal·lə·p̄ê·nū Job 35:11
תֶּאֱלַ֥ף 1x te·’ĕ·lap̄ Proverbs 22:25
Parsing patterns
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common singular | second person masculine singular 1x Job 33:33
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular 1x Job 15:5
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular construct | first person common plural 1x Job 35:11
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular 1x Proverbs 22:25
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. hence, to learn (and causatively to teach )
Source Gloss
hence, to learn (and causatively to teach )
Extended definition Source: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
hence, to learn (and causatively to teach) BDB: learn Usage: learn, teach, utter.
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 2 Aligned forms 2
Piel intensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action 1×
Imperfect Job 15:5 1×
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 1×
Imperfect Prov 22:25 1×
Word Origins
אָלַף is a primitive root - no further derivation.
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