אָבַל
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.
Canonical witness: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
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What does אָבַל (aval) mean in the Bible?
אָבַל (aval) is a Hebrew word meaning "to bewail". to bewail BDB: mourn Usage: lament, mourn. Land personified under covenant curse. This term runs through the canonical themes of Covenant.
Meaning
Emotional expression of grief through vocal lamentation; deep mourning that manifests in audible, bodily acts of sorrow
to bewail BDB: mourn Usage: lament, mourn.
Why This Word Matters
Land personified under covenant curse. Hosea 4:1-3
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
Hithpael reflexive or reciprocal — the subject acts on itself or mutually with others 10×
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 13×
Hiphil causative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action 1×
Canonical Themes
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
Old Testament Witnesses
Showing 8 of 39 occurrences in the biblical text.