What does עִלַּי (ʿilay) mean in the Bible?
עִלַּי (ʿilay): Designates God's absolute transcendence and supremacy; uniquely applied to divine majesty in religious contexts
Hebrew · H5943
עִלַּי
Supreme (i.e. God)
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.
עִלַּי H5943
Pronunciation ʿilay
What does עִלַּי (ʿilay) mean in the Bible?
עִלַּי (ʿilay): Designates God's absolute transcendence and supremacy; uniquely applied to divine majesty in religious contexts
Full entry for עִלַּי (H5943) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H5943?
The BSB source-word alignment has 10 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include the Most High (8), of the Most High (1), that the Most High (1).
Where does עִלַּי (ʿilay) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Daniel 3:26. Its strongest book concentrations include Daniel (10).
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 the Most High 8× Daniel 4:2, Daniel 4:17, Daniel 4:25, Daniel 4:32
of the Most High 1× Daniel 3:26
that the Most High 1× Daniel 4:24
Show sample aligned rows
Daniel 3:26 עִלָּיָא to of the Most High Adjective - masculine singular determinate Daniel 4:2 עִלָּיָא to the Most High Adjective - masculine singular determinate Daniel 4:17 עִלָּיָא to the Most High Adjective - masculine singular determinate Daniel 4:24 עִלָּיָא to that the Most High Adjective - masculine singular determinate Daniel 4:25 עִלָּיאָ֙ to the Most High Adjective - masculine singular determinate Daniel 4:32 עִלָּיאָ֙ to the Most High Adjective - masculine singular determinate Daniel 4:34 וּלְעִלָּיָא to the Most High Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Adjective - masculine singular determinate Daniel 5:18 עִלָּיָא to the Most High Adjective - masculine singular determinate Daniel 5:21 עִלָּיָא to the Most High Adjective - masculine singular determinate Daniel 7:25 עִלָּיָא to the Most High Adjective - masculine singular determinate
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned row Daniel 3:26
Aligned rows 10
Books represented 1
Daniel 10
Source forms
עִלָּיָא 7x ʿil·lå̄·yå̄ Daniel 3:26, Daniel 4:2, Daniel 4:17, Daniel 4:24
עִלָּיאָ֙ 2x ʿil·lå̄y·ʾå̄ Daniel 4:25, Daniel 4:32
וּלְעִלָּיָא 1x ū·lə·ʿil·lå̄·yå̄ Daniel 4:34
Parsing patterns
Adjective - masculine singular determinate 9x Daniel 3:26, Daniel 4:2, Daniel 4:17, Daniel 4:24
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Adjective - masculine singular determinate 1x Daniel 4:34
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Designates God's absolute transcendence and supremacy; uniquely applied to divine majesty in religious contexts
Source Gloss
supreme (i.e. God)
Extended definition Source: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Designates God's absolute transcendence and supremacy; uniquely applied to divine majesty in religious contexts
supreme (i.e. God) BDB: highest Usage: (most) high.
Word Origins
עִלַּי is built from this root:
עִלִּי H5942
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.
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