עָלַע
to sip up
Definition
The Hebrew verb עָלַע (ʻâlaʻ) means 'to sip up' or 'to suck up,' describing the action of drawing in liquid or small particles. It appears only once in the Old Testament, in Job 39:30, where it vividly depicts vultures sipping up blood from their prey. This specific usage emphasizes a thorough, consuming action, often associated with scavenging birds. While the core meaning is straightforward, its singular biblical occurrence highlights a precise, descriptive function within a poetic context.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exactly once in the Old Testament, in the Book of Job. It occurs in Job 39:30 within God's rhetorical speech about the natural world, specifically describing the behavior of vultures: 'Where the slain are, there is she.' The context is poetic and illustrative, emphasizing the providential order and instincts of creatures. There are no other usage patterns, as it is a hapax legomenon (a word appearing only once).
Etymology
עָלַע is a primitive root in Hebrew, meaning it is not derived from another Hebrew word. Cognates in related Semitic languages suggest a basic meaning related to 'lapping' or 'sipping.' The root conveys the idea of absorbing or consuming liquid in small amounts, which aligns perfectly with its biblical usage of a bird drawing up blood.
Semantic Range
While עָלַע itself is not a theologically loaded term, its use in Job 39:30 contributes to the book's larger themes. It appears in God's speech from the whirlwind, highlighting His sovereign design in nature—even in the seemingly grim details of scavenging. Understanding this precise Hebrew action enriches reading by underscoring the vivid, intentional imagery Scripture uses to portray God's providence and the natural order He sustains.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, the imagery of birds sipping up blood would have been a familiar, stark symbol of death and battlefield scavenging. This reflects a concrete, observational understanding of nature, differing from modern abstract descriptions. The word's specificity shows how biblical language often draws from immediate, visceral experiences to communicate truth.
לָעַע (lāʻaʻ, H3937) — to swallow greedily; שָׁתָה (shāthâ, H8354) — to drink (general).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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