אֶלֶף
a family; also (from the sense of yoking or taming) an ox or cow
Definition
The Hebrew noun אֶלֶף (ʼeleph) carries two primary meanings in the Old Testament. First, it denotes a 'family' or 'clan,' representing a basic social and military unit, as seen when Gideon protests that his clan is the weakest in Manasseh (Judges 6:15). Second, it means 'ox' or 'cow,' specifically a domesticated, tamed animal used for plowing and as a sign of wealth, referenced in blessings for agricultural prosperity (Deuteronomy 7:13) and in wisdom literature (Proverbs 14:4). The connection between these senses lies in the root idea of 'taming' or 'binding together'—a family is a bonded social unit, and an ox is a tamed, yoked beast of burden.
Biblical Usage
This word is used eight times, primarily in the context of covenantal blessings and curses in Deuteronomy (7:13; 28:4, 18, 51), where 'oxen' symbolize agricultural bounty and their loss signifies judgment. It appears in narrative (Judges 6:15), poetry (Psalm 8:7; Isaiah 30:24), and wisdom (Proverbs 14:4) literature. In these poetic and prophetic uses, the 'ox' represents domesticated animals under human dominion or as part of peaceful, prosperous life.
Etymology
Derived from the root אָלַף (ʼalaph, H502), meaning 'to learn' or 'to become accustomed to,' which implies taming or training. This root gives rise to the dual meanings: a 'family' (a trained, cohesive unit) and an 'ox' (a tamed, yoked animal). The same root is also the source for the number 'one thousand' (אֶלֶף, H505), likely from the concept of a large, bonded group or a military unit.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it connects divine blessing with tangible, agricultural prosperity within the covenant. The promise of oxen in Deuteronomy signifies God's faithfulness in providing for and sustaining His people in the Promised Land. Conversely, the loss of oxen in covenantal curses represents the removal of God's provision and the breakdown of societal order. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of blessings and curses, highlighting how God's covenant relationship had direct, physical implications for Israel's livelihood and community stability.
In ancient Israelite culture, an ox was a vital asset for plowing and transportation, representing wealth, sustenance, and settled agricultural life. A 'family' (ʼeleph) was not just a nuclear unit but often a larger clan responsible for mutual defense and economic support. The semantic link between a tamed animal and a social unit reflects a worldview where order, domestication, and communal bonds were highly valued for survival and prosperity.
מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpachah, H4940) — a broader term for family, clan, or household, often larger than ʼeleph. שׁוֹר (shor, H7794) — the more common general term for ox or bull, without the specific connotation of being tamed or yoked. בָּקָר (baqar, H1241) — cattle, herd, a collective term for bovines.
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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