אֱלוּל

good for nothing

Definition

The Hebrew noun אֱלוּל (ʼĕlûwl) means 'good for nothing' or 'worthless thing.' It is used to describe idols or objects that are utterly without value, power, or substance, often in contrast to the living God. The word appears only once in the Old Testament, in Job 13:4, where Job's friends are described as 'forgers of lies' and 'physicians of no value' (KJV: 'physicians of no value'), highlighting their useless counsel. This singular usage strongly associates the term with deception and emptiness.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the entire Old Testament, in the poetic book of Job. In Job 13:4, Job uses it metaphorically to condemn the worthless and false comfort offered by his friends, comparing them to useless physicians. The context is a polemic against empty words and falsehood, aligning the term with the semantic field of vanity and deception.

Etymology

The word אֱלוּל (ʼĕlûwl) is derived from the root א־ל־ל (ʼ-l-l), which conveys notions of weakness, insignificance, or nothingness. It is explicitly linked in lexicons to the more common word אֱלִיל (ʼĕlîyl, H457), meaning 'idol' or 'worthless thing,' sharing the core concept of nullity. The derivation emphasizes a state of being void of true power or substance.

Semantic Range

Though used only once, this word carries significant theological weight as it encapsulates the biblical theme of the stark contrast between the living, powerful God of Israel and the utter emptiness of false substitutes—whether physical idols or, as in Job, false human wisdom. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Job 13:4 by sharpening the indictment against anything that claims value but is fundamentally 'good for nothing' compared to God's truth and reliability. It connects to the broader prophetic condemnation of idolatry and vanity.

In the ancient Near Eastern context, the concept of a 'worthless thing' directly challenged the pervasive polytheistic cultures that invested divine power in man-made idols. By labeling something as אֱלוּל, the biblical author was making a radical statement about the absolute superiority of Yahweh over the claimed deities of surrounding nations. The metaphorical use in Job applies this cultural concept of nullity to human speech and counsel.

אֱלִיל (ʼĕlîyl, H457) — A more common term for 'idol' or 'worthless thing,' often used for false gods. שָׁוְא (shavʼ, H7723) — 'vanity,' 'emptiness,' often used for false speech or idolatry. תֹּהוּ (tohu, H8414) — 'formlessness,' 'waste,' describing chaotic emptiness, as in Genesis 1:2.

Word Details