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| aleh [2024/04/06 17:25] – [aleh] ken | aleh [2025/04/02 20:59] (current) – [Other Trees] ken |
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| 'aleh' should not be confused with [[al]] or [[aloh]]. | 'aleh' should not be confused with [[al]] or [[aloh]], but seems to be the root word of [[alehi]] and [[alehim]] |
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| Typically 'aleh' is grossly mistranslated into a very disjointed conglomeration of supposed meanings including: "these", "curse", and "of God". Famously, the Islamic faith has adopted a form of this word as "Allah" which they interpret as the name of the monotheistic God. The Judao-Christian faiths also use the word as it is the basis for the term "Elohim" (see [[alehim]]) | Typically 'aleh' is grossly mistranslated into a very disjointed conglomeration of supposed meanings including: "these", "curse", and "of God". Famously, the Islamic faith has adopted a form of this word as "Allah" which they interpret as the name of the monotheistic God. The Judao-Christian faiths also use the word as it is the basis for the term "Elohim" (see [[alehim]]) |
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| There are however, a number of instances where the original meaning survives, and the word is rendered as a tree, specifically a deciduous tree in the hardwood category. | There are however, a number of instances where the original meaning survives, and in these cases the word is rendered as a "tree", or sometimes more specifically as a deciduous tree in the hardwood category. (See also [[yex]]) |
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| The exact species of tree in question has been variously interpreted as "Terebinth" tree, which might be understood as any tree in the Terebinth or Pistachio family(([[https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%D7%90%D7%9C%D7%94]])), or more generally, any hardwood such as an Oak or Ash. | The exact species of tree in question has been variously interpreted as "Terebinth" tree, which might be understood as any tree in the Terebinth or Pistachio family(([[https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%D7%90%D7%9C%D7%94]])), or more generally, any hardwood such as an Oak or Ash. This is attested to int he following verses: |
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| *Genesis 35:4 - //he hid them under the oak which was near Shechem// | *Genesis 35:4 - //he hid them under the **oak** which was near Shechem// |
| *Joshua 24:26 - //under the oak that was by the sanctuary// | *Joshua 24:26 - //under the **oak** that was by the sanctuary// |
| *Judges 6:11 - //and he sat under an oak which was in Ophrah// | *Judges 6:11 - //and he sat under an **oak** which was in Ophrah// |
| *Judges 6:19 - //and brought [it] out unto him under the oak, and presented// | *Judges 6:19 - //and brought [it] out unto him under the **oak**, and presented// |
| *2 Samuel 18:9 - //of a great oak, and his head caught fast in the oak, so he was left hanging// | *2 Samuel 18:9 - //of a great oak, and his head caught fast in the **oak**, so he was left hanging// |
| *1 Kings 13:14 - //him sitting under an oak: and he said// | *1 Kings 13:14 - //him sitting under an **oak**: and he said// |
| *1 Chronicles 10:12 - //laid their bones under the oak in Jabesh// | *1 Chronicles 10:12 - //laid their bones under the **oak** in Jabesh// |
| *Isaiah 1:30 - //you will be like an oak whose leaf// | *Isaiah 1:30 - //you will be like an **oak** whose leaf// |
| *Isaiah 6:13 - //will be [subject] to burning, Like a terebinth or an oak// | *Isaiah 6:13 - //will be [subject] to burning, Like a **terebinth or an oak**// |
| *Ezekiel 6:13 - //and under every thick oak poplar and terebinth whose shade is pleasant// | *Ezekiel 6:13 - //and under every thick **oak poplar and terebinth** whose shade is pleasant// |
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| Contextually, the interpretation of "tree" clearly makes sense. We see the tree acting as a place under which one may rest or bury a treasure((a lone tree in a desert wilderness providing a readily identifiable landmark, and relatively soft soil in which to dig)), or the remains of a loved one, but which burns readily, and upon which it is possible to hang from. | Contextually, the interpretation of "tree" clearly makes sense. We see the tree acting as a place under which one may rest or bury a treasure((a lone tree in a desert wilderness providing a readily identifiable landmark, and relatively soft soil in which to dig)), or the remains of a loved one, but which burns readily, and upon which it is possible to hang from - all actions indicated by the listings above. |
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| With this knowledge then, the other instances of 'aleh' can be examined with a question in mind. What happens if we use a consistent translation? Instead of ignoring what we know, can we use the "tree" meaning in other instances where 'aleh' is found but has traditionally been translated differently? Isn't it somewhat important to come to a consistent and unswerving understanding of this critical word? That this word is critical is incontrovertible given the fact that it is this root word upon which is built one of the most important words in the Hebrew lexicon, the [[alehim]], more commonly known as the "Elohim". | With this knowledge then, the other instances of 'aleh' can be examined with a question in mind. What happens if we use a consistent translation? Instead of ignoring what we know, we can use the "tree" meaning in other instances where 'aleh' is found but has traditionally been translated differently. It is important to use a consistent and unswerving understanding of this critical word, particularly given the fact that it is the root word upon which is built one of the most important words in the Hebrew lexicon, the [[alehim]], more commonly known as the "Elohim". |
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| ====the Tree Of Accounting==== | ====the Tree Of Accounting==== |
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| In the book of Genesis alone, there are 79 instances of 'alh'. | In the book of Genesis alone, there are 79 instances of 'aleh'. |
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| The first occurrence is in Genesis 2:4 which speaks of a tree accounting and a division of territory being establish between the [[shemim]] and Jehovah The Elohim. | The first occurrence is in Genesis 2:4 which speaks of a "tree of accounting". It also tells of a division of territory being establish between the [[shemim]] and Jehovah The Elohim. This intriguing motif of a "tree of accounting" recurs several times in Genesis, first in reference to Noah and his sons((Genesis 6:9, Genesis 9:19, Genesis 10:1)), then referring to the neighboring maritime peoples and surrounding nations((Genesis 10:5, Genesis 10:20, Genesis 10:29, Genesis 10:31, Genesis 10:32, Genesis 11:10, Genesis 14:3, Genesis 25:4)). The tree of accounting also appears within the story of Abraham((Genesis 11:27, Genesis 15:1, Genesis 25:7, Genesis 25:12, Genesis 25:13, Genesis 25:16, Genesis 25:17, Genesis 25:19, and 26 more instances in Genesis chapter 36.)) In each of these cases there appears to be some connection between the tree and the division of property. |
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| The motif of a "tree of accounting" recurs in reference to Noah and his sons((Genesis 6:9, Genesis 9:19, Genesis 10:1)), then referring to the neighboring maritime peoples and surrounding nations((Genesis 10:5, Genesis 10:20, Genesis 10:29, Genesis 10:31, Genesis 10:32, Genesis 11:10, Genesis 14:3, Genesis 25:4)) | |
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| This tree of accounting appears also within the story of Abraham((Genesis 11:27, Genesis 15:1, Genesis 25:7, Genesis 25:12, Genesis 25:13, Genesis 25:16, Genesis 25:17, Genesis 25:19, and 26 more instances in Genesis chapter 36.)) | |
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| | Genesis 36 speaks at length of the "tree ([[aleh]]) of kings of [[adem]]", a geneology which also refers to "the land of adem", possibly "the red land" or "the land of humans". FIXME A few of the Other Occurances listed below are probably used in this same context. |
| ===Other Trees=== | ===Other Trees=== |
| 'alh' is not the only ancient Hebrew word that indicates a tree. [[yx]] also means tree. | 'aleh' is not the only ancient Hebrew word that indicates a tree. |
| | [[yex]] also means tree. |
| | [[alon]] is also traditionally translated as tree, but etymological clues indicate that it might more accurately represent a land. |
| ====Other Occurrences==== | ====Other Occurrences==== |
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| LexID 421 - 429 | LexID |
| | [[https://bara.foundation/cgi-bin/lex.php?lexid=421|421]] - 429 |
