Original Word: אַלְלַי
Part of Speech: Interjection
Transliteration: alelay
Pronunciation: al-lay
Phonetic Spelling: (al-le-lah'ee)
Definition: Woe, Alas
Meaning: alas!

Word Origin: Derived from the root אָלַל (alal), which conveys a sense of wailing or lamentation.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Greek equivalent often used in the Septuagint and the New Testament is οὐαί (ouai), which also means "woe" or "alas." This term is used in the New Testament, notably in the Gospels, where Jesus pronounces woes upon unrepentant cities and hypocritical religious leaders (e.g., Matthew 23:13-29).

Usage: The Hebrew word "alelay" is an interjection used to express deep sorrow, distress, or lamentation. It is often found in contexts of mourning or when pronouncing judgment or calamity. The term conveys a profound emotional response to tragedy or divine judgment.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Hebrew culture, expressions of lament were a significant part of communal and individual life, especially in response to national disasters, personal loss, or divine judgment. The use of interjections like "alelay" reflects the deep emotional and spiritual engagement of the Hebrew people with their circumstances and their God. Lamentations were often accompanied by physical expressions of grief, such as tearing clothes, wearing sackcloth, and ashes.

Word Origin
a prim. interj.
Definition
alas! woe!
NASB Translation
woe (2).

אַלְלַי interjection (probably onomatopoetic: compare , אָלָה, to wail, woe! Di⁷¹⁸) alas! woe! followed by לִי to me Micah 7:1; Job 10:15.

woe

By reduplication from 'alah; alas! -- woe.

see HEBREW 'alah

אַ֣לְלַי אַלְלַ֬י אללי ’al·lay ’allay alLaiInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts