Original Word: אֵל
Part of Speech: pronoun plural masculine and feminine
Transliteration: el
Pronunciation: āl
Phonetic Spelling: (ale)
NASB: these, those
Word Origin: [a demonstrative particle (but only in a plural sense) these or those]

1. these, those

these, those

A demonstrative particle (but only in a plural sense) these or those -- these, those. Compare 'el-leh.

see HEBREW 'el-leh

Word Origin
a prim. pronoun
Definition
these
NASB Translation
these (8), those (1).

I. אֵל pronoun plural masculine & feminine = the more usual אֵלֶּה, these 1 Chronicles 20:8; with article הָאֵל Genesis 19:8; Genesis 19:25; Genesis 26:3; Genesis 26:4; Leviticus 18:27; Deuteronomy 4:42; Deuteronomy 7:72; Deuteronomy 19:11. (Merely an orthographic variation of אֵלֶּה, and doubtless pronounced similarly; the kindred dialects have in Genl. a dissyllabic form: see below אֵלֶּה. Written similarly in Phoenician, e.g. CIS Deuteronomy 3:22; Deuteronomy 14:5; Deut 93:3(האל), but ZMG^{1875, 240} (Neo-Punic) אלא; in Plaut. Poen. see I. 9 transliterated ily; Schroed^{Phoenician Gr. p. 81, 160, 286 ff.})

Overview

Strong’s Hebrew 411 designates a demonstrative pronoun that singles out particular persons, places, or things already within view or under discussion. Though it appears only nine times, every occurrence carries weight by drawing the reader’s attention to specific objects of divine concern—whether people under judgment, lands under promise, abominations under prohibition, or enemies destined for defeat.

Usage in Genesis: Moral Contrast and Covenant Promise

• Genesis 19:8 focuses the crowd’s attention on “these men,” guests under Lot’s protection. The pronoun highlights the sanctity of hospitality and foreshadows judgment on the city.
• Genesis 19:25 emphasizes that the LORD “destroyed these cities”, underscoring the totality of divine judgment on systemic wickedness.
• Genesis 26:3–4 repeats the pledge, “I will give all these lands to you and your offspring”. The demonstrative gathers the territories of the Philistines, Gerar, and surrounding regions into one visible inheritance, reinforcing continuity with the Abrahamic covenant.

Levitical Legislation: Defining Purity

Leviticus 18:27 gathers together “all these abominations” into a single catalogue of forbidden practices. By compressing multiple sins under one demonstrative, the text intensifies the moral boundary around Israel’s calling to holiness.

Deuteronomic Applications: Gradual Conquest and Cities of Refuge

• Deuteronomy 4:42 and 19:11 refer to “these cities,” the places of asylum where justice and mercy meet. The pronoun cements their legal status: fixed locations, accessible and divinely appointed.
• Deuteronomy 7:22 points to “these nations” whom the LORD will expel “little by little”. The demonstrative keeps Israel’s focus on specific adversaries, encouraging patience and reliance on divine strategy.

Historical Memory in the Monarchy

1 Chronicles 20:8 recounts that “these were descendants of the giants in Gath”. The pronoun marks the Philistine champions as tangible proofs of God’s past victories through David, strengthening Israel’s collective faith.

Theological Reflections

1. Divine Particularity: Each use signals that God deals with concrete realities—actual men, cities, lands, sins, and enemies—not abstractions.
2. Covenant Continuity: From Abraham’s promised “lands” to David’s subdued giants, the same demonstrative circles back to promises kept.
3. Moral Clarity: By bundling forbidden acts or judged entities under “these,” Scripture delineates holiness with unmistakable lines.
4. Pastoral Implication: The preacher can press the text on the conscience by moving from “these” specific issues in the passage to the listener’s specific life situations.

Ministry Significance

• Counseling: Leviticus 18:27 guides believers in naming and turning from “these” modern counterparts to ancient abominations.
• Teaching on God’s Timing: Deuteronomy 7:22 supplies comfort when deliverance is incremental, reminding disciples that “little by little” is still divine faithfulness.
• Evangelism and Apologetics: Genesis 19 and 1 Chronicles 20 serve as historical witnesses to God’s judgment and salvation, equipping believers to answer skepticism about divine justice.

Key Takeaways

1. Strong’s 411 always narrows the field, demanding reader attention to God’s immediate objects of action.
2. In narrative, it frames contrast—Lot’s guests versus Sodom, Isaac’s promised lands versus surrounding threats.
3. In law, it fences holiness.
4. In prophecy and history, it celebrates fulfilled promises and victories.

Recognizing the force of this small pronoun sharpens exegesis and enriches proclamation, reminding the Church that the God of Scripture acts precisely, remembers specifically, and fulfills completely.

אֵ֛ל אל הָאֵ֑ל הָאֵ֔ל הָאֵ֖ל הָאֵ֛ל הָאֵֽל׃ הָאֵל֙ האל האל׃ ’êl el hā’êl hā·’êl haElInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts