5924. ella
Lexical Summary
ella: Oak, terebinth

Original Word: עֵלָּא
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: `ella'
Pronunciation: ay-LAH
Phonetic Spelling: (ale-law')
KJV: over
NASB: over
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) from H592 (אֲנִיָה - mourning)2]

1. above

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
over

(Aramaic) from al; above -- over.

see HEBREW al

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
(Aramaic) from al
Definition
above
NASB Translation
over (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
עֵ֫לָּא adverb above (from

noun עֵל, with א#NAME?§ 44. l n.; Nabataean, Egyptian Aramaic, id., Lzb341 S-CA 5+; ᵑ7 עֵיל, עֵילָא; Syriac in above); — Daniel 6:3 עֵ֫לָּא מִנְּהוֺן above (over) them (compare Cooke96. 2, Deuteronomy 28:43 ᵑ7).

Topical Lexicon
Context and Narrative Setting

The word עֵלָּא appears once in the Old Testament, in Daniel 6:2, within the Aramaic section of Daniel. It designates the office held by Daniel and two colleagues whom Darius placed “over them three administrators, including Daniel” (Daniel 6:2). The term thus identifies a high-ranking overseer set above the satraps of the Medo-Persian Empire, entrusted with protecting the king’s interests.

Historical Background

After Babylon’s fall (Daniel 5:30-31), Darius reorganized the empire to secure revenue and order. Persian kings commonly employed a three-tiered hierarchy: the monarch, senior administrators, and provincial governors. The office denoted by עֵלָּא corresponds to those senior administrators. Contemporary Persian records call similar officials “protectors of the realm,” confirming the biblical portrayal of Daniel as a trusted guardian of state assets and justice.

Administrative Function and Responsibilities

1. Fiscal oversight: “so that the king would not suffer loss” (Daniel 6:2).
2. Legal review: files and petitions ascended through these administrators before reaching the throne (compare Esther 3:12-13).
3. Accountability: Daniel’s blameless record (Daniel 6:4) shows the moral rigor expected of the office.
4. Representation: they embodied royal authority in the provinces, foreshadowing the New Testament concept of stewardship (Luke 12:42-44).

Biblical Theology of Excellence and Oversight

• Divine promotion: Daniel’s elevation echoes Joseph’s rise in Genesis 41:39-41, illustrating that “it is God who judges; He brings one down, He exalts another” (Psalm 75:7).
• Faithful service: “He was trustworthy; no negligence or corruption was found in him” (Daniel 6:4), illustrating Proverbs 22:29: “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings.”
• Government as God-ordained: Daniel’s role models Romans 13:1-4, showing believers may serve faithfully even under pagan regimes without compromising worship.

Christological Foreshadowing

Daniel, an exile exalted to protect a kingdom, anticipates Christ, the righteous Exile who, after humiliation, is enthroned “far above all rule and authority” (Ephesians 1:21). The jealousy of peers, the plot against his life, and miraculous deliverance (Daniel 6:16-23) prefigure the injustice, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Integrity in the workplace: Daniel’s irreproachable administration encourages believers to “do it wholeheartedly, as to the Lord and not to men” (Colossians 3:23).
• Prayer amid pressure: Daniel balanced civil duty with spiritual discipline (Daniel 6:10), teaching leaders to anchor governance in communion with God.
• Courage against corrupt systems: when ethical conflict arose, Daniel obeyed God rather than man, exemplifying Acts 5:29.

Related Scriptures

Genesis 41:39-41; Esther 10:2-3; Proverbs 16:7; Proverbs 22:29; Romans 13:3-4; Colossians 3:22-24; 1 Timothy 3:1-7.

Legacy for the People of God

The lone occurrence of עֵלָּא captures a timeless truth: God positions His servants in strategic authority to bless nations, display righteousness, and point forward to the ultimate reign of Christ.

Forms and Transliterations
וְעֵ֤לָּא ועלא veElla wə‘êllā wə·‘êl·lā
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Daniel 6:2
HEB: וְעֵ֤לָּא מִנְּהוֹן֙ סָרְכִ֣ין
NAS: and over them three commissioners
KJV: And over these three
INT: and over these commissioners

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 5924
1 Occurrence


wə·‘êl·lā — 1 Occ.

5923
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