Original Word: אַיִל
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: ayil
Pronunciation: ah'-yil
Phonetic Spelling: (ah'-yil)
KJV: mighty (man), lintel, oak, post, ram, tree
Word Origin: [from the same as H193 (אוּל - Mighty)]

1. (properly) strength
2. (hence) anything strong
3. (specifically, politically) a chief
4. (also) a ram (from his strength)
5. a pilaster (as a strong support)
6. an oak or other strong tree

mighty man, lintel, oak, post, ram, tree

From the same as 'uwl; properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically a chief (politically); also a ram (from his strength); a pilaster (as a strong support); an oak or other strong tree -- mighty (man), lintel, oak, post, ram, tree.

see HEBREW 'uwl

I. אַ֫יִל₁₅₆ noun masculine^{Genesis 22:13} ram (as leader of flock, Late Hebrew & Aramaic id., Assyrian ailu Dl^W, Phoenician איל, = אַיִל rather than אַיָּל, compare CIS^{l. p. 231}) — (אָ֑יִל) אַיִל Genesis 15:9 +; construct אֵיל Exodus 29:22 +; plural אֵילִים (אֵילִם, אֵלִים) Genesis 32:15 +; construct אֵילֵי Genesis 31:38; Isaiah 60:7. — ram,

1 used as food Genesis 31:38 (E) Deuteronomy 32:14 (compare ram of sacrifice, below e.g. Exodus 29:32 compare Leviticus 8:31); as yielding wool 2 Kings 3:4; as tribute 2Chronicles 17:11; as merchandise Ezekiel 27:21; as gift Genesis 32:15 (E); in simile of leaping, skipping Psalm 114:4 (׳הֶהָרִים רָקְדוּ כְּא) Psalm 114:6; in Daniel's vision, ram with two horns symbolizing kings of Media and Persia Daniel 8:3,4,6,7 (4 t. in verse); Daniel 8:20; figurative of rich and powerful in Israel Ezekiel 34:17.

2 slain in ceremony of ratification of convenant between ׳י & Abraham Genesis 15:9 (J); in Abraham's sacrifice Genesis 22:13 (twice in verse) (E); Balaam's sacrifice Numbers 23:1 5t. Numbers 23 (JE); so in ritual (P), (a) in consecration ceremony of Aaron & his sons Exodus 29:1 15t. Exodus 29 (׳א מִלֻּאִים Exodus 29:22 compare Exodus 29:26; Exodus 29:27; Exodus 29:31) Leviticus 8:2 8t. Leviticus 8 (הַמִּלֻּאִים ׳א Leviticus 8:22; Leviticus 8:29 הָעֹלָה ׳א Leviticus 8:18); (b) in guilt-offering (אָשָׁם) Leviticus 5:15,16,18; Leviticus 5:25; Leviticus 19:21,22 compare Ezra 10:19 & הַכִּמֻּרִים ׳א Numbers 5:8; (c) burnt-offering (עֹלָה) Leviticus 9:2 & Numbers 15:6,11 & Ezekiel 46:4,5,6,7,11, on day of atonement Leviticus 16:3,5, Pentecost Leviticus 23:18; (d) peace-offering (שְׁלָמִים) Leviticus 9:4,18,19; beginning of month Numbers 28:11,12,14; compare Numbers 29:2,3; passover Numbers 29:19; Numbers 29:20 compare Ezekiel 45:23,24; day of firstfruits Ezekiel 45:27; Ezekiel 45:28; in 7th month Ezekiel 29:8 18t. Numbers 29; (e) in law of Nazarite Numbers 6:14,17,19; (f) in consecration of altar of tabernacle Numbers 7:15 25t. Numbers 7, compare consecration of Ezekiel's temple-altar Ezekiel 43:23,25; (g) more Generally 1 Samuel 15:22; Isaiah 1:11; Micah 6:7; Job 42:8; Psalm 66:15, also Isaiah 34:6; Isaiah 60:7; at bringing ark to Jerusalem 1 Chronicles 15:26; others occasions 1 Chronicles 29:21; 2Chronicles 13:9; 29:21,22,32; Ezra 8:35; compare figurative Jeremiah 51:40; Ezekiel 39:18.

3 עֹרֹת אֵילִים מְאָדָּמִים rams' skins dyed red, of covering of tabernacle Exodus 25:5; Exodus 26:14; Exodus 35:7,23; Exodus 36:19; compare Exodus 39:34 (all P).

II. אַ֫יִל noun [masculine] projecting pillar or pilaster — ׳א absolute 1 Kings 6:31 (but see below) construct id. Ezekiel 40:14 (but strike out Co):16 (Co better אֵילָיו); אֵיל Ezekiel 41:3, אֵל Ezekiel 40:48; plural אֵילִים Ezekiel 40:14 +; אֵילִם Ezekiel 40:10; suffix אילו Kt Ezekiel 40:9 7t.; אלו Kt Ezekiel 40:29 2t. Qr (in all) אֵילָיו, אֵלָיו; אֵלֵיהֵמָֿה Ezekiel 40:16; — pilaster or projection in wall at each side of entrance (compare Bö^{Proben, 302}; NÄ 927), in Solomon's temple 1 Kings 6:31 (Bö^{NÄ 525} reads אֵילָם), in Ezekiel's temple Ezekiel 40:9,10 14t. Ezekiel 40..41 + Ezekiel 40:14 a Ew Hi Co אילם compare ᵐ5 B; Ezekiel 40:38 read אילם so Sm Co compare ᵐ5; Ezekiel 40:14 b Co strike out ׳א.

III. [אַ֫יִל?] noun masculine leader, chief (= ram, as leader of flock ? compare Di Exodus 15:15 Ol^{§142 f} Lag^{BN 170 &} see Ezekiel 34:17) — construct אֵל Ezekiel 31:11; plural construct אֵילֵי Exodus 15:15; Ezekiel 17:13 + 2 Kings 24:15 Qr (Kt אולי see אוּל); אֵלֵי Ezekiel 32:21 (strike out Co, see ᵐ5). — leader, chief מוֺאָב ׳א Exodus 15:15; הָאָרֶץ ׳א Ezekiel 17:13; 2 Kings 24:15 Qr; גּוֺיִם ׳א Ezekiel 31:11 (אֵלִים Job 41:17 see below אלה; perhaps אֵלֵיהֶם Ezekiel 31:14 but compare below IV. איל & also אֶל Note 1).

IV. [אַ֫יִל?] noun masculine terebinth (probably as prominent, lofty tree, see Di Genesis 12:6; Genesis 14:6) — construct אֵיל only proper name אֵיל מָּארָן see below; plural אֵילִים Isaiah 1:29; אֵלִים Isaiah 57:5 construct אֵילֵי Isaiah 61:3; suffix אֵלֵיהֶם Ezekiel 31:14 (> strike out Co. see ᵑ9 ᵑ8 [Arabic Versions]). — terebinth (compare אֵלָה); as marking idol-shrines Isaiah 1:29; Isaiah 57:5 (so Che Di etc. > gods); figurative of ransomed ones of Zion אֵילֵי הַצֶּדֶק; perhaps of haughty ones Ezekiel 31:14.

Zoological and Sacrificial Usage: The Ram

The earliest mention of אַיִל occurs in the account of Abraham and Isaac: “Then Abraham looked up and saw behind him a ram caught in a thicket by its horns” (Genesis 22:13). From that moment onward the ram becomes the standard male of the flock offered for burnt offerings, fellowship offerings, ordination rites, guilt offerings, and Nazirite rituals (Exodus 29:15-18; Leviticus 5:15-16; Leviticus 8:18-22; Numbers 6:14-17). Because the ram is a mature, vigorous animal, its sacrifice signified costliness and full consecration before the LORD.

Symbol of Substitution and Atonement

Genesis 22 establishes the ram as a substitute, foreshadowing the greater substitution accomplished by Jesus Christ. Abraham’s declaration, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided” (Genesis 22:14), unites the imagery of the ram with the later sacrificial system and ultimately with the cross (John 1:29). Priestly ordination required two rams: one for a burnt offering, one for consecration (Exodus 29:19-22). The guilty Israelite brought a ram plus prescribed restitution (Leviticus 5:16), reinforcing the principle that atonement is both substitutionary and costly.

Cultic and Liturgical Functions

1. Daily and Festival Offerings: Rams appear in the regular morning and evening sacrifices (Numbers 28:3-8) and in additional festival offerings for Passover, Weeks, Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles (Numbers 28–29).
2. Community Dedications: At the completion of the tabernacle, each tribal prince presented “one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering” (Numbers 7:15).
3. Personal Vows: The Nazirite who completed a vow brought “one unblemished male lamb a year old for a burnt offering, one unblemished ewe lamb a year old for a sin offering, one unblemished ram for a fellowship offering” (Numbers 6:14).

Prophetic and Eschatological Imagery

Isaiah foresees judgment in which “the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah and a great slaughter in the land of Edom—the wild oxen will fall with them, and the young bulls with the mighty bulls” (Isaiah 34:6-7). The same prophet envisions future worship: “All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered to you, the rams of Nebaioth will serve you; they will be acceptable on My altar” (Isaiah 60:7). Daniel’s vision of a two-horned ram represents the Medo-Persian empire (Daniel 8:3-7), underscoring political might under divine sovereignty.

Ram’s Horn (Shofar) and Worship

Although אַיִל designates the animal rather than the horn, the horns of rams supply the shofar used to herald the Jubilee (Leviticus 25:9), assemble the people (Joshua 6:4-6), and proclaim kingship (1 Kings 1:34). The ram therefore contributes materially to Israel’s liturgical life beyond its own sacrifice.

Metaphorical Usage: Strength and Leadership

Because the ram leads the flock, the noun becomes a title for rulers and men of valor. “The princes of Zoan have become fools; the leaders of Memphis are deceived” (Isaiah 19:13). David’s mighty men are called “chiefs” (1 Chronicles 7:40), employing the same term. The nuance of endurance and stability moves from the animal realm to sociopolitical leadership.

Architectural Usage: Pillars and Doorposts

In the tabernacle and Solomon’s temple, אַיִל describes structural supports: “He made posts of acacia wood for it” (Exodus 36:38) and “posts of olive wood” (1 Kings 6:31). Ezekiel’s visionary temple likewise includes “gateposts” (Ezekiel 40:9). The semantic link is strength—just as the ram bears weight in leading the flock, so the post bears weight in God’s dwelling.

Christological Significance

The substitution of the ram in Genesis 22 prefigures the “once for all” sacrifice of Christ (Hebrews 10:10). The ram’s horns anticipate the “horn of salvation” raised up in the house of David (Luke 1:69). Its role in priestly ordination echoes the consecrating work of Christ, who brings “many sons to glory” and declares believers to be “a royal priesthood” (Hebrews 2:10; 1 Peter 2:9).

Pastoral and Ministry Applications

1. Costly Worship: Like the ram of ordination, ministry requires wholehearted devotion.
2. Substitutionary Grace: The ram reminds believers to proclaim the gospel of the perfect Substitute.
3. Godly Leadership: Shepherd-leaders should mirror the strength and guidance symbolized by the ram while pointing to the Chief Shepherd.
4. Stability in Service: As architectural אַיִל strengthens the house of God, so mature believers are called “pillars” (Galatians 2:9) supporting the local assembly.

Representative Occurrences

• Genesis 22:13-14 – Substitution on Moriah
• Exodus 29:3-26 – Priestly ordination rams
• Leviticus 5:15-18; 6:6 – Guilt offerings
• Numbers 6:14-17 – Nazirite vow completion
• Numbers 7:15-88 – Tribal offerings
• Numbers 28:19-29:38 – Festival rams
• Judges 6:19 – Gideon prepares a ram for the Angel of the LORD
• 1 Samuel 15:22 – “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”
• 1 Kings 6:31-33 – Temple doorposts
• 2 Kings 3:4 – King Mesha’s tribute of “a hundred thousand lambs and a hundred thousand rams, with the wool.”
• 1 Chronicles 29:21 – Dedication of the temple gifts
• Ezra 6:17 – Temple dedication offerings after exile
• Job 42:8 – Job’s friends instructed to bring rams for burnt offerings
• Psalm 66:15 – David vows “the fat of rams”
• Isaiah 34:6-7; 60:7 – Judgment and restoration
• Ezekiel 40–46 – Millennial temple gateposts and offerings
• Daniel 8:3-4 – Vision of the ram with two horns

Summary

Across roughly one hundred eighty-three occurrences, אַיִל binds together sacrifice, leadership, strength, and stability. Whether on the altar, in the field, or as a metaphor for rulers and pillars, the ram points to the ultimate provision of God: a perfect Substitute and unfailing Stronghold for His people.

אֵ֖יל אֵ֚יל אֵ֣יל אֵ֣ל אֵ֥יל אֵֽיל־ אֵיל֙ אֵילִ֑ים אֵילִ֔ים אֵילִ֖ים אֵילִ֖ם אֵילִ֜ים אֵילִ֣ים ׀ אֵילִ֣ם אֵילִ֤ים אֵילִ֤ם אֵילִ֥ים אֵילִ֧ם אֵילִ֨ים אֵילִֽים׃ אֵילֵ֣י אֵילֵ֥י אֵילָ֑יו אֵילָ֖יו אֵילָֽיו׃ אֵילָיו֙ אֵלִ֖ים אֵלֵיהֵ֨מָה אֵלֵיהֶ֛ם אֵלָ֖יו אֵלָ֣יו אַ֔יִל אַ֖יִל אַ֣יִל אַ֧יִל איל איל־ אילי איליו איליו׃ אילים אילים׃ אילם אל אליהם אליהמה אליו אלים בְּאֵ֤יל בְּאֵ֥יל בְּאֵילִ֖ים בָּאַ֖יִל באיל באילים הָ֠אַיִל הָ֣אֵילִ֔ים הָֽאֵילִ֔ים הָֽאֵילִם֙ הָאֵילִ֗ים הָאֵילִֽם׃ הָאֵלִ֗ים הָאַ֔יִל הָאַ֗יִל הָאַ֙יִל֙ הָאַ֜יִל הָאַ֡יִל הָאַ֣יִל הָאַ֥יִל הָאַיִל֒ הָאָ֑יִל הָאָֽיִל׃ האיל האיל׃ האילים האילם האילם׃ האלים וְאֵילִ֣ם וְאֵילִ֤ים וְאֵילִ֥ים וְאֵילִ֥ם וְאֵילִ֨ים וְאֵילִים֙ וְאֵילֵ֥י וְאֵילָ֖יו וְאֵילָ֗יו וְאֵילָ֤יו וְאֵלָ֤יו וְאַ֣יִל וְאַ֥יִל וְאַֽיִל־ וָאַ֖יִל וָאַ֜יִל ואיל ואיל־ ואילי ואיליו ואילים ואילם ואליו כְּאֵילִ֖ים כְאֵילִ֑ים כאילים לָאֵילִ֖ים לָאֵילִ֖ם לָאֵילִ֧ם לָאַ֔יִל לָאַ֖יִל לָאַ֗יִל לָאַ֙יִל֙ לָאַ֣יִל לָאַ֧יִל לָאָֽיִל׃ לאיל לאיל׃ לאילים לאילם מֵאֵ֣יל מֵאֵ֤יל מֵאֵיל֙ מֵאֵילִ֖ים מאיל מאילים ’a·yil ’ayil ’ê·lāw ’ê·lê ’ê·lê·hê·māh ’ê·lê·hem ’ê·lim ’ê·lîm ’êl ’êl- ’êlāw ’êlê ’êlêhem ’êlêhêmāh ’êlim ’êlîm Ayil bā’ayil bā·’a·yil baAyil bə’êl bə’êlîm bə·’ê·lîm bə·’êl beEil beeiLim cheeiLim eil eiLav eiLei eiLim el eLav eleiHem eleiHemah eLim hā’ayil hā’āyil hā’êlim hā’êlîm hā·’a·yil hā·’ā·yil hā·’ê·lim hā·’ê·lîm haAyil haeiLim haeLim kə’êlîm ḵə’êlîm kə·’ê·lîm ḵə·’ê·lîm keeiLim lā’ayil lā’āyil lā’êlim lā’êlîm lā·’a·yil lā·’ā·yil lā·’ê·lim lā·’ê·lîm laAyil laeiLim mê’êl mê’êlîm mê·’ê·lîm mê·’êl meEil meeiLim vaAyil veAyil veeiLav veeiLei veeiLim veeLav wā’ayil wā·’a·yil wə’ayil wə’ayil- wə’êlāw wə’êlê wə’êlim wə’êlîm wə·’a·yil wə·’a·yil- wə·’ê·lāw wə·’ê·lê wə·’ê·lim wə·’ê·lîmInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts