Original Word: אַל
Part of Speech: adverb of negation
Transliteration: al
Pronunciation: ahl
Phonetic Spelling: (al)
KJV: nay, neither, + never, no ,nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than
NASB: no, nor, nothing, never, none, neither, neither their nor
Word Origin: [a negative particle (akin to H3808 (לוֹא לוֹה - no))]

1. (qualified negation) not (used as a deprecative)
2. (as a noun) nothing (used once in Job 24

nay, neither, never, no, nor, not, nothing, rather than

A negative particle (akin to lo'); not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun, nothing -- nay, neither, + never, no,nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than.

see HEBREW lo'

Word Origin
a prim. particle
Definition
not (a subjective neg.)
NASB Translation
neither (1), neither their nor (1), neither them nor (1), never (2), never* (2), no (46), none (2), none* (4), nor (36), nothing (3), nothing* (4), rather (1), so (1), worthless (1).

II. אַל adverb of negation (so Phoenician e.g. CIS^i.3,4.5.8, Biblical Aramaic, Sabean (DHM^{ZMG 1875, 596}), and in the Ethiopic albo, is not), denying however, not objectively as a fact (like לֹא οὐ), but subjectively as a wish (like μή), expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition:

a. (a) with a verb, which is then always an imperfect (never an imperative), by preference in the cohortative or jussive mood, where this is in use, and may be of any person or number; Genesis 15:1 and often אַלתִּֿירָא fear not! Genesis 22:12 אַלתִּֿשְׁלַח יָָֽדְךָ put not forth thy hand, Genesis 37:27 וְיָדֵנוּ אַלתְּֿהִיבֿוֺ and let not our hand be upon him, Genesis 21:16 אַלאֶֿרְאֶה let me not look upon the death of the lad! Psalm 25:2 אַלאֵֿבוֺשָׁה let me not be ashamed; with 1 plural (rare) 2 Samuel 13:25; Jeremiah 18:18; Jonah 1:14. In an imprecation: Genesis 49:4 אַלתּֿוֺתַר have not thou the excellency! Psalm 109:12; Job 3:4,6. Sometimes strengthened by נָא : Genesis 13:8; Genesis 18:3 and elsewhere (b) without a verb, (α) 2 Samuel 1:21 let (there be) not dew & not rain upon you! Isaiah 62:6; Psalm 83:1. (β) used absolutely, in deprecation Genesis 19:18; 2 Samuel 13:16 (see below אוֺדָה) 2 Kings 3:13; 2 Kings 4:16; 2 Kings 6:27 (see RVm: but possibly to be explained by Dr^{§ 152 iii}; so Th Ke: hardly as Ew^{§ 355 b}) Ruth 1:13 אַל בְּנֹתַי Nay, my daughters, compare Judges 19:23; (γ) after a preceding imperative Amos 5:14; Joel 2:13; Proverbs 8:10, a jussive Proverbs 27:2, an infinitive absolute Proverbs 27:2. (χ) in poetry אַל sometimes expresses vividly the emotion or sympathy of the poet (see Dr^{§ 56-8}); Isaiah 2:9 וְאַלתִּֿשָּׂא לָהֶם and forgive them not! (with a touch of passion), Psalm 41:3; Proverbs 3:25; Job 5:22; Psalm 34:6 (but ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Ew Che here read וּפְנֵיכֶם, probably rightly); Psalm 50:3 a may our God come וְאַלֿ יֶ֫חֱשָרשׁ and not be silent! (the psalmist identifying himself with a spectator of the scene Psalm 50:2,3b-c) Psalm 121:3 (contrast Psalm 121:4 לֹא) Jeremiah 46:6 +.

b. once Proverbs 12:28 joined closely to a substantive (compare לֹא 2 b) to express with emphasis its negation: In the way of righteousness is life, and in the pathway therecf אַלמָֿוֶת there is no-death! i.e. immortality.

c. once Job 24:25 used in poetry as a substantive, And bring my words לְאַל to nought! — N.B. 1 Samuel 27:10 אַלמְּֿשַׁטְתֶּם הַיּוֺם, אַל with the perfect is against all analogy; and either אֶלמִֿי (with ᵐ5. ᵑ9), or better אָן whither? (with ᵑ6 ᵑ7 : see 1 Samuel 10:14) must be read.

Overview

The particle אַל (ʾal) is the primary Hebrew term for a direct prohibition: “do not,” “never,” “let not.” Appearing roughly 725 times, it frames divine and human speech wherever an urgent boundary is drawn. Unlike the permanent moral negation expressed by לֹא (lōʾ), אַל usually marks an immediate, situation-based injunction voiced in exhortation, warning, intercession, or consolation.

Grammatical and Literary Function

1. Second-person prohibitions: “Do not fear them” (Deuteronomy 1:29).
2. Third-person jussives: “May the wicked not destroy Your vine” (implicit in Psalm 80:16).
3. Paired negatives for emphasis: “Do not fear, nor be dismayed” (Joshua 10:25).
4. Expressive interjections in narrative: “Alas, my master! Do not deceive your servant” (2 Kings 4:28).

Because אַל typically precedes a shortened (jussive or cohortative) verb, the form adds urgency and pastoral warmth: a father pleading with a child rather than a judge reciting statute.

Covenant Context

In the Torah, אַל serves the covenantal dialogue. Moses relays Yahweh’s compassionate restraints as Israel prepares to enter the land:

• Deuteronomy 7:18 — “Do not be afraid of them; remember well what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and all Egypt.”
• Numbers 14:9 — “Only do not rebel against the LORD, and do not be afraid of the people of the land.”

Such verses reveal the heart of the covenant: prohibition not as restriction alone but as assurance—Israel need not fear because the LORD is present.

The Ten Commandments and Case Law

The Decalogue itself employs לֹא, yet immediately afterward אַל colors application scenes:

• Exodus 22:28 — “You must not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.”
• Exodus 23:2 — “Do not follow the crowd in wrongdoing.”

Here, אַל personalizes the unchanging moral core. Where לֹא forbids the act, אַל summons the conscience in real time.

Prophetic Warnings and Comfort

Prophets fuse sharp warning with tender appeal:

• Isaiah 41:10 — “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God.”
• Jeremiah 46:27 — “But you, My servant Jacob, do not be afraid; do not be dismayed, O Israel.”

The repeated pairing of “do not fear” with covenant identity anchors hope amid judgment. אַל thus frames both the rod and the staff.

Wisdom and Worship

Psalms and Proverbs abound with אַל, guiding interior life:

• Psalm 37:1 — “Do not fret over those who do evil; do not envy those who do wrong.”
• Psalm 46:2 — “Therefore we will not fear, though the earth is transformed.”
• Proverbs 3:5 — “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.”
• Proverbs 24:17 — “Do not gloat when your enemy falls.”

Praise, lament, and instruction merge as believers are taught how to feel, think, and speak before God.

Intercessory Pleas

Faithful servants employ אַל when pleading for mercy:

• Genesis 18:30 — “May the Lord not be angry, and I will speak further.”
• Psalm 25:7 — “Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my rebellious acts.”

Such usage underscores bold access to God while acknowledging His holiness.

Historical Influence on Worship and Ethics

Jewish liturgy absorbs אַל into everyday blessing (“Al tirah” songs), and Christian hymnody echoes the same prohibitions (“Fear not, I am with thee”). Sermons through the centuries draw moral exhortation from texts like Psalm 37:1 and Jeremiah 1:8, reinforcing reliance on God and separation from sin.

Theological Significance

1. Holiness: אַל demarcates the sacred, guarding Israel from idolatry and injustice.
2. Dependence: Repeated “do not fear” commands root courage in God’s character, not human prowess.
3. Grace: Prohibitions expose inability, driving the hearer to divine provision (Galatians 3:24 principle).
4. Christological Fulfillment: In the Gospels, Jesus mirrors the אַל pattern—“Do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27)—embodying both divine authority and pastoral care.

Pastoral and Ministry Application

• Fear and Anxiety: Preaching Isaiah 41:10 offers believers a direct antidote grounded in God’s covenant presence.
• Holiness Ethics: Texts like Proverbs 3:5 train discipleship groups to reject self-reliance.
• Intercession: Moses’ “Do not destroy Your people” (Deuteronomy 9:26, implied אַל) models priestly prayer.
• Counseling Repentance: Prophetic “do not return to sin” calls help shepherds confront habitual wrongdoing.

Eschatological Hope

Final salvation inherits the refrain: Zephaniah 3:16–17 promises, “Do not fear, O Zion... the LORD your God is among you.” Revelation translates the heart of אַל into New Testament assurance: “He will wipe away every tear... there will no longer be any death” (Revelation 21:4), making every prior prohibition a foretaste of perfect peace.

Summary

Wherever אַל appears, Scripture conveys an urgent, relational prohibition—guarding, guiding, and comforting the people of God. From patriarchal narratives to prophetic visions, its 725 occurrences weave a tapestry of divine holiness and tender mercy, culminating in the fearless obedience made possible through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

אֲל־ אֶל־ אַ֖ל אַ֗ל אַ֣ל אַ֤ל אַ֨ל־ אַֽל־ אַל־ אל אל־ וְֽאַל־ וְאֶל־ וְאַ֣ל וְאַֽל־ וְאַל־ ואל ואל־ לְ֝אַ֗ל לאל תָּחֹ֥ס תחס ’al ’al- ’ăl- ’el- al el lə’al lə·’al leAl tā·ḥōs taChos tāḥōs veal veel wə’al wə’al- wə’el- wə·’al wə·’al- wə·’el-Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts