Original Word: אֵלֶּה
Part of Speech: pronoun plural masculine and feminine
Transliteration: el-leh
Pronunciation: EL-leh
Phonetic Spelling: (ale'-leh)
KJV: an-(the) other; one sort, so, some, such, them, these (same), they, this, those, thus, which, who(-m)
NASB: these, these things, those, this, such, some, who
Word Origin: [prolonged from H411 (אֵל - these)]

1. these or those

another; one sort, so, some, such, them, these same, they, this,

Prolonged from 'el; these or those -- an- (the) other; one sort, so, some, such, them, these (same), they, this, those, thus, which, who(-m).

see HEBREW 'el

Word Origin
a prim. pronoun
Definition
these
NASB Translation
former (1), one (1), one as the other (1), one the other (1), others (3), same (1), some (4), such (7), such things (1), these (627), these men (1), these same (1), these things (51), this (14), this manner (1), this* (1), those (15), who (4), whom (1).

אֵ֫לֶּה ( Rabb אֵלּוּ, Aramaic אִלֵּין, & compd. with and in , )

pronoun plural masculine & feminine these, in usage the plural of זֶה.

a. Genesis 2:4 & often: in apposition to a substantive with a pronominal suffix (always without the article) Exodus 9:14 (read with Hi. אֵלֶּה בְּךָ for אֶללִֿבְּךָ) Exodus 10:1 אֹתֹתַי אֵלֶּה these my signs, Exodus 11:8; Deuteronomy 11:18; 1 Kings 8:59; 1 Kings 10:8; 1 Kings 22:23; 2 Kings 1:13; Jeremiah 31:21; Ezra 2:65; Nehemiah 6:14; in the Genitive 2 Kings 6:20; Isaiah 47:9; Deuteronomy 18:12; Psalm 15:5; and after כל Genesis 14:3 + often Standing alone in a neuter sense, these things (rare in best prose, & not very common in poetry), with עָשָׂה Deuteronomy 18:12; Deuteronomy 22:5; Deuteronomy 25:16; 2 Samuel 23:17,22; Psalm 15:5 +; with other verbs Ezra 9:1; Isaiah 44:21; Isaiah 47:7; Jeremiah 13:22; Hosea 14:10; Psalm 42:5; Psalm 50:21; Psalm 107:43; Job 8:2; with אֶתֿ Numbers 15:13; Isaiah 48:14; with כָּלֿ Judges 13:23; Isaiah 66:2 +; see also some of the cases with prepositions below

d. אלה may point indifferently to what follows, Genesis 6:9; Genesis 10:1; Genesis 25:7,12,13; Psalm 42:5; or to what has preceded, Genesis 9:19; Genesis 10:20,31,32; Genesis 25:4; Leviticus 21:14; Leviticus 22:22; Psalm 15:5; = such as these (τοιαῦτα), Psalm 73:12; Job 18:21.

b. repeated, אלהו֗֗֗אלה, these . . . those Deuteronomy 27:13; Joshua 8:22; Isaiah 49:12 (3 t.) Psalm 20:8 +.

c. with the art. (but only after a substantive determined likewise by the article) הָאֵלֶּה Genesis 15:1 #NAME?**in Joshua 17:9 עָרִים הָאֵלֶּה, read הֶעָרִים, compare Joshua 17:12; Joshua 19:8; Joshua 19:16; Joshua 19:31; Joshua 19:48, etc.

d. with prepositions: בְּאֵלֶּה Leviticus 25:54; Leviticus 26:23; 1 Kings 22:11 (7 t.), בָּאֵלֶּה 1 Samuel 16:10; 1 Samuel 17:39; לְאֵלֶּה Leviticus 11:24 (4 t), לָאֵלֶּה 1 Kings 22:17 (5 t.); מֵאֵלֶּה Genesis 9:19 (16 t.); עַד אֵלֶּה Leviticus 26:18; עַלאֵֿלֶּה on account of these things Isaiah 57:6; Isaiah 64:11; Jeremiah 5:9 and elsewhere; כְּאֵלֶּה Job 16:2; Jeremiah 10:16 = Jeremiah 51:19, כָּאֵלֶּה Genesis 27:46; Leviticus 10:19 (things like these, so Isaiah 66:8; Jeremiah 18:13) Numbers 28:24 P (compare Ezekiel 45:25) 2 Kings 25:17 = Jeremiah 52:22, כְּמוֺאֵֿלֶּה Job 12:3.

Overview of Usage

The demonstrative אֵלֶּה functions as “these” or “these ones/things,” marking distinction, emphasis, and immediacy within a sentence. Its 746 appearances range across narrative, law, poetry, prophecy, and wisdom literature, consistently guiding the reader’s focus to particular people, words, deeds, or objects that bear theological or redemptive importance.

Demonstrative Function in Narrative

1. Genealogical Frames: Recurrent formulae such as “These are the generations of…” (Genesis 2:4; 6:9; 10:1; 11:10; 25:12) use אֵלֶּה to introduce pivotal lineage records, underscoring God’s sovereign guidance of history.
2. Covenant Signs: In Genesis 9:12 – “God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant…’” – the proximity pronoun points to the rainbow as a tangible reminder of divine promise.
3. Memorial Objects: Joshua uses אֵלֶּה when speaking of the twelve stones from the Jordan (Joshua 4:21), ensuring subsequent generations comprehend the miracle that opened the river.
4. Idolatrous Contrast: Aaron’s golden calf proclamation, “These, O Israel, are your gods” (Exodus 32:4), employs the word to highlight the tragic substitution of false worship for the living God.

Covenantal and Redemptive Moments Highlighted by “These”

• Sinai Revelation: “And God spoke all these words” (Exodus 20:1).
• Social Justice Statutes: “These are the ordinances you are to set before them” (Exodus 21:1).
• Blessing and Curse: Deuteronomy repeatedly groups covenant sanctions with אֵלֶּה—“All these blessings will come upon you” (28:2) and “All these curses will come upon you” (28:45)—reminding Israel that obedience and disobedience carry real consequences.
• Davidic Worship Reforms: In 1 Chronicles 23 – 27, priestly divisions and Levitical responsibilities are catalogued with repeated “these,” reflecting careful order in sacred service.

Liturgical and Prophetic Echoes

In Psalms, אֵלֶּה often contrasts righteous trust with worldly reliance: “These collapse and fall, but we rise and stand firm” (Psalm 20:8). Prophets employ the term to single out either promised glories or looming judgments (Isaiah 66:12; Ezekiel 14:21), keeping covenant realities before the people.

Theological Themes

1. Particularity of Revelation: By pointing to specific words and acts, אֵלֶּה affirms that divine truth is concrete, not abstract.
2. Memory and Transmission: Whether genealogies, laws, or stones, “these” items call each generation to remember and teach (Deuteronomy 6:20 – 25).
3. Separation and Holiness: When distinguishing Israel from the nations—“You shall not mimic these nations” (Leviticus 18:3)—the demonstrative marks moral boundaries rooted in God’s character.

Christological Foreshadowing

The precision of אֵלֶּה prepares readers to recognize fulfillment in Messiah. Genealogies that begin with “These are the generations” culminate in Matthew’s structured lineage of Jesus, while covenant signs and sacrificial regulations find completion in His person and work (Hebrews 10:1 – 10). The stones that testify, the words that shape, and the blessings that await all converge in Him who is the “Yes and Amen” of every promise (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Pastoral Application and Ministry Significance

• Preaching: Highlighting the demonstrative’s role can help congregations see Scripture’s specificity—God speaks about “these” real events, people, and commands.
• Discipleship: Encourage believers to set up their own “memorial stones,” marking answered prayer or milestones, echoing Joshua’s use of אֵלֶּה.
• Apologetics: The consistent, purposeful deployment of “these” across diverse genres underscores the unity and reliability of the biblical record.
• Worship Planning: Reading passages that open “These are the statutes…” in communion or covenant renewal services roots contemporary gatherings in God’s historic revelation.

Representative References

Genesis 2:4; 6:9; 10:1

Exodus 20:1; 21:1; 32:4

Leviticus 18:3

Deuteronomy 28:2, 45

Joshua 4:21

Judges 2:21

1 Samuel 17:26 (“What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel?”)

1 Kings 8:52

1 Chronicles 23:1 – 24:31

Psalm 20:8; 118:23

Isaiah 66:12

Jeremiah 33:2 – 3

Ezekiel 14:21

Zechariah 8:13

אֵ֑לֶּה אֵ֔לֶּה אֵ֕לֶּה אֵ֖לֶּה אֵ֗לֶּה אֵ֙לֶּה֙ אֵ֚לֶּה אֵ֛לֶּה אֵ֜לֶּה אֵ֠לֶּה אֵ֣לֶּ֣ה אֵ֣לֶּה אֵ֣לֶּה ׀ אֵ֤לֶּה אֵ֤לֶּה ׀ אֵ֥לֶּה אֵ֦לֶּה אֵ֧לֶּה אֵ֨לֶּה אֵ֭לֶּה אֵֽלֶּה׃ אֵלֶּה֩ אלה אלה׃ בְּאֵ֑לֶּה בְּאֵ֔לֶּה בְּאֵ֙לֶּה֙ בְּאֵ֛לֶּה בְאֵ֥לֶּה בָּאֵ֖לֶּה בָּאֵֽלֶּה׃ באלה באלה׃ הָ֠אֵלֶּה הָ֭אֵלֶּה הָאֵ֑לֶּה הָאֵ֔לֶּה הָאֵ֔לֶה הָאֵ֔לֶּה הָאֵ֖לֶּה הָאֵ֗לֶּה הָאֵ֙לֶּה֙ הָאֵ֛לֶּה הָאֵ֜לֶּה הָאֵ֡לֶּה הָאֵ֤לֶּה הָאֵ֧לֶּה הָאֵ֨לֶּה הָאֵֽלֶּה׃ הָאֵלֶּה֮ האלה האלה׃ וְ֠אֵלֶּה וְ֭אֵלֶּה וְאֵ֖לֶּה וְאֵ֗לֶּה וְאֵ֙לֶּה֙ וְאֵ֛לֶּה וְאֵ֣לֶּה וְאֵ֣לֶּה ׀ וְאֵ֤לֶּה וְאֵ֥לֶּה וְאֵ֨לֶּה וְאֵלֶּה֮ וְכָאֵ֛לֶּה וּ֠לְאֵ֜לֶּה וּבְאֵ֙לֶּה֙ וּלְאֵ֖לֶּה וּלְאֵ֙לֶּה֙ וּמֵאֵ֖לֶּה וּמֵאֵ֜לֶּה ואלה ובאלה וכאלה ולאלה ומאלה כְאֵ֜לֶּה כְאֵ֣לֶּה כָּאֵ֑לֶּה כָּאֵ֔לֶּה כָּאֵ֙לֶּה֙ כָּאֵ֜לֶּה כָאֵ֖לֶּה כאלה לְ֠אֵלֶּה לָאֵ֔לֶּה לָאֵ֗לֶּה לָאֵ֙לֶּה֙ לאלה מֵ֠אֵלֶּה מֵאֵ֑לֶּה מֵאֵ֖לֶּה מֵאֵ֗לֶּה מֵאֵֽלֶּה׃ מאלה מאלה׃ ’êl·leh ’êlleh bā’êlleh bā·’êl·leh baElleh bə’êlleh ḇə’êlleh bə·’êl·leh ḇə·’êl·leh beElleh chaElleh cheElleh Elleh hā’êleh hā’êlleh hā·’ê·leh hā·’êl·leh haEleh haElleh kā’êlleh ḵā’êlleh kā·’êl·leh ḵā·’êl·leh kaElleh ḵə’êlleh ḵə·’êl·leh lā’êlleh lā·’êl·leh laElleh lə’êlleh lə·’êl·leh Leelleh mê’êlleh mê·’êl·leh Meelleh ū·ḇə·’êl·leh ū·lə·’êl·leh ū·mê·’êl·leh ūḇə’êlleh ūlə’êlleh uleElleh ūmê’êlleh umeElleh uveElleh vechaElleh veElleh wə’êlleh wə·’êl·leh wə·ḵā·’êl·leh wəḵā’êllehInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts