Original Word: עַל
Part of Speech: Preposition
Transliteration: `al
Pronunciation: ahl
Phonetic Spelling: (al)
KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, X with
NASB: over, against, concerning, because, beside, above, according
Word Origin: [(properly) the same as H5920 (עַל - high) used as a preposition (in the singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a particle following)]

1. above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications (as follow)

above, according to, after, as against, among, and, as, at,

Properly, the same as al used as a preposition (in the singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications (as follow) -- above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, X with.

see HEBREW al

Word Origin
from alah
Definition
upon, above, over
NASB Translation
about (27), about* (1), above (43), above* (16), accordance (2), accordance* (1), according (40), according* (2), account (11), account* (2), across* (1), addition (4), addition* (1), afflicted (1), after (14), after* (1), against (536), against* (1), along (11), alongside* (1), although (1), among (7), around (11), attention* (1), because (82), because* (49), before (10), before* (19), behalf (18), behind* (2), beside (47), beside* (6), besides (5), besiege* (1), besieged* (13), besieging (1), besieging* (5), better than (1), between (1), beyond (3), beyond* (1), bordered* (1), care (1), carried (1), charge (31), charge* (1), command (1), committed (1), concerning (97), concerning* (5), confront (1), confront* (1), connection (1), conquer* (1), consider* (3), considered* (2), contrary (1), corresponding (2), corresponding* (1), crowns (1), defiance* (1), despite (1), due (1), duty (1), east* (7), encouragingly* (2), engaged (1), even (1), everywhere* (1), faces* (1), facing* (1), far (2), forsaking* (1), full* (1), fully* (1), have charge (1), inasmuch* (5), instead* (1), leave* (1), length* (1), more than (2), much (1), named* (1), near (4), next (9), next* (13), now* (1), obliging* (1), off (6), off* (5), opposed (1), opposite (1), opposite* (4), ornamented* (1), over (538), over* (6), overflowing* (1), overflows* (1), overlooks* (3), part (1), planned* (1), pleased* (1), pleases* (2), presence (2), pressed* (1), prompts* (1), reason (2), reason* (6), received (1), regard (3), regarding (1), respect (1), responsibility (1), ruthlessly* (1), sake (4), sake* (1), sakes (2), settled* (1), since* (1), so (1), so* (2), sorrow (1), spite (2), steward* (4), surround* (1), sworn* (1), task (1), than (1), than were over (1), theirs* (1), therefore* (139), thereon (1), through (3), throughout (3), together (3), too (3), top (1), top* (2), toward (20), toward* (5), under (12), until (1), upright* (2), upside* (1), urged* (1), view (1), way (1), when (1), where (1), where* (5), wherever* (2), while (1), why* (10), within (13), within* (1), wore (1).

Scope and Dominant Themes

The preposition עַל appears about 5,778 times, colouring virtually every book, genre, and theological motif in the Old Testament. Its wide semantic field covers spatial position (“upon,” “above,” “over”), jurisdiction (“in charge of,” “ruling over”), substitution and atonement (“for,” “in place of”), causation (“because of”), and mental or emotional focus (“concerning,” “regarding”). These strands converge to proclaim the majesty of God, the seriousness of sin, and the covenantal bond between the Lord and His people.

Spatial Elevation and Divine Majesty

• Creation: “The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the universe.
• Flood: “The waters rose greatly upon the earth, and all the high mountains under the whole sky were covered” (Genesis 7:19). Judgment comes from above.
• Enthronement: “The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever” (Psalm 29:10). עַל underscores His transcendence yet immanence—He rules while remaining present.

Authority, Headship, and Government

• Patriarchal and royal authority: “Saul reigned over Israel, and he fought against all his enemies on every side” (1 Samuel 14:47).
• Administrative delegation: Joseph is set “over all the land of Egypt” (Genesis 41:41), illustrating God’s providential placement of leaders.
• Prophetic commission: “The hand of the LORD was upon me there” (Ezekiel 3:22), indicating the compelling authority of divine revelation.

Substitution and Atonement

עַל frequently links a sacrificial victim with the sinner whose guilt it bears.
• Burnt offering: “He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him” (Leviticus 1:4).
• Day of Atonement: “He shall make atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the Israelites” (Leviticus 16:16). These verses prefigure Christ’s substitutionary atonement, where sin is placed “on” the Lamb of God (cf. Isaiah 53:6).

Causation, Consequence, and Accountability

עַל also carries the sense of “because of,” highlighting moral accountability.
• Covenant blessings and curses: “All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God” (Deuteronomy 28:2).
• Prophetic indictment: “Judgment will come upon Moab because he rebelled against Me” (Jeremiah 48:42). Actions invite corresponding divine response.

Concern, Intercession, and Compassion

When used of prayer or speech, עַל expresses loving concern.
• Intercession: Abraham pleads “for” Sodom (Genesis 18:23).
• Pastoral care: “Samuel cried out to the LORD for Israel, and the LORD answered him” (1 Samuel 7:9).

Messianic Expectation

• Spirit empowerment: “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me” (Isaiah 61:1). The preposition marks the resting of divine power on the Messiah, later fulfilled at Jesus’ baptism when the Spirit descends “upon” Him (Luke 3:22, Greek ἐπί).
• Davidic promise: “I will set His hand over the sea, and His right hand over the rivers” (Psalm 89:25), pointing to universal reign.

Worship and Devotion

• Psalms repeatedly call worshippers to lift praise “upon the harp” (Psalm 33:2) and to meditate “upon Your statutes” (Psalm 119:48). The word thus fuels both corporate worship and private devotion.

Historical and Cultural Texture

Treaty formulas in the Ancient Near East often affirmed a suzerain’s authority “over” a vassal, a backdrop against which Israel’s covenant with YHWH resonates. Likewise, temple architecture (lampstands “upon” branches, bread “upon” the table) shows that ritual space is organized under this preposition.

Ministry Implications

1. Preaching: Emphasize God’s rule over creation and history.
2. Counseling: Highlight substitutionary themes—Christ bore sin “on” the cross.
3. Leadership: Model stewardship under God’s authority, serving “over” but not apart from the flock (cf. Ezekiel 34:2-4).
4. Intercession: Pray “for” others with persistent concern, following biblical precedents marked by עַל.

Statistical Reflection

The sheer frequency of עַל saturates Scripture with reminders of God’s nearness and supremacy. Whether positioning Noah’s ark “upon” Ararat or resting His glory “upon” the mercy seat, the Lord continuously reveals Himself as the One who presides, provides, and propitiates.

Connection to the New Testament

Greek ἐπί inherits much of the theological load—Jesus’ authority “over” wind and waves (Matthew 8:26), the Spirit “upon” the disciples at Pentecost (Acts 1:8), and the chastisement laid “upon” Him (1 Peter 2:24). The Old Testament resonance of עַל deepens New Testament fulfillment.

Concluding Meditation

Every occurrence of עַל—ordinary or exalted—draws the reader to contemplate the living God who is high “over” yet graciously acts “for” His people. From Genesis through Malachi, the preposition forms a quiet but pervasive testimony: the Lord reigns, intervenes, and cares, and His Word stands firm upon all generations.

אֶל־ אַל־ אָ֑רֶץ אל־ ארץ הַ֤עַל הַ֥עַל הַֽעַל־ הַעַ֥ל הַעַ֨ל הַעַל־ העל העל־ וְ֝עָלֵ֗ימוֹ וְ֝עָלֶ֗יהָ וְ֝עָלָ֗יו וְֽעַל־ וְאֵלָ֕יו וְהֶעָלֶ֜יהָ וְעַ֕ל וְעַ֖ל וְעַ֗ל וְעַ֛ל וְעַ֞ל וְעַ֣ל וְעַ֣ל ׀ וְעַ֤ל וְעַ֤ל־ וְעַ֥ל וְעַ֧ל וְעַ֨ל וְעַ֨ל־ וְעַֽל־ וְעַל֙ וְעַל֩ וְעַל־ וְעָלֶ֙יהָ֙ וְעָלַ֖י וְעָלַ֗י וְעָלַ֙יִךְ֙ וְעָלַ֞י וְעָלַ֣י וְעָלָ֖יו וְעָלָ֞יו וְעָלָ֥יו וַֽ֝עֲלֵיהֶ֗ם וַעֲלֵי־ וַעֲלֵיהֶ֖ם וַעֲלֵיהֶ֗ם וַעֲלֵיהֶ֣ם וַעֲלֵיהֶ֣ם ׀ וַעֲלֵיהֶ֤ם וַעֲלֵיהֶ֨ם וַעֲלֵיהֶם֩ וּ֝מֵעָלָ֗יו וּמֵעַ֖ל וּמֵעַ֣ל וּמֵעַ֥ל ואליו והעליה ומעל ומעליו ועל ועל־ ועלי ועלי־ ועליה ועליהם ועליו ועליך ועלימו כְּעַ֕ל כְּעַ֗ל כְּעַ֣ל כְּעַ֤ל כֵּ֥ן כן כעל מֵ֝עָלָ֗יו מֵ֠עַל מֵֽ֭עָלַי מֵֽעֲלֵיהֶ֑ם מֵֽעֲלֵיהֶ֔ם מֵֽעֲלֵיהֶ֖ם מֵֽעֲלֵיהֶם֙ מֵֽעֲלֵיכֶ֑ם מֵֽעֲלֵיכֶ֔ם מֵֽעַל־ מֵֽעָלֵ֑ינוּ מֵֽעָלֶ֔יהָ מֵֽעָלֶ֔יךָ מֵֽעָלֶ֗יהָ מֵֽעָלַ֔י מֵֽעָלַ֗י מֵֽעָלַי֙ מֵֽעָלָ֑יִךְ מֵֽעָלָ֑יו מֵֽעָלָ֔יו מֵֽעָלָיו֙ מֵעֲלֵ֖י מֵעֲלֵיהֶ֖ם מֵעֲלֵיהֶ֛ם מֵעֲלֵיהֶ֣ם מֵעֲלֵיהֶ֤ם מֵעֲלֵיכֶ֑ם מֵעֲלֵיכֶ֔ם מֵעֲלֵיכֶ֗ם מֵעֲלֵיכֶֽם׃ מֵעַ֕ל מֵעַ֖ל מֵעַ֗ל מֵעַ֛ל מֵעַ֣ל מֵעַ֣ל ׀ מֵעַ֤ל מֵעַ֥ל מֵעַ֧ל מֵעַ֨ל מֵעַ֬ל מֵעַל֙ מֵעַל֩ מֵעָ֔ל מֵעָֽל׃ מֵעָלֵ֑ינוּ מֵעָלֵ֖ינוּ מֵעָלֵֽינוּ׃ מֵעָלֶ֑יהָ מֵעָלֶ֔יךָ מֵעָלֶ֖יךָ מֵעָלֶ֗יהָ מֵעָלֶ֙יךָ֙ מֵעָלֶ֣יהָ מֵעָלֶֽיךָ׃ מֵעָלַ֕י מֵעָלַ֖י מֵעָלַ֗י מֵעָלַ֣י מֵעָלָ֑י מֵעָלָ֑יו מֵעָלָ֖יו מֵעָלָ֗יו מֵעָלָ֣יו מֵעָלָֽיִךְ׃ מֵעָלָֽי׃ מֵעָלָֽיו׃ מעל מעל־ מעל׃ מעלי מעלי׃ מעליה מעליהם מעליו מעליו׃ מעליך מעליך׃ מעליכם מעליכם׃ מעלינו מעלינו׃ עֲ֝לֵיכֶ֗ם עֲ֠לֵיהֶם עֲ֠לֵיכֶם עֲ֭לֵיהֶם עֲ‍ֽלֵי־ עֲלֵ֖י עֲלֵ֣י עֲלֵ֤י ׀ עֲלֵ֫י עֲלֵֽי־ עֲלֵהֶ֔ם עֲלֵהֶ֔ן עֲלֵהֶ֖ם עֲלֵהֶ֗ם עֲלֵהֶ֛ם עֲלֵהֶם֙ עֲלֵי־ עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם עֲלֵיהֶ֑ן עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם עֲלֵיהֶ֔ן עֲלֵיהֶ֕ם עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם עֲלֵיהֶ֖ן עֲלֵיהֶ֗ם עֲלֵיהֶ֗ן עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם עֲלֵיהֶ֜ם עֲלֵיהֶ֣ם עֲלֵיהֶ֤ם עֲלֵיהֶ֥ם עֲלֵיהֶ֥ן עֲלֵיהֶ֧ם ׀ עֲלֵיהֶ֨ם ׀ עֲלֵיהֶ֨ן עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃ עֲלֵיהֶֽן׃ עֲלֵיהֶם֒ עֲלֵיהֶם֙ עֲלֵיהֶם֩ עֲלֵיהֶם֮ עֲלֵיכֶ֑ם עֲלֵיכֶ֔ם עֲלֵיכֶ֔ן עֲלֵיכֶ֖ם עֲלֵיכֶ֗ם עֲלֵיכֶ֛ם עֲלֵיכֶ֜ם עֲלֵיכֶ֣ם עֲלֵיכֶ֤ם עֲלֵיכֶ֥ם עֲלֵיכֶ֨ם עֲלֵיכֶֽם׃ עֲלֵיכֶם֒ עֲלֵיכֶם֙ עֲלֵכֶ֑ם עֲלַֽהּ׃ עֲלָ֑ךְ עֲלָ֔ךְ עֲלָ֤ךְ עֲלָ֨ךְ עֳלֶ֖יהָ עַ֖ל עַ֗ל עַ֚ל עַ֛ל עַ֝֗ל עַ֞ל עַ֠ל עַ֡ל עַ֣ל עַ֣ל ׀ עַ֤ל עַ֥ל עַ֧ל עַ֨ל עַ֭ל עַֽל־ עַל עַל֩ עַל֮ עַל־ עָ֝לֵ֗ימוֹ עָ֝לֶ֗יךָ עָ֝לַ֗י עָ֝לָ֗יו עָ֠לַי עָ֠לָיו עָ֫לֵ֥ינוּ עָ֫לָ֥י עָ֭לֵינוּ עָ֭לֶיהָ עָ֭לֶיךָ עָ֭לַי עָ֭לָיו עָלֵ֑ימוֹ עָלֵ֑ינוּ עָלֵ֔ינוּ עָלֵ֖ימוֹ עָלֵ֖ינוּ עָלֵ֗ימוֹ עָלֵ֗ינוּ עָלֵ֙ינוּ֙ עָלֵ֛ינוּ עָלֵ֜ינוּ עָלֵ֣ימוֹ עָלֵ֣ינוּ עָלֵ֥ינוּ עָלֵ֨ינוּ ׀ עָלֵֽינוּ׃ עָלֵינוּ֩ עָלֶ֑יהָ עָלֶ֑יךָ עָלֶ֔יהָ עָלֶ֔יךָ עָלֶ֖יהָ עָלֶ֖יךָ עָלֶ֗יהָ עָלֶ֗יךָ עָלֶ֙יהָ֙ עָלֶ֙יךָ֙ עָלֶ֛יהָ עָלֶ֛יךָ עָלֶ֜יהָ עָלֶ֜יךָ עָלֶ֡יהָ עָלֶ֣יהָ עָלֶ֣יךָ עָלֶ֤יהָ עָלֶ֤יךָ עָלֶ֤יךָ ׀ עָלֶ֥יהָ עָלֶ֥יךָ עָלֶ֧יהָ עָלֶ֨יהָ עָלֶ֨יךָ עָלֶֽיהָ׃ עָלֶֽיךָ׃ עָלֶיהָ֮ עָלֶיךָ֒ עָלַ֑י עָלַ֓י ׀ עָלַ֔י עָלַ֔יִךְ עָלַ֖י עָלַ֖יִךְ עָלַ֗י עָלַ֙יִךְ֙ עָלַ֛י עָלַ֛יִךְ עָלַ֜יִךְ עָלַ֞י עָלַ֡יִךְ עָלַ֣י עָלַ֣יִךְ עָלַ֣י ׀ עָלַ֤י עָלַ֤יִךְ עָלַ֥י עָלַ֥יִךְ עָלַ֧יִךְ עָלַ֨י עָלַ֨י ׀ עָלַי֒ עָלַי֙ עָלַי֮ עָלָ֑י עָלָ֑יִךְ עָלָ֑יו עָלָ֔י עָלָ֔יו עָלָ֖יו עָלָ֗יו עָלָ֛יו עָלָ֜יו עָלָ֣יו עָלָ֤יו עָלָ֥יו עָלָ֥יו ׀ עָלָ֧יו עָלָ֨יו עָלָ֨יו ׀ עָלָֽיְכִי׃ עָלָֽיִךְ׃ עָלָֽי׃ עָלָֽיו׃ עָלָיו֒ עָלָיו֙ עָלָיו֩ עָלָיו֮ על על־ עלה׃ עלהם עלהן עלי עלי־ עלי׃ עליה עליה׃ עליהם עליהם׃ עליהן עליהן׃ עליו עליו׃ עליך עליך׃ עליכי׃ עליכם עליכם׃ עליכן עלימו עלינו עלינו׃ עלך עלכם שֶׁעַל֙ שֶׁעַל־ שָׁא֛וּל שאול שעל שעל־ ‘ā·lā·yə·ḵî ‘ā·la·yiḵ ‘ā·lā·yiḵ ‘ă·lah ‘ă·lāḵ ‘ā·lāw ‘ā·lay ‘ā·lāy ‘ă·lê ‘ă·lê- ‘ā·le·hā ‘ă·lê·hem ‘ă·lê·hen ‘ā·le·ḵā ‘ă·lê·ḵem ‘ă·lê·ḵen ‘ā·lê·mōw ‘ā·lê·nū ‘al ‘al- ‘ălah ‘ălāḵ ‘ālāw ‘ālay ‘ālāy ‘ālāyəḵî ‘ālayiḵ ‘ālāyiḵ ‘ălê ‘ălê- ‘ālehā ‘ălêhem ‘ălêhen ‘āleḵā ‘ălêḵem ‘ălêḵen ‘ālêmōw ‘ālênū ‘o·le·hā ‘olehā ’ā·reṣ ’al- ’āreṣ ’el- al aLach aLah aLai aLav aLayechi aLayich aleChem aleHem aleHen alei aleiCha aleiChem aleiChen aLeiha aleiHem aleiHen aLeimov aLeinu aloShi aloSho Aretz el ha‘al ha‘al- ha·‘al ha·‘al- haAl kə‘al kə·‘al keAl ken kên mê‘al mê‘āl mê‘al- mê‘ālāw mê‘ālay mê‘ālāy mê‘ālāyiḵ mê‘ălê mê‘ālehā mê‘ălêhem mê‘āleḵā mê‘ălêḵem mê‘ālênū mê·‘ā·lā·yiḵ mê·‘ā·lāw mê·‘ā·lay mê·‘ā·lāy mê·‘ă·lê mê·‘ā·le·hā mê·‘ă·lê·hem mê·‘ā·le·ḵā mê·‘ă·lê·ḵem mê·‘ā·lê·nū mê·‘al mê·‘āl mê·‘al- meAl meaLai meaLav meaLayich meaLei meaLeicha mealeiChem meaLeiha mealeiHem meaLeinu oLeiha šā’ūl šā·’ūl še‘al še‘al- še·‘al še·‘al- shaUl sheal ū·mê·‘ā·lāw ū·mê·‘al ūmê‘al ūmê‘ālāw umeAl umeaLav vaalei vaaleiHem veAl veaLai veaLav veaLayich veaLeiha veaLeimov vealS veeLav veheaLeiha wa‘ălê- wa‘ălêhem wa·‘ă·lê- wa·‘ă·lê·hem wə‘al wə‘al- wə‘ālāw wə‘ālay wə‘ālayiḵ wə‘ālehā wə‘ālêmōw wə’êlāw wə·‘ā·la·yiḵ wə·‘ā·lāw wə·‘ā·lay wə·‘ā·le·hā wə·‘ā·lê·mōw wə·‘al wə·‘al- wə·’ê·lāw wə·he·‘ā·le·hā wəhe‘ālehāInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts