94 אָלָה (ʾālâ) II, to swear, make a solemn oath. (RSV is generally better in translation than ASV, i.e. “laid an oath on” preferable to “adjured,”
I Sam 14:24). The term is used in expressing solemn oaths between men and between God and man.
Derivatives
94a אָלָה (ʾālâ) an oath, solemn statement, promise, curse (for broken oath), occurring more frequently than the verb.
94b תַּאֲלָה (taʾălâ) curse (punishment for broken oath), only once,
Lam 3:65.
אָלָה (ʾālâ).
Oath. In its most basic form we see the noun used in the sense of a solemn promise between men (Gen 24:41; 26:28). For that reason it is also applied to solemn statements of testimony given in court (
Lev 5:1;
Prov 29:24) and before God (
Num 5:21ff.;
Jud 17:2; I Kgs 8:31;
I Sam 14:24;
Neh 10:29 [H 30]; Ezk 16:59; 17:13ff.).
From this we can see how it was used to express the very solemn covenant between God and his people (
Deut 29:12 [H 11]) and more particularly, the warnings of judgment attached to that covenant should the people prove to be faithless (
Deut 29:14–21 [H 13–20]). It is used in this latter sense also in
Isa 24:6;
Jer 23:10; 29:18; 42:18; 44:12 and
Dan 9:11.
Scott, J. B. (1999). 94 אָלָה. In R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer, Jr. & B. K. Waltke (Eds.), Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer, Jr. & B. K. Waltke, Ed.) (electronic ed.) (45). Chicago: Moody Press.