### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **ʼayeleth**, represented by `{{H365}}`, is defined as a **doe** or **hind**. Its base definition is the same as אַיָּלָה and includes the proper name Aijeleth. This term appears **3 times** across **3 unique verses**, making each occurrence distinct in its context, ranging from a psalm title to a metaphor for a wife.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In its biblical appearances, `{{H365}}` is used in several specific ways. In the title of Psalms 22, it is part of the phrase "Aijeleth Shahar" [[Psalms 22:1]]. In Proverbs, it serves as a tender metaphor, comparing a beloved wife to a "loving **hind**" [[Proverbs 5:19]], symbolizing grace and affection. In a prophetic context, Jeremiah uses the image of a literal **hind** in a field that has calved and then abandoned its young because of a drought, illustrating a state of extreme desperation [[Jeremiah 14:5]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Two related words provide additional context to the meaning of `{{H365}}`:
* `{{H3280}}` **yaʻălâh** (roe): This word for an ibex or roe appears directly alongside `{{H365}}` in [[Proverbs 5:19]], where a wife is described as a "loving hind and pleasant **roe**," creating a parallel image of a cherished and graceful spouse.
* `{{H5800}}` **ʻâzab** (to loosen... forsake... leave): This word thematically links two of the three occurrences of `{{H365}}`. The **hind** in the field **forsook** her young due to lack of grass [[Jeremiah 14:5]], while the psalm titled "Aijeleth Shahar" begins with the cry, "My God, my God, why hast thou **forsaken** me?" [[Psalms 22:1]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H365}}` is seen through its symbolic applications.
* **Marital Love:** The use of "hind" in [[Proverbs 5:19]] establishes a biblical ideal for marital affection, portraying the wife as a source of grace and delight.
* **Covenantal Desperation:** In Jeremiah, the **hind** forsaking her young—an unnatural act—serves as a powerful sign of judgment and the devastating consequences of turning from God [[Jeremiah 14:5]].
* **Lament and Suffering:** Its use in the title "Aijeleth Shahar" in Psalms 22 connects the term to one of scripture's most profound laments, expressing a deep sense of abandonment by God [[Psalms 22:1]]. The theme of being forsaken connects the suffering of nature with the suffering of the psalmist.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H365}}` is a highly specific term whose significance is amplified by its context. While it literally means a doe or hind, it functions as a rich symbol in Scripture. It represents the beauty of marital love, the desperation of a land under judgment, and is associated with the profound anguish of feeling forsaken by God, demonstrating how a simple nature-based word can convey deep theological truths.
TRV