### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **ʼĔlûwl**, represented by `{{H435}}`, is the name for **Elul**, the sixth Jewish month. It is described as probably being of foreign derivation. The term appears only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the entire biblical text, marking a very specific historical moment.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The single biblical occurrence of `{{H435}}` is found in the book of Nehemiah. It precisely dates the completion of a monumental undertaking: the rebuilding of Jerusalem's protective barrier. The scripture states that the **wall** was **finished** on the twenty-fifth day of the month **Elul**, an event that was accomplished in just fifty-two days [[Nehemiah 6:15]]. This context positions **ʼĔlûwl** not just as a name on a calendar, but as the time stamp for a significant moment of national restoration and security.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words from its only context help illuminate the importance of this event:
* `{{H7999}}` **shâlam** (finished): This root word means to be completed or to finish. It signifies the successful conclusion of the wall-building project, an act of fulfillment and restoration.
* `{{H2346}}` **chôwmâh** (wall): Defined as a wall of protection, this is the physical structure whose completion is marked by the month of **Elul**. It represents safety and the re-establishment of Jerusalem's integrity.
* `{{H3117}}` **yôwm** (day): Meaning a day or a space of time, this word is used to specify both the exact date within the month of **Elul** and the total duration of the construction project [[Nehemiah 6:15]].
### Theological Significance
While `{{H435}}` itself is rare, its contextual significance is deep, pointing to several key themes:
* **A Time of Completion:** The month marks the moment the wall was **finished** `{{H7999}}`. This action is theologically significant, as God is the one who performs the counsel of his messengers [[Isaiah 44:26]] and brings the days of mourning to an end [[Isaiah 60:20]]. The completion of the work in **Elul** thus points to a divinely-aided restoration.
* **The Mark of Divine Protection:** The object completed is a **wall** `{{H2346}}`, a term often used to symbolize God's own safeguarding presence. The LORD promises to be a "wall of fire" for his people [[Zechariah 2:5]], connecting the physical structure finished in **Elul** to the spiritual reality of divine protection.
* **Fulfillment in History:** The specific mention of the month of **Elul** anchors the completion of the wall as a concrete, historical event. It demonstrates God's faithfulness being worked out in a measurable timeframe of fifty-two **days** `{{H3117}}`, showing His work is not abstract but is realized in human history [[Nehemiah 6:15]].
### Summary
In summary, **ʼĔlûwl** `{{H435}}` serves as more than a simple chronological marker. Although it appears just once, its context in Nehemiah ties it directly to the pivotal event of the completion of Jerusalem's wall. It signifies a moment of fulfillment, restoration, and the realization of God's protective care for His people, demonstrating how a single, specific date can carry immense historical and theological weight.
TRV