English · KJV
H444

אָלַח

ʼâlach /aw-lakh'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto muddle, i.e. (figuratively and intransitive) to turn (morally) corrupt
KJV usagebecome filthy.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ʼâlach — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word ʼâlach, represented by H444, is a primitive root used to describe a state of moral corruption. Its base definition is to muddle, or figuratively, to turn corrupt and become filthy. It appears only 3 times in 3 unique verses, but each instance carries significant weight in describing the human condition.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, H444 consistently portrays a universal state of moral decay. The Psalms declare that all have "gone aside" and have "altogether become filthy" (Psalms 14:3, Psalms 53:3). This is not an isolated condition but a comprehensive turning away from what is right. The book of Job expands on this by framing the state of being filthy as a consequence of humanity's nature, describing man as one who "drinketh iniquity like water" Job 15:16. In this context, to be filthy is to be morally abominable.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help to define the context and meaning of H444:

  • H5493 çûwr: This word means to turn off (literal or figurative). It describes the action that leads to the state of being filthy, as seen when all have "gone aside" from the path of righteousness Psalms 14:3.
  • H8581 taʻâb: Meaning to loathe, i.e. (morally) detest, this word is used in parallel with H444 to describe man as "abominable and filthy" Job 15:16. This highlights that the corruption is not merely a stain but a condition that is morally detestable.
  • H2896 ṭôwb: This term for good serves as a direct contrast to the state described by H444. After declaring that all have become filthy, the psalmist concludes that "there is none that doeth good, no, not one" (Psalms 14:3, Psalms 53:3).

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H444 is significant in understanding the biblical view of sin.

  • Universal Corruption: The word is used to express a total and universal condition. Both Psalms 14 and 53 state that "all" or "every one" has become filthy, underscoring a pervasive state of human sinfulness.
  • Moral Filthiness: While the word implies being unclean, its context is exclusively moral and spiritual. It is used to characterize humanity's rebellion and moral perversion, a condition that makes a person "abominable" Job 15:16.
  • Apostasy and its Result: The term is linked to the action of turning away or going back (H5493, H5472). Becoming filthy is the direct outcome of forsaking God's way, leaving none who do good Psalms 53:3.

Summary

In summary, H444 provides a stark and powerful image of moral impurity. Though used infrequently, ʼâlach is a critical term for illustrating the biblical concept of humanity's fallen state. It moves beyond a simple description of uncleanness to define a profound, universal condition of moral corruption that results from turning away from God and embracing iniquity.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 3 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • נֶאֱלָחוּ
  • נֶאֱלָח

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H5493 סוּר or שׂוּר; (Hosea 9:12), a primitive root; to turn off (literal or figurative); be(-head), bring, call back, decline, dep H8581 תַּעָב a primitive root; to loathe, i.e. (morally) detest; (make to be) abhor(-red), (be, commit more, do) abominable(-y), [idi H2896 טוֹב from טוֹב; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, H5472 סוּג a primitive root; properly, to flinch, i.e. (by implication) to go back, literally (to retreat) or figuratively (to apos

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 3 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Psalms (2 verses); never once in the other 37.

1
Job
2
Psalms

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.