### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **ʼeleph**, represented by `{{H505}}`, primarily means a **thousand**. It appears **505 times** across **391 unique verses**, indicating its significance as a numerical and symbolic term. Beyond its literal value, it is used to express vast quantities, military and administrative units, and the immense scale of God's power and blessing.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In its biblical usage, `{{H505}}` appears in several key contexts. It is used to quantify God's exponential blessings, such as when He restored Job's fortunes with fourteen **thousand** `{{H505}}` sheep and six **thousand** `{{H505}}` camels [[Job 42:12]]. It also serves as a foundational unit for social and military organization; leaders were appointed as rulers of **thousands** `{{H505}}`, hundreds, fifties, and tens [[Exodus 18:21]]. The word also illustrates God's power, where one man is promised to chase a **thousand** `{{H505}}` because the LORD fights for him [[Joshua 23:10]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide a broader context for understanding number and organization:
* `{{H504}}` **ʼeleph** (family, kine, oxen): This word, identical in its original Hebrew spelling, reveals a foundational meaning connected to a family or clan. Its use in [[Judges 6:15]], where Gideon states his **family** `{{H504}}``{{H505}}` is poor, directly links the concept of a societal unit to the numeral.
* `{{H7233}}` **rᵉbâbâh** (ten thousand): Often appearing alongside `{{H505}}`, this term for ten thousand amplifies the scale of God's power. One person can chase a thousand, but two can put **ten thousand** `{{H7233}}` to flight [[Deuteronomy 32:30]].
* `{{H8269}}` **sar** (ruler): This term is directly connected to `{{H505}}` in the context of administrative leadership, as seen in the instruction to place **rulers** `{{H8269}}` of thousands over the people [[Exodus 18:21]].
* `{{H3967}}` **mêʼâh** (a hundred): As a smaller numerical unit, `{{H3967}}` is used with `{{H505}}` to describe the tiered structure of governance among the people of Israel [[Exodus 18:21]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H505}}` is significant, often used to convey concepts of God's infinite nature and promises.
* **Generational Faithfulness:** The word is a key marker of God's enduring mercy. He is described as the faithful God who keeps his covenant and mercy to a **thousand** `{{H505}}` generations [[Deuteronomy 7:9]] and shows mercy unto **thousands** `{{H505}}` who love Him [[Exodus 20:6]].
* **Divine Power:** `{{H505}}` contrasts human limitations with God's limitless power. The angel of the LORD smote 185 **thousand** `{{H505}}` Assyrians in a single night [[2 Kings 19:35]], and a day in God's courts is better than a **thousand** `{{H505}}` elsewhere [[Psalms 84:10]].
* **Promise of Abundance:** The number symbolizes God's promise of exponential growth. A "little one" is promised to become a **thousand** `{{H505}}` [[Isaiah 60:22]], and Moses blesses the people that the LORD might make them a **thousand** `{{H505}}` times more numerous [[Deuteronomy 1:11]].
* **Ultimate Value:** The word is used to express the supreme worth of God's law, which is better than **thousands** `{{H505}}` of gold and silver [[Psalms 119:72]], and of God's chosen messenger, who is "one among a **thousand**" [[Job 33:23]].
### Summary
In summary, **ʼeleph** `{{H505}}` serves as more than a simple numeral. It is a biblical benchmark for immensity, used to measure God's boundless blessings, His eternal mercy across thousands of generations, and His overwhelming power. It defines societal structure and, ultimately, highlights the infinite value of God's law and presence when compared to any earthly quantity.
TRV