English · KJV
H5929

עָלֶה

ʻâleh /aw-leh'/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom עָלָה
Meaninga leaf (as coming up on a tree); collectively, foliage
KJV usagebranch, leaf.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ʻâleh — 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 ʻâleh, represented by H5929, is a term for leaf or foliage. It appears 18 times in 13 unique verses. Derived from the word for "to ascend" H5927, ʻâleh signifies that which comes up on a tree. It is used both literally for plant life and figuratively to represent concepts of prosperity, fragility, and the spiritual condition of humanity.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical texts, H5929 is used to illustrate spiritual truths. For the righteous, it is a symbol of enduring life and prosperity; they are like a tree whose leaf does not wither Psalms 1:3 and remains green even in a year of drought Jeremiah 17:8. In a prophetic vision of restoration, its leaf is for medicine Ezekiel 47:12. Conversely, it symbolizes human sinfulness and mortality, where "we all do fade as a leaf" Isaiah 64:6. It also represents the fragility of the fearful, who are chased by the sound of a shaken leaf Leviticus 26:36. Its first mention is in Genesis, where fig leaves were sewed together as aprons Genesis 3:7, and it later appears as a sign of hope when a dove returns with an olive leaf Genesis 8:11.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide deeper context for the meaning of leaf and foliage:

  • H6086 ʻêts (a tree): As the source of leaves, this word is almost always present alongside H5929. The state of the leaf reflects the health of the tree Psalms 1:3.
  • H6529 pᵉrîy (fruit): Often paired with leaf to represent the full vitality and productivity of a plant. A healthy tree brings forth both fruit and a vibrant leaf Ezekiel 47:12.
  • H5034 nâbêl (to wilt; generally, to fall away, fail, faint): This word is frequently used to describe the fate of the leaf in contexts of judgment or decay, such as when the leaf shall fade Jeremiah 8:13.
  • H7488 raʻănân (verdant; by analogy, new; figuratively, prosperous): This term describes the ideal state of a leaf, signifying life and health. A person blessed by God has a leaf that shall be green Jeremiah 17:8.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H5929 is expressed through its powerful symbolism.

  • Righteous Vitality: A fresh, unwithered leaf symbolizes a life connected to God's law and blessing. The righteous are promised to flourish like a branch Proverbs 11:28 and be like a tree whose leaf does not wither Psalms 1:3.
  • Human Frailty and Judgment: A fading or falling leaf represents human mortality, sin, and the consequences of disobedience. The unrighteous are described as an oak whose leaf fadeth Isaiah 1:30, and humanity's iniquities cause them to fade as a leaf Isaiah 64:6.
  • Provision and Healing: Leaves serve as a sign of divine provision and restoration. The olive leaf signaled the end of the flood's judgment Genesis 8:11, and in the future sanctuary, the leaf of the trees will be for medicine Ezekiel 47:12.

Summary

In summary, H5929 is more than just a word for a leaf. It serves as a potent biblical metaphor for the condition of one's life. Drawing its meaning from the idea of "ascending" H5927, the leaf represents life that is either vibrant and prosperous when connected to God, or fragile and fading when separated from Him. From the first aprons in Eden to the healing leaves of the new sanctuary, ʻâleh vividly illustrates the spiritual state of humanity.

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 noun and a preposition across 19 occurrences, inflected in 4 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.

  • עָלֵ
  • עָלֶה
  • עֲלֵי
  • עֲלֵי

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.

H5927 עָלָה a primitive root; to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary an H6086 עֵץ from עָצָה; a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks); [phrase] carpenter, gallows, helve, [phrase] pine, H6529 פְּרִי from פָּרָה; fruit (literally or figuratively); bough, (first-)fruit(-ful), reward. H5034 נָבֵל a primitive root; to wilt; generally, to fall away, fail, faint; figuratively, to be foolish or (morally) wicked; causat H7488 רַעֲנָן from an unused root meaning to be green; verdant; by analogy, new; figuratively, prosperous; green, flourishing.

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 13 verses across 9 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Isaiah (3 verses); never once in the other 30.

2
Genesis
1
Leviticus
1
Nehemiah
1
Job
1
Psalms
1
Proverbs
3
Isaiah
2
Jeremiah
1
Ezekiel

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.