### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word ʻĕlîy (`{{H5940}}`) denotes a "pestle," a tool used for pounding or grinding substances, typically within a mortar. Its etymology is crucial to understanding its core meaning; it is derived from the verbal root ʻālāh (`{{H5927}}`), which fundamentally means "to go up," "to ascend," or "to lift up." This etymological link directly informs the nature of the pestle, as it is an instrument that is repeatedly *lifted up* and then brought down with force. The semantic range of ʻĕlîy is quite narrow, referring specifically to this implement and the dynamic action associated with its use in pulverizing or crushing.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word ʻĕlîy (`{{H5940}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, found in the book of Proverbs:
* [[Proverbs 27:22]]: "Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, yet his folly will not depart from him."
In this solitary occurrence, ʻĕlîy is part of a powerful and graphic proverb. The imagery presents an extreme scenario: attempting to eradicate folly from a fool by subjecting them to the most intense and exhaustive grinding process imaginable, as if they were grain in a mortar. The pestle here represents a tool of persistent, forceful, and repetitive action, designed to break down and transform. The context highlights the deep-seated and unyielding nature of folly within a person who is truly foolish. The proverb underscores the futility of external, even violent, means in attempting to alter an inherent character flaw or spiritual disposition that resists wisdom and correction.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **ʻālāh (`{{H5927}}`):** The root verb from which ʻĕlîy (`{{H5940}}`) is derived. This pervasive root signifies "to ascend," "to go up," or "to lift." Its connection to ʻĕlîy is the essential *lifting* motion involved in the operation of a pestle. This root is also foundational to words like ʻōlāh (burnt offering), which "ascends" in smoke to God.
* **makhtēsh (`{{H4388}}`):** This Hebrew word refers to the "mortar," the vessel in which the grinding takes place. The mortar is the necessary counterpart to the pestle, representing the receptive and containing element in the grinding process. The two tools are intrinsically linked in their function.
* **Grinding/Pounding:** The action performed by the pestle and mortar is one of reduction, pulverization, and transformation. Biblically, this action can symbolize intense labor, suffering, punishment, or the breaking down of resistance.
* **Folly (ʾiwwellet, `{{H200}}` / kesîl, `{{H3684}}`):** The central theme of the proverb in [[Proverbs 27:22]]. The pestle serves as a stark illustration of the intractable nature of human foolishness, which is often presented in Proverbs as a moral and spiritual deficiency.
### Theological Significance
While ʻĕlîy (`{{H5940}}`) names a simple domestic tool, its singular appearance in the biblical text carries profound theological implications, particularly within the wisdom tradition:
* **The Intractability of the Human Heart:** The proverb in [[Proverbs 27:22]] powerfully conveys the deep-seated nature of human folly and, by extension, sin. It suggests that certain spiritual conditions are so ingrained that no amount of external pressure, punishment, or even extreme corrective measures can fundamentally alter the heart's disposition. This resonates with the biblical understanding of human depravity as an internal, pervasive condition rather than merely a behavioral issue.
* **Limits of Human Effort in Transformation:** The image of the pestle highlights the futility of human attempts to bring about radical inner change in another person, particularly one resistant to wisdom. It underscores that true transformation, especially of the heart and mind, is ultimately beyond human capability. This implicitly points to the necessity of divine intervention and the work of God's Spirit for genuine repentance and the acquisition of wisdom.
* **Divine Prerogative in Spiritual Renewal:** By demonstrating the inadequacy of even the most forceful human methods, the proverb subtly emphasizes that true spiritual renewal is a work of God. It reinforces the biblical truth that a new heart and a new spirit are gifts from the Lord, not products of human coercion or external pressure.
### Summary
The Hebrew word ʻĕlîy (`{{H5940}}`), meaning "pestle," derives from the root ʻālāh (`{{H5927}}`, "to lift up"), reflecting the inherent motion of the tool. Its sole biblical occurrence in [[Proverbs 27:22]] provides a vivid and memorable metaphor. In this proverb, the ʻĕlîy symbolizes an intense, persistent, and forceful effort, illustrating that even such extreme measures cannot eradicate deep-seated folly from a resistant individual. The theological significance of ʻĕlîy thus lies in its portrayal of the stubbornness of the human heart and the limits of human effort in achieving true spiritual transformation. It implicitly highlights the profound need for divine grace and intervention to effect genuine inner change, underscoring that certain aspects of human depravity are beyond the reach of mere external correction.
TRV