feminine from עָלָה; something lofty, i.e. a stair-way; also a second-story room (or even one on the roof); figuratively, the sky; ascent, (upper) chamber, going up, loft, parlour.
Transliteration:ʻălîyâh
Pronunciation:al-ee-yaw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word עֲלִיָּה (ʻălîyâh, `{{H5944}}`) is a feminine noun derived from the verb עָלָה (ʻālāh, `{{H5927}}`), meaning "to go up" or "to ascend." As such, its core meaning relates to anything that is "lofty" or involves "ascent." Its semantic range extends to several distinct but related concepts:
1. **Physical Ascent:** It can refer to a "stairway" or the act of "going up" (an ascent).
2. **Elevated Room:** Most commonly, it denotes an "upper room," "loft," or "chamber." This refers to a room on a second story of a building, or even a room constructed on a flat rooftop, providing privacy and often a cooler environment. This is the sense of "parlour" found in some translations.
3. **Figurative Celestial Space:** In a more poetic and figurative sense, ʻălîyâh can refer to the "sky" or "heavens," conceptualized as God's lofty dwelling place.
This range highlights the word's versatility, moving from the concrete architectural to the abstract and theological.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ʻălîyâh appears in various contexts throughout the Hebrew Bible, primarily referring to an upper room.
* **Private Dwellings and Miraculous Encounters:** Perhaps the most significant occurrences are found in narratives involving the prophets Elijah and Elisha. Elijah raises the widow's son in the ʻălîyâh where he was staying in Zarephath ([[1 Kings 17:19]], [[1 Kings 17:23]]). Similarly, the Shunammite woman prepares an ʻălîyâh for Elisha, where he later restores her son to life ([[2 Kings 4:10]], [[2 Kings 4:11]], [[2 Kings 4:21]], [[2 Kings 4:32]]). These instances underscore the ʻălîyâh as a private, elevated space often associated with prophetic ministry, divine intervention, and miraculous power.
* **Royal and Administrative Spaces:** The word also describes upper chambers within royal palaces or the Temple complex. Ehud meets King Eglon in his "summer parlour" or "upper room" ([[Judges 3:20]], [[Judges 3:23]], [[Judges 3:24]], [[Judges 3:25]]), a place of private audience. David gives Solomon the plans for the Temple's "upper chambers" ([[1 Chronicles 28:11]]), and these are mentioned again in the Temple's construction ([[2 Chronicles 3:9]]). Nehemiah mentions the "upper chamber of the corner" in the context of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls ([[Nehemiah 3:31]]). These references suggest ʻălîyâh could also denote functional, administrative, or storage spaces within larger, significant structures.
* **Figurative Divine Dwelling:** In a powerful poetic image, the prophet Amos declares of God, "it is He who builds His upper chambers in the heavens and lays the foundation of His vault upon the earth" ([[Amos 9:6]]). Here, ʻălîyâh transcends its physical architectural meaning to describe God's transcendent dwelling place, emphasizing His sovereignty, majesty, and cosmic reach. This usage elevates the concept from a mere room to the very expanse of the cosmos under divine control.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for ʻălîyâh is its root verb עָלָה (ʻālāh, `{{H5927}}`), "to go up" or "to ascend." This foundational verb informs the noun's meaning of an elevated space or an act of ascent.
Other related concepts and words include:
* **בַּיִת (bayit, `{{H1004}}`):** The general term for "house" or "dwelling," of which an ʻălîyâh is a specific part.
* **חֶדֶר (cheder, `{{H2315}}`):** Meaning "inner room" or "chamber," often implying privacy, similar to the function of an ʻălîyâh.
* **Ascension and Divine Presence:** The concept of "going up" is deeply intertwined with biblical theology, often signifying approach to God (e.g., ascending a mountain to meet God, or offerings "going up" to God). The ʻălîyâh, as an elevated space, naturally connects to this theme.
* **Privacy and Solitude:** The nature of an upper room often implies a degree of separation from the public, making it a suitable place for private thought, prayer, or significant personal encounters.
### Theological Significance
The word ʻălîyâh carries significant theological weight, moving beyond a mere architectural term to represent profound spiritual realities:
* **A Space for Divine Encounter and Miracle:** The consistent association of the ʻălîyâh with the miraculous acts of Elijah and Elisha highlights it as a place where the divine intersects with the human. These upper rooms become sacred spaces where life is restored, and God's power is manifest, underscoring that God can meet humanity even in the most private and seemingly ordinary settings.
* **Symbol of Transcendence and Sovereignty:** The figurative use of ʻălîyâh in [[Amos 9:6]] to describe God's "upper chambers in the heavens" is deeply significant. It portrays God as dwelling in a realm utterly beyond human reach and comprehension, emphasizing His transcendence, majesty, and absolute sovereignty over creation. This image reinforces the vast chasm between the Creator and creation, yet paradoxically, this same God chooses to interact intimately with humanity.
* **Privacy and Intimacy with God:** The upper room's inherent privacy makes it a fitting location for personal prayer, reflection, and intimate moments with God or His prophets. It suggests a space conducive to focused spiritual activity, away from the distractions of the world.
* **Preparation and Revelation:** Whether for the planning of the Temple or the quiet waiting for divine intervention, the ʻălîyâh often serves as a place where significant events are initiated or revealed.
### Summary
The Hebrew word ʻălîyâh (ʻălîyâh, `{{H5944}}`), derived from the root "to ascend," primarily denotes an "upper room" or "loft," but also encompasses "stairway" and, figuratively, the "heavens." Its biblical occurrences reveal it as a versatile term. Functionally, it describes private dwellings, administrative chambers within grand structures, and passages for ascent. Theologically, the ʻălîyâh emerges as a potent symbol: a privileged space for divine encounter and miraculous intervention, a setting for intimate personal moments with God's messengers, and, in its celestial usage, a powerful metaphor for God's transcendent dwelling, emphasizing His ultimate sovereignty and unapproachable majesty. Thus, ʻălîyâh moves from the mundane architectural to the profound theological, enriching our understanding of biblical narratives and divine attributes.
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