English · KJV
H5948

עֲלִיל

ʻălîyl /al-eel'/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom עָלַל in the sense of completing
Meaningprobably a crucible (as working over the metal)
KJV usagefurnace.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ʻălîyl — 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 ʻălîyl, represented by H5948, refers to a furnace or crucible. It is derived from a root word suggesting completion, as a furnace works over metal until it is finished. This specific term appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The sole appearance of H5948 is in Psalms 12:6, where it serves as a powerful simile to describe the nature of God's Word. The verse states that the words H565 of the LORD H3068 are like "silver H3701 tried H6884 in a furnace of earth H776." The imagery is of a crucible used in metallurgy to remove impurities, establishing the absolute and tested purity of divine speech.

Related Words & Concepts

The concept of a refining furnace is enhanced by several related words used in its context:

  • H3701 keçeph (silver): This is the precious metal subjected to the refining process within the furnace H5948, symbolizing something of great value being made perfect Psalms 12:6.
  • H6884 tsâraph (to fuse (metal), i.e. refine): This verb describes the action that takes place within the furnace. It is used to speak of trying silver Psalms 12:6 and is also applied to God refining his people Zechariah 13:9.
  • H2212 zâqaq (to... purify, refine): This word further defines the result of the process, meaning to clarify or purge. In its only appearance alongside H5948, it confirms that the silver is "purified H2212 seven times" Psalms 12:6, denoting complete perfection.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H5948 is concentrated in its single, impactful appearance. It provides a foundational metaphor for understanding the character of God's Word.

  • Divine Infallibility: The image of the furnace guarantees that the words H565 of the LORD H3068 are entirely pure H2889 and free from error or dross. The process removes any doubt about their truthfulness and reliability Psalms 12:6.
  • Symbol of Perfect Purity: The process described—silver H3701 being tried H6884 and purified H2212 "seven times H7659"—signifies a state of absolute and complete perfection. The furnace is the instrument that proves this flawless quality.
  • Foundation of Trust: By using the furnace metaphor, the scripture provides a tangible reason to trust God's Word. Just as refined silver is valuable and reliable, so are the promises and commandments of the LORD H3068.

Summary

In summary, H5948 provides the concrete image of a furnace to convey a profound spiritual truth. Although it appears only once, its use in Psalms 12:6 indelibly links it to the doctrine of the perfection and purity of God's Word. It illustrates how a common metallurgical tool can become a symbol for the flawless, reliable, and divinely authenticated nature of God's promises to His people.

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 across 1 occurrence, inflected in 1 grammatical form — 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.

  • עֲלִיל

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.

H565 אִמְרָה or אֶמְרָה; feminine of אֵמֶר, and meaning the same; {something said}; commandment, speech, word. H3068 יְהֹוָה from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹו H3701 כֶּסֶף from כָּסַף; silver (from its pale color); by implication, money; money, price, silver(-ling). H6884 צָרַף a primitive root; to fuse (metal), i.e. refine (literally or figuratively); cast, (re-) fine(-er), founder, goldsmith, m H776 אֶרֶץ from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, e H2212 זָקַק a primitive root; to strain, (figuratively) extract, clarify; fine, pour down, purge, purify, refine.

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

1 verse, all in Psalms — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

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.