עָלַע

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word ʻâlaʻ, represented by H5966, is a primitive root that means to sip up or suck up. Its use in the Bible is extremely specific, as it appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse. This rarity ties its meaning exclusively to the single context in which it is found, providing a vivid and focused image.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The sole biblical appearance of H5966 is in the book of Job, during God's speech about the majesty and wildness of His creation. The word is used to describe the feeding habits of a great bird's offspring. In this context, the verse states, "Her young ones also suck up blood" Job 39:30. This stark depiction is part of a larger portrait of an untamed natural world that operates under God's sovereign hand, beyond human comprehension or control.

Related Words & Concepts

The words used alongside H5966 in its only verse provide a complete picture of the scene:

• H667 ʼephrôach (the brood of a bird; young (one)): This identifies the subjects performing the action, specified as "her young ones" in the passage Job 39:30.
• H1818 dâm (blood): This specifies the substance being consumed. It is blood that the young birds are vividly described as sucking up Job 39:30.
• H2491 châlâl (pierced... slain (man)...): This word points to the source of the sustenance, completing the stark image by noting, "and where the slain are, there is she" Job 39:30.

Theological Significance

While not a major theological term, the use of H5966 carries significance within its specific context in the book of Job.

• Sovereignty over Nature: The visceral image of young birds sucking up blood is part of God's response to Job, demonstrating His authority over a natural world that is raw, untamed, and operates by its own fierce logic Job 39:30.
• Divine Provision: The act, while grim, illustrates how God provides for all of His creatures according to their nature. It shows a cycle of life and death that, from a divine perspective, is part of a functioning and sustained creation.
• The Reality of a Fallen World: The scene powerfully depicts the consequences of a world where death is present. The feeding on the blood H1818 of the slain H2491 is an unsanitized portrait of survival, a theme central to Job's experience.

Summary

In summary, ʻâlaʻ H5966 is a highly specialized verb whose meaning is entirely defined by its single use in Job 39:30. It does not carry broad doctrinal weight but serves a crucial literary and rhetorical purpose. By painting a raw picture of nature, the word contributes to God's larger argument to Job, illustrating a world of fierce beauty and harsh realities that are all encompassed within the scope of divine sovereignty.