Genesis 35:4
And they are giving toward Heel אֶת-the whole of the gods [elohe] of the Foreigner which are in their hands, and the Rings which are in their ears, and Heel is hiding אֶת-them under the Goddess [ha-Elah]1086 which is with Shoulder.
| 1086 | We know el אֵל means “god” and is a masculine noun. The feminine noun elah אִלָה however has been translated as the “terebinth tree” or “oak tree”. Elon אַלּוֹן is also the same noun and root but with the paragogic nun suffix which is generally used as a diminutive suffix for something that is a mini or small version of the thing, much like -let or -y in English. Elon has been called a “variation” of elah. The root is known to be the same: to be strong, lofty. Hence the oak tree is often used because it is strong and lofty. See Hebrew #424 and #437. |