אֶלֶף
Elef
Thousand, clan, vast number
Elef (אֶלֶף) is a Hebrew word meaning “thousand, clan, vast number,” pronounced “EH-lef.” Derived from the root א-ל-ף, elef appears 490 times in the Hebrew Bible (Strong's H505).
| Hebrew | אֶלֶף |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Elef |
| Pronunciation | EH-lef |
| Meaning | Thousand, clan, vast number |
| Root Letters | א-ל-ף |
| Occurrences in Hebrew Bible | 490× |
| Key Verse | Psalm 84:10 |
| Strong's Number | H505 |
| Category | Numbers & Measures |
The Hebrew word elef (אֶלֶף) means 'thousand,' and it is intimately connected to aleph (אָלֶף) — the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This connection is not accidental. Aleph, the silent first letter that begins the word 'Elohim' (God), represents the One from whom all numbers flow. And elef — a thousand — represents abundance so vast it overwhelms human counting. When the psalmist declares that one day in God's courts is better than an elef elsewhere (Psalm 84:10), he is saying that God's presence exceeds a thousand of anything else. When Deuteronomy 7:9 says God keeps covenant 'to a thousand (elef) generations,' it means His faithfulness is effectively infinite. When David's army numbered 'thousands (alafim) upon thousands,' the word conveys overwhelming abundance. Elef teaches that God's economy operates on a scale that dwarfs human calculation — His love, His faithfulness, and His provision overflow any measure we can construct.
Key Bible Verse: Psalm 84:10
“For a day in your courts is better than a thousand (elef) elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.”
What Is the Root of Elef in Hebrew?
Elef shares the same consonants as aleph, the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It may also be related to a word meaning 'clan' or 'tribal unit' — suggesting that elef originally described a family group large enough to field a military unit, rather than a precise count of 1,000.
What Does Elef Mean in the Bible?
Elef appears over 490 times in the Hebrew Bible. It describes military units (Judges 20:2), God's covenant faithfulness (Deuteronomy 7:9), the incomparable value of God's presence (Psalm 84:10, 90:4), cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10), and the messianic reign of a thousand years (Revelation 20:4).
How Is Elef Used in Modern Hebrew?
The IDF military rank system uses 'aluf' (from the same root as elef) for a general — originally the leader of a thousand. In modern Hebrew, 'alef' still means 'to teach/train,' and 'elef' still means thousand. The letter aleph begins the Hebrew alphabet and the word for God.
How to Use Elef in Prayer & Worship
Meditate on the God who keeps covenant to a thousand generations and owns the cattle on a thousand hills. His resources are elef upon elef. Ask Him to expand your vision beyond scarcity to the abundance of His kingdom — where one day with Him outweighs a thousand anywhere else.
Frequently Asked Questions About Elef
How do you say “Thousand” in Hebrew?
“Thousand” in Hebrew is Elef (אֶלֶף), pronounced “EH-lef.” Elef shares the same consonants as aleph, the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It may also be related to a word meaning 'clan' or 'tribal unit' — suggesting that elef originally described a family group large enough to field a military unit, rather than a precise count of 1,000.
What does Elef mean in the Bible?
Elef (אֶלֶף) means “Thousand, clan, vast number” in Biblical Hebrew. Elef appears over 490 times in the Hebrew Bible. It describes military units (Judges 20:2), God's covenant faithfulness (Deuteronomy 7:9), the incomparable value of God's presence (Psalm 84:10, 90:4), cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10), and the messianic reign of a thousand years (Revelation 20:4).
How do you pronounce Elef?
Elef is pronounced “EH-lef.” The word comes from the Hebrew root א-ל-ף.
What does 'a thousand generations' mean in the Bible?
Deuteronomy 7:9 says God keeps covenant to 'a thousand generations' — using elef to express near-infinite faithfulness. If a generation is roughly 40 years, a thousand generations equals 40,000 years. The point is not mathematical precision but theological assurance: God's covenant loyalty far outlasts any human timeframe.
Why is one day with God worth a thousand elsewhere?
Psalm 84:10 uses the contrast between 'one' and 'elef (thousand)' to express the incomparable value of God's presence. Even the lowest position in God's house (doorkeeper) surpasses the highest luxury outside it. Elef serves as a mathematical expression of what is actually beyond mathematics: infinite worth.
What is the connection between elef and the letter aleph?
Aleph (א), the first Hebrew letter, and elef (thousand) share the same root. Aleph represents the One God — the beginning of all things. Elef represents vast abundance. The connection teaches that from the One (God) comes immeasurable abundance. Everything flows from aleph to elef — from the unity of God to the overflow of His blessings.
Sources & Further Study
- Blue Letter Bible — H505: Elef
- Bible Gateway — Psalm 84:10 (ESV)
- Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB) — entry for א-ל-ף
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