אָלַץ
a.lats (H0509)
to urge
AI Word Study
# Analysis of אָלַץ (alats) The Hebrew word אָלַץ (alats) carries the meaning "to urge," indicating a verbal action directed toward compelling or persuading someone toward a particular course of action. This definition suggests an interpersonal dynamic where one party exerts pressure or influence on another to move them toward a specific goal or decision. The lexical data reveals significant limitations on our ability to understand this word's full range and nuance. With only a single occurrence in the entire biblical text, אָלַץ appears as a hapax legomenon—a word attested only once in the Hebrew scriptures. This singular attestation means we cannot observe how the word's meaning might shift across different contexts, what typical subjects or objects accompany it, or how its intensity compares to related terms. A single biblical instance provides the bare minimum of evidence for establishing meaning. For readers seeking to understand this word's significance, the rarity of its appearance is itself noteworthy. Words occurring only once in ancient texts often present interpretive challenges precisely because contextual comparison is impossible. The definition "to urge" is clear enough, but without additional examples, the precise force of this urging—whether gentle persuasion, urgent insistence, or forceful demand—remains uncertain and dependent upon interpretation of its single biblical context.
AI synthesis uses only provided lexicon data -- never training knowledge.
When she pressed him daily with her words and urged him, his soul was troubled to death.