Lexical Summary achalay: "Oh that," "Would that," "If only" Original Word: אַחֲלַי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance O that, would God Or achaley {akh-al-ay'}; prob from 'ach and a variation of luw'; would that! -- O that, would God. see HEBREW 'ach see HEBREW luw' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition O! would that! NASB Translation Oh (1), wish (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs אַחְלַי Psalm 119:5 and אַחֲלֵי 2 Kings 5:3 (perhaps from אָח III. and לַי = Aramaic לְוַי = ׃לוּ the varying punctuation is due doubtless to the word being treated by the punctuators as a substantive = wish, with suffix & in construct stative, 'my wish is that,' etc.; compare Ki on Psalm 119 תְּחִנּוֺתַי וּבַקָּשׁוֺתַי), ah that! (ᵐ5 ο[φελον). Topical Lexicon An Interjection of Earnest Desire אַחֲלַי is the heart-cry that bursts from the lips when a hope too large for ordinary speech presses upon the soul. It is never employed for casual wishes; it announces an intense longing that only divine intervention can satisfy. Canonical Occurrences 1. 2 Kings 5:3 – the servant girl’s plea on behalf of Naaman. Narrative Significance in the Naaman Account (2 Kings 5:3) “If only my master would go to the prophet who is in Samaria, he would cure him of his leprosy.” The unnamed Israelite girl, despite her captivity, utters אַחֲלַי as a declaration of confident faith in the God of Israel and in the prophet Elisha. Her desire is missional: she longs for her Syrian master to encounter the living God. The interjection therefore becomes a spark that ignites a chain of events culminating in Naaman’s healing and confession that “there is no God in all the earth except in Israel” (2 Kings 5:15). אַחֲלַי here embodies evangelistic compassion and trust in prophetic authority. Devotional Significance in Psalm 119:5 “O that my ways were committed to keeping Your statutes!” The psalmist’s cry lays bare the gap between knowledge and practice. אַחֲלַי signals an internal struggle: a Spirit-awakened desire for holiness that acknowledges personal weakness. By framing obedience as something longed for rather than self-generated, the verse pushes the worshiper toward dependence on divine enabling (compare Ezekiel 36:27; John 15:5). Themes of Covenant Grace and Human Longing • Recognition of need: both speakers know that the desired outcome lies beyond human power. Historical and Linguistic Notes Ancient Near Eastern literature rarely records slaves or commoners shaping international affairs, yet Scripture elevates the faith of a captive girl above the military prowess of generals. In liturgical settings, Psalm 119 was recited to cultivate this very posture: yearning that yields to obedience. The interjection’s brief appearance in Hebrew corpus highlights how a single word can carry profound theological weight. Ministry and Pastoral Application • Intercessory prayer: leaders can encourage believers to turn every longing for a loved one’s salvation into an אַחֲלַי plea. Echoes in Redemptive History Paul mirrors the heart of אַחֲלַי when he writes, “My heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is for their salvation” (Romans 10:1). The groaning of creation itself (Romans 8:22-23) is an enlarged cosmic אַחֲלַי awaiting full redemption, ultimately fulfilled in Revelation 21:3-4 when longing gives way to sight. Personal Reflection and Prayer Lord, let the ancient cry אַחֲלַי rise in my own heart—first for steadfast obedience, then for others to know Your saving power. May every holy longing drive me to the feet of Christ, where all desires find their consummation. Forms and Transliterations אַ֭חֲלַי אַחֲלֵ֣י אחלי ’a·ḥă·lay ’a·ḥă·lê ’aḥălay ’aḥălê Achalai achaLeiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Kings 5:3 HEB: אֶל־ גְּבִרְתָּ֔הּ אַחֲלֵ֣י אֲדֹנִ֔י לִפְנֵ֥י NAS: to her mistress, I wish that my master KJV: unto her mistress, Would God my lord INT: to her mistress wish my master with Psalm 119:5 2 Occurrences |
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