Lexical Summary ayyalah: Doe, Hind Original Word: אַיָּלָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance hind Feminine of 'ayal; a doe or female deer -- hind. see HEBREW 'ayal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfem. of ayyal Definition a hind, doe NASB Translation deer (2), doe (2), hind (1), hinds (2), hinds' (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs אַיָּלָה noun feminine hind, doe — ׳א absolute Genesis 49:21 (but read אֵילָה see below); אַיֶּ֫לֶת Jeremiah 14:5; construct אַיֶּ֫לֶת Psalm 22:1; Proverbs 5:19; plural אַיָּלוֺת Psalm 29:9 4t; construct אַיְלוֺת Songs 2:7; Songs 3:5 — hind, doe, as calving Job 39:1 (׳חֹלֵל א "" לֶדֶת יַעֲלֵי סָ֑לַע) compare Psalm 29:9 ׳יְחוֺלֵל א ׳קוֺל י; in adjuration הַשָּׂדֶה ׳בָּצְבָאוֺת אוֺ בְּא Songs 2:7; Songs 3:5; in simileמְשַׁוֶּה רַגְלַי ׳כָּא Psalm 18:34 = 2 Samuel 22:34 compare ׳כָּא ׳וַיָּשֶׂם ר Habakkuk 3:19 i.e. surefooted, secure, compare "" וְעַל בָּמֹתַי יַעֲמִידֵנִי Psalm 18:34 (2 Samuel 22:34; so Habakkuk 3:19 but verb יַדְרִכֵנִי metaphor of Naphtali Genesis 49:21 שְׁלֻחָה ׳א, but read אֵילָה, compare sub. I. אֵלָה; in name of a melody Psalm 22:1 עַלאַֿיֶּלֶת הַשַּׁחַר compare De, & forhind as figurative of dawn Yom.29 a. Topical Lexicon Natural Characteristics of the Doe The doe embodies agility, grace, alertness, lightness of step, and maternal instinct. In the rugged hills of ancient Israel these traits were easily observed, making the animal an apt metaphor for eloquence, sure-footed security, gentle beauty, and the mysterious timing of birth. Literary Function in Scripture The eight appearances of אַיָּלָה move along three principal lines: Individual Occurrences 1. Genesis 49:21 – The Blessing of Naphtali “Naphtali is a doe let loose; he brings forth beautiful words.” A liberated doe pictures a tribe marked by freedom of movement and inspired speech. The image foretells an unencumbered, fruitful ministry that finds fulfillment in judges, deliverers, and eventually the Galilean ministry of Jesus, where much of His “beautiful words” were spoken. 2. 2 Samuel 22:34 / Psalm 18:33 – Surefooted Deliverance “He makes my feet like the feet of a deer and stations me upon the heights.” David’s song of deliverance draws on the deer’s ability to bound across crags others cannot travel. The verse presents God as the One who provides supernatural steadiness during peril, preparing His servant to take the high ground physically, morally, and spiritually. 3. Job 39:1 – Divine Providence in Creation “Do you know when mountain goats give birth? Have you watched when the doe bears her fawn?” The question exposes human limitation against God’s intimate oversight of animal life. The hidden, nocturnal birth of the doe reminds Job that even the secret places of suffering and renewal are under the Creator’s eye. 4. Psalm 29:9 – The Power of the Divine Voice “The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth and strips the forests bare; and in His temple all cry, ‘Glory!’” The same thunderous utterance that topples cedars also initiates fragile life. The juxtaposition enforces reverence: omnipotence is perfectly balanced with tender nurture. 5. Song of Songs 2:7; 3:5 – Guarded Intimacy “O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until the time is right.” Invoking wild does that flee at disturbance, the bride cautions against premature passion. The parallelism teaches restraint, timing, and covenant fidelity—principles applicable to courtship, worship, and any God-given delight. 6. Habakkuk 3:19 – Triumph on the Heights “GOD the Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like those of a deer; He makes me walk upon the heights.” The prophet ends his psalm with the promise of elevation above invading armies and barren fig trees. Trust in the covenant LORD yields stability and victory, whatever the geopolitical terrain. Thematic Threads • Freedom of speech and movement granted by God (Genesis 49:21). Historical Background Deer roamed the forests of Carmel, Bashan, and Gilead. Classified as clean game (Deuteronomy 12:15), they provided meat and hides but were prized chiefly for graceful beauty. Ancient poetry and Near Eastern iconography frequented deer imagery, yet Israel’s Scripture anchors the symbolism in Yahweh’s character and covenant purposes. Ministry Application 1. Encourage believers to pursue “beautiful words” that set others free, modeled after Naphtali and ultimately after Christ. In every passage the doe draws the eye upward—from earthly hillsides to spiritual heights—inviting faith that is nimble, consecrated, and expectant. Forms and Transliterations אַיָּל֣וֹת אַיָּלָ֣ה אַיָּלוֹת֮ אילה אילות בְּאַיְל֣וֹת באילות כָּֽאַיָּל֔וֹת כָּאַיָּל֑וֹת כאילות ’ay·yā·lāh ’ay·yā·lō·wṯ ’ayyālāh ’ayyālōwṯ aiyaLah aiyaLot bə’aylōwṯ bə·’ay·lō·wṯ beayLot kā’ayyālōwṯ kā·’ay·yā·lō·wṯ kaaiyaLotLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 49:21 HEB: נַפְתָּלִ֖י אַיָּלָ֣ה שְׁלֻחָ֑ה הַנֹּתֵ֖ן NAS: Naphtali is a doe let loose, He gives KJV: Naphtali [is] a hind let loose: INT: Naphtali doe let gives 2 Samuel 22:34 Job 39:1 Psalm 18:33 Psalm 29:9 Songs 2:7 Songs 3:5 Habakkuk 3:19 8 Occurrences |
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