Lexical Summary eyaluth: Strength, might, power Original Word: אֱיָלוּת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance strength Feminine of 'eyal; power; by implication, protection -- strength. see HEBREW 'eyal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfem. of eyal Definition my help NASB Translation help (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [אֱיָלוּת] noun feminine id. suffix אֱיָלוּתִי Psalm 22:20 my help ("" יהוה). אָים (compare ᵑ7, Talmud אַיֵם terrify LagBN 28). Topical Lexicon Hebrew Context The feminine noun אֱיָלוּת is drawn from the verbal and nominal family that conveys the ideas of strength, might, and capacity. In Israelite thought, physical power was often pictured through natural emblems such as a ram’s horns or an oak’s solidity. When applied to the LORD, the term moves from brute force to covenantal reliability: the God of Israel is not merely strong but is the believer’s personal source of unassailable strength. Scriptural Occurrence Psalm 22:19 records David’s plea: “But You, O LORD, be not far off; O my strength, come quickly to help me.” Here אֱיָלוּת is addressed directly to God in the vocative, emphasizing that true deliverance depends on divine vigor, not human endurance. The singular use within the canon magnifies its intent: David chooses a rare word to spotlight an urgent, desperate reliance on Yahweh. Messianic Significance Psalm 22 as a whole foreshadows the sufferings of Jesus Christ (Matthew 27:46; John 19:24). In that cruciform context, the cry “O my strength” underscores the Son’s perfect dependence upon the Father when human help had vanished. Thus אֱיָלוּת subtly contributes to the Gospel narrative: the Messiah’s vindication rests on the Father’s invincible power. Theology of Divine Strength 1. Source, not supplement—Scripture consistently treats God’s might as foundational (Exodus 15:2; Isaiah 12:2). Historical Usage in Worship Early Jewish tradition read Psalm 22 during communal lament fasts, recognizing the unique designation of God as personal strength. Patristic writers later mined the psalm for Christological insight, interpreting “my strength” as a witness to the Father’s role in the resurrection. Practical Application for Believers • Prayer: In seasons of distress the believer may echo David’s language, anchoring petitions in God’s might rather than self-confidence. Related Biblical Themes Strength of the LORD—2 Samuel 22:33; Psalm 46:1. Christ our strength—2 Corinthians 12:9–10; Colossians 1:11. Empowerment by the Spirit—Acts 1:8; Ephesians 3:16. Summary אֱיָלוּת crystallizes the biblical conviction that the Almighty is not merely strong but becomes strength for His people. Its singular appearance in Psalm 22 amplifies a timeless truth: when all other supports fail, the covenant God remains the believer’s immediate, sufficient, and victorious power. Forms and Transliterations אֱ֝יָלוּתִ֗י אילותי ’ĕ·yā·lū·ṯî ’ĕyālūṯî eyaluTiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 22:19 HEB: אַל־ תִּרְחָ֑ק אֱ֝יָלוּתִ֗י לְעֶזְרָ֥תִי חֽוּשָׁה׃ NAS: be not far off; O You my help, hasten KJV: from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste INT: be not far my help to my assistance hasten 1 Occurrence |
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