Lexical Summary illek: "thither," "there," "to that place" Original Word: אִלֵּךְ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance these, those (Aramaic) prolonged from 'el; these -- these, those. see HEBREW 'el NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) prol. from el Definition these NASB Translation these (11), those (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs אִלֵּךְ demonstrative pronoun plural these (plural of דֵּךְ, q. v.: Egyptian Aramaic אלך (Cooke207 RES361 B S-CPap. E 6+): with hâ prefixed, Old Syriac  , feminine  Nö§ 67, M§ 82 BurkittEvang. da-Mepharreshe ii.42, Christian-Palestinian Aramaic  (masculine and feminine) SchwIdioticon 24; compare Arabic  , Ethiopic  : DiLex.1057: the demonstrative affix ך as in דֵּךְ,  , etc.; WCG 110); — these, גֻּבְרַיָּא אִלֵּךְ these men, Daniel 3:12,13,21,22,23,27; Daniel 6:6; Daniel 6:12; Daniel 6:16; Daniel 6:25; Ezra 4:21; Ezra 16:8b; also Ezra 5:9; Ezra 6:8a. Topical Lexicon Linguistic Range and Function אִלֵּךְ functions as a demonstrative pronoun in the Aramaic portions of Ezra and Daniel. It consistently refers to a specific, identifiable group already in view, drawing attention to “these men” (or “those men”) who stand either for or against the purposes of God. Occurrences and Narrative Roles 1. Ezra 4:21; 5:9; 6:8 (twice) – Persian officials label the returned exiles “these men,” treating the builders of the second temple as a suspicious minority. Historical Setting Ezra’s occurrences sit in the reign of Artaxerxes and Darius I, when Judah’s remnant faced imperial scrutiny. Daniel’s uses belong to the Neo-Babylonian and early Medo-Persian eras, portraying Jewish believers navigating pagan courts. In both books the term highlights covenant people situated among foreign powers, a recurring post-exilic reality. Theological Themes 1. Divine Sovereignty over Hostile Powers In Ezra the decrees that halt, then resume, temple construction show kings overruled by the King of kings. In Daniel 3 and 6, Gentile rulers speak of “these men,” yet God acts for them: The pronoun thus frames dramatic reversals where God honors faith and frustrates opposition. 2. Witness through Faithful Minority The phrase repeatedly marks a small, uncompromising remnant distinguished from the surrounding culture. Their courage underlines the prophetic ideal of holiness amid exile. 3. Judgment and Vindication The narrative arc often moves from accusation to deliverance, then to retribution on the accusers: “At the king’s command, those men who had falsely accused Daniel were…thrown into the den of lions” (Daniel 6:24). אִלֵּךְ can therefore signal impending divine justice. Practical Ministry Insights • Spiritual leaders today shepherd “resident aliens” (1 Peter 2:11) in secular settings. The term reminds believers that being called “these people” by society is not defeat but an opportunity for witness. Christological Reflection By spotlighting a faithful few condemned by worldly authorities yet marvelously preserved, אִלֵּךְ anticipates the rejected yet vindicated Messiah. Like “these men,” Jesus is marginalized and accused but ultimately exalted (Philippians 2:9-11). The deliverance of the Hebrews from fire and Daniel from lions foreshadows resurrection triumph over death. Summary אִלֵּךְ, though merely a demonstrative, threads through key post-exilic texts to magnify God’s faithfulness to His people, encourage steadfastness amid cultural pressure, and prefigure the greater salvation accomplished in Christ. Forms and Transliterations אִלֵּ֑ךְ אִלֵּ֔ךְ אִלֵּ֖ךְ אִלֵּ֗ךְ אִלֵּ֡ךְ אִלֵּךְ֙ אלך ’il·lêḵ ’illêḵ ilLechLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 4:21 HEB: לְבַטָּלָ֖א גֻּבְרַיָּ֣א אִלֵּ֑ךְ וְקִרְיְתָ֥א דָךְ֙ NAS: issue a decree to make these men stop KJV: to cause these men INT: stop men these city this Ezra 5:9 Ezra 6:8 Ezra 6:8 Daniel 3:12 Daniel 3:13 Daniel 3:21 Daniel 3:22 Daniel 3:23 Daniel 3:27 Daniel 6:5 Daniel 6:11 Daniel 6:15 Daniel 6:24 14 Occurrences |
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