502. alaph

Lexical Summary

alaph: teaches, learn, teach

Original Word: אָלַף
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: alph
Pronunciation: ah-laf'
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-lof')
KJV: learn, teach, utter
NASB: teaches, learn, teach
Word Origin: [a primitive root, to associate with]

1. hence, to learn (and causatively to teach)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

learn, teach, utter

A primitive root, to associate with; hence, to learn (and causatively to teach) -- learn, teach, utter.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to learn
NASB Translation
learn (1), teach (1), teaches (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

I. [אָלַף] verb learn (Arabic keep, cleave to, become familiar with; Aramaic אֲלַף, , learn, , Pa teach).

Qal Imperfect2masculine singular תֶּאֱלַף אֹרְחֹתָו֯ Proverbs 22:25;

Pi`el teach, followed by accusative יְאַלֵּף מִּיךָ Job 15:5 (subject עֲוֺנְךָ); so Participle מַלְּפֵנוּ (for ׳מְאַלְּ Sta^{§ lll, 3} Kö^{1, 388 Ge:§ 68} fin., compare Ew^{§ 73 b}) Job 35:11; followed by 2accusative אֲאַלֶּפְךָ חָכְמָה Job 33:33.

Topical Lexicon

Foundational Meaning

The verb conveyed by Strong’s Hebrew 502 speaks of learning that produces familiarity, and of teaching that brings another into well-practiced habits. It moves beyond the mere transmission of facts to the forming of character and reflex; the learner becomes “accustomed” or “trained.”

Occurrences and Contexts

1. Job 15:5 shows that sin itself can become a perverse tutor: “For your iniquity instructs your mouth, and you choose the language of the crafty.” The verse warns that the human heart, left unchecked, will be schooled by its own rebellion.
2. Job 33:33 presents true instruction as the opposite of self-justification: “But if you have nothing to say, then listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.” Elihu offers to bring Job into the wisdom that only submission can receive.
3. Job 35:11 turns the spotlight from human to divine pedagogy: God “teaches us more than the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds of the air.” Creation’s instinct is surpassed by the moral and spiritual schooling God gives humankind.
4. Proverbs 22:25 cautions against intimate association with a hot-tempered man “or you may learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.” What we constantly observe we will soon practice.

Theological Themes

• Moral Neutrality of the Process: The same dynamic that can produce holiness can also produce folly; everything hinges on the teacher chosen.
• Divine Initiative in Education: God assumes the role of chief Instructor, raising humanity above instinctive behavior toward moral accountability.
• Relational Transfer: Learning here is inseparable from fellowship. One absorbs the character of the one with whom one walks (Amos 3:3).
• Repentance and Teachability: In Job, refusal to listen is portrayed as arrogance, whereas humility opens the door to true instruction (Job 33:33).

Implications for Wisdom Literature

Both Job and Proverbs present wisdom not as an abstract attainment but as a habitus—an ingrained way of being formed through repeated exposure to righteous patterns. The fear of the Lord, therefore, is not only the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10) but also its continual trainer.

Connection to Discipleship and Education in Scripture

The Old Testament verb anticipates New Testament discipleship. Jesus’ call, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me” (Matthew 11:29), echoes the same idea: life-on-life formation that leads to practiced righteousness (Hebrews 5:14). Paul likewise instructs Timothy to “continue in what you have learned” (2 Timothy 3:14), stressing endurance in the tutelage of Scripture.

Historical Usage in Ancient Israel

Ancient village life relied on apprenticeship. Whether in shepherding, craftsmanship, or prophetic guilds, learning meant imitation beside a master. The term underlines that Israel’s covenant identity was preserved by communal practices—festivals, rituals, recitations—through which each generation was trained to know the Lord (Deuteronomy 6:6–9).

Practical Ministry Applications

• Prioritize relational mentoring; curricula alone do not create disciples.
• Guard associations; habitual exposure to ungodly models forms snares.
• Cultivate teachability as an act of worship, acknowledging God’s role as Instructor.
• Recognize that sanctification requires repeated practice; structure ministry rhythms that reinforce truth until it becomes reflex.

Related Biblical Motifs

• The yoke as a symbol of guided work (Jeremiah 6:16; Matthew 11:29).
• Early morning instruction by the prophets (Isaiah 50:4).
• The contrast between the “way of sinners” and the “law of the Lord” (Psalm 1).

Forms and Transliterations

וַאֲאַלֶּפְךָ֥ ואאלפך יְאַלֵּ֣ף יאלף מַ֭לְּפֵנוּ מלפנו תֶּאֱלַ֥ף תאלף mal·lə·p̄ê·nū Mallefenu malləp̄ênū te’ĕlap̄ te·’ĕ·lap̄ teeLaf vaaallefCha wa’ă’allep̄ḵā wa·’ă·’al·lep̄·ḵā yə’allêp̄ yə·’al·lêp̄ yealLef

Englishman's Concordance

Job 15:5
HEB: כִּ֤י יְאַלֵּ֣ף עֲוֹנְךָ֣ פִ֑יךָ
NAS: For your guilt teaches your mouth,
KJV: For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity,
INT: for teaches your guilt your mouth

Job 33:33
HEB: לִ֑י הַ֝חֲרֵ֗שׁ וַאֲאַלֶּפְךָ֥ חָכְמָֽה׃ ס
NAS: to me; Keep silent, and I will teach you wisdom.
KJV: unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.
INT: listen Keep will teach wisdom

Job 35:11
HEB: מַ֭לְּפֵנוּ מִבַּהֲמ֣וֹת אָ֑רֶץ
NAS: Who teaches us more than the beasts
KJV: Who teacheth us more than the beasts
INT: teaches the beasts of the earth

Proverbs 22:25
HEB: פֶּן־ תֶּאֱלַ֥ף [אָרְחָתֹו כ]
NAS: Or you will learn his ways And find
KJV: Lest thou learn his ways, and get
INT: Or will learn manner and find

4 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 502
4 Occurrences

mal·lə·p̄ê·nū — 1 Occ.
te·’ĕ·lap̄ — 1 Occ.
wa·’ă·’al·lep̄·ḵā — 1 Occ.
yə·’al·lêp̄ — 1 Occ.