5933. Alvah or Alyah

Lexical Summary

Alvah or Alyah: Alvah or Alyah

Original Word: עַלְוָה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: `Alvah
Pronunciation: al-vaw'
Phonetic Spelling: (al-vaw')
KJV: Aliah, Alvah
NASB: Aliah, Alvah
Word Origin: [the same as H5932 (עַלוָה - Alvah)]

1. Alvah or Aljah, an Idumaean

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Aliah, Alvah

Or Alyah {al-yaw'}; the same as alvah; Alvah or Aljah, an Idumaean -- Aliah, Alvah.

see HEBREW alvah

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from alah
Definition
an Edomite
NASB Translation
Aliah (1), Alvah (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

II. עַלְוָה proper name, masculine in Edom Genesis 36:40 (P) = 1 Chronicles 1:51 Qr (Kt עליה), ᵐ5 Γωλα; ᵐ5^LChronicles Αλουα.

Topical Lexicon

Biblical Occurrences

Genesis 36:40 places Alvah among the clan-chiefs (ḥori, “chieftains”) of Esau: “These were the chiefs of the descendants of Esau: the sons of Eliphaz … Chief Timna, Chief Alvah, Chief Jetheth”. 1 Chronicles 1:51 repeats the same historical notice for post-exilic readers, preserving Esau’s line alongside Israel’s own. Together the two texts anchor Alvah in the patriarchal period, roughly the late second millennium BC.

Historical Setting

1. Genealogical Function: Genesis 36 forms a literary bridge between the Jacob narratives and the Joseph cycle. By listing Esau’s chiefs, Moses shows how the promise that “two nations are in your womb” (Genesis 25:23) rapidly materialized; Edom produced organized leadership even “before any king reigned over the Israelites” (Genesis 36:31). Alvah, therefore, stands as evidence of Edom’s early statehood.
2. Geography and Clan Structure: The chiefs in Genesis 36 likely represent districts or semi-nomadic clans in Seir. Alvah’s name occurs between Timna and Jetheth, suggesting a position among the northern or eastern groups that bordered the later trade routes toward the Arabian desert.
3. Scribal Variation: The Chronicler transcribes the name as “Aliah.” The change of the final consonant (waw/ yod) reflects orthographic development, not a second person. Such minor spelling shifts elsewhere (e.g., “Shemaiah/ Shema” 1 Chronicles 9:14) confirm the transmission reliability of the text.

Theological and Ministry Significance

1. Fulfillment of Prophecy: Alvah’s inclusion demonstrates God’s faithfulness to His word regarding Esau. The rapid rise of Edomite chiefs fulfills Genesis 27:40 (“you will live by the sword”) and anticipates later hostilities, yet it also reaffirms divine control over all nations.
2. Contrast with Covenant Line: While Alvah’s clan enjoyed early prominence, Edom later opposed Israel (Numbers 20:14-21; Obadiah 8-10). The rise-and-fall arc spotlights the transient glory of nations outside the covenant, contrasting with the enduring promises to Jacob.
3. Reminder of Divine Omniscience: Genealogical precision—even for a non-covenant people—underscores that “all the nations are as a drop in a bucket” (Isaiah 40:15). Pastors may draw comfort that God knows every tribe, chief, and individual in the redemptive storyline.
4. Cautionary Example: Hebrews 12:16 warns believers not to become “like Esau, who sold his birthright.” By extension, Alvah’s fleeting mention illustrates how earthly rank without spiritual inheritance fades from Scripture’s spotlight.

Applications for Contemporary Believers

• God’s Sovereignty over History: The record of a single Edomite chief reinforces that no corner of history lies outside divine oversight. Believers can trust God’s hand in both celebrated and obscure events.
• Value of the Seemingly Insignificant: Though Alvah’s name appears only twice, it is preserved eternally in Scripture. Local church members who feel unnoticed can be reminded that their names, too, are written before God (Luke 10:20).
• Integrity of the Biblical Record: Parallel passages using slightly different spellings teach confidence in Scripture’s inspired precision and the value of careful study.

Related Scriptures and Themes

Genesis 25:23; Genesis 27:40; Genesis 36:31-43; Numbers 20:14-21; Deuteronomy 2:4-5; Obadiah 8-10; Isaiah 40:15; Hebrews 12:16.

Forms and Transliterations

עַֽלְוָ֖ה עלוה

Englishman's Concordance

Genesis 36:40
HEB: תִּמְנָ֛ע אַלּ֥וּף עַֽלְוָ֖ה אַלּ֥וּף יְתֵֽת׃
NAS: Timna, chief Alvah, chief Jetheth,
KJV: Timnah, duke Alvah, duke Jetheth,
INT: Timna chief Alvah chief Jetheth

1 Chronicles 1:51
HEB: [עַלְיָה כ] (עַֽלְוָ֖ה ק) אַלּ֥וּף
NAS: Timna, chief Aliah, chief Jetheth,
KJV: Timnah, duke Aliah, duke Jetheth,
INT: Timna chief Aliah chief Jetheth

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 5933
2 Occurrences

‘al·wāh — 2 Occ.