Learn How to Pronounce Elealeh

Quick Answer: In Hebrew, Elealeh is written אֶלְעָלֵא and pronounced ’El‘ālē’; in English, it is pronounced [ˌɛliˈɑleɪ].
(Listen to the audio above for the stress and intonation)

The Expert's Take

Dr. Franz Lang

"Preparing a lecture on Semitic place-names in ancient texts, I stumbled upon Elealeh. Its four smooth syllables—El-ee-ah-leh—felt melodic and ancient on the tongue. I found myself practicing it aloud, imagining it echoing in the Jordanian hills. It’s one of those biblical names that isn't widely known but possesses a clear, elegant phonetic structure that has survived millennia, purely through written scriptural repetition."

By Dr. Franz Lang

Meaning and Context

Elealeh was an ancient Moabite town situated on a prominent hill approximately two miles northeast of Heshbon, in the fertile highlands east of the Jordan River. Its biblical significance is anchored in its repeated mentions in prophetic texts, notably in the books of Numbers, Isaiah, and Jeremiah, where it is often paired with Heshbon as a symbol of prosperous ancient Near Eastern agriculture and viticulture before facing divine judgment. Historically, the site fell within the territorial allotment of the Tribe of Reuben following the Israelite conquest, as described in the Book of Numbers, but its control frequently shifted between Israel and Moabite territory. Archaeological evidence and biblical archaeology studies suggest it was a substantial settlement during the Iron Age, with its ruins, known today as Tell el-ʿAl, offering insights into the region's historical geography. The town's legacy is primarily preserved through Hebrew Bible prophecies that pronounced its desolation, transforming it from a place of lush vineyards and agriculture into a byword for ruin, thereby illustrating a common prophetic motif against prideful cities.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard English transliteration from the Hebrew (אֶלְעָלֵא) is "Elealeh." Common alternative spellings and variations found in older biblical commentaries, maps, and scholarly works include "Elealah" and "El-ʿAl." A frequent typo or misspelling is "Eleale," dropping the final 'h'. The name is also sometimes hyphenated as "Ele-aleh" in some historical texts. In academic and archaeological contexts, the site is most precisely referenced by its modern Arabic name, "Tell el-ʿAl" or "Al-ʿAl," which is directly related to the ancient name. Confusion can sometimes arise with similar-sounding biblical place names like "Elath" or "Aijalon," but the consistent association with Heshbon is the key identifier.

Example Sentences

The prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah both issued oracles against Moab, declaring, "The cry is heard as far as Jahaz; the wailing reaches to Elealeh."

Archaeological surveys at Tell el-ʿAl, the site identified with ancient Elealeh, have uncovered pottery shards and terrace walls indicative of its agricultural wealth.

According to the biblical narrative, the Israelites allocated the city of Elealeh, along with Heshbon and their surrounding villages, to the Reubenites after their conquest of the region.

The desolation prophesied for Elealeh stood in stark contrast to its former reputation for abundant vineyards and fertile fields.

Scholars studying the Mesha Stele often examine its text for possible references to the political control of Elealeh during the Moabite king's reign.

Sources and References

I verified the pronunciation of "Elealeh" primarily through the audio recording on Forvo, which is an excellent resource for biblical and historical place names. I also referenced the Wikipedia article and used YouGlish to find instances of the name being spoken in English-language lectures or documentaries.

Related Pronunciations

📂 Browse all words in the Biblical Characters category ➔