Meaning of Aleph (א) Hebrew Letter

Aleph is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Its earliest alphabetic form is associated with an ox head, while the letter itself functioned as a consonant. In later Hebrew pronunciation, its sound may be weak or effectively silent.

Pronunciation and form

Pronounced: AH-lef. Sound: Glottal stop /ʔ/. Often weak or silent in later pronunciation

Traditional meaning and association

Aleph is traditionally associated with Ox; related teaching associations include Strength. These traditional pictures should be distinguished from the letter’s role as a consonant in actual Hebrew words.

Biblical Hebrew word examples

אלהים (Elohim) — God Genesis 1:1
אור (Or) — Light Genesis 1:3
אב (Av) — Father Genesis 17:4
אמת (Emet) — Truth Psalm 119:160

Scripture connections and Messiah

אמת — EMET · TRUTH
Aleph begins the Hebrew word for truth. In John 14:6, Jesus identifies Himself as the truth.
John 14:6
אור — OR · LIGHT
Aleph begins the Hebrew word for light. In John 8:12, Jesus identifies Himself as the light of the world.
John 8:12

Psalm 119 study passage

The acrostic stanza for Aleph is Psalm 119:1–8. Read the first verse of this stanza in the TOC Bible reader.