SPECIAL TOPIC: ALAS

"Alas" This INTERJECTION (i.e. "alas," "woe," "ah," BDB 222) is used in several senses.

1. at a funeral (i.e. "alas")
   1. royal ‒ 1 Kgs. 13:30; Jer. 22:18; 34:5
   2. non-royal ‒ Amos 5:16
2. declaration of the sins of Judah ‒ Isa. 1:4
3. judgment of Assyria ("woe") ‒ Isa. 10:5
4. judgment of rich Judean exploitation of the poor and helpless ("woe") ‒ Isa. 5:8,11,18; Jer. 22:13; Hab. 2:6,9,12
5. judgment of Judean idolaters ("woe") ‒ Isa. 29:15; 45:9,10; Hab. 2:19; Ezek. 13:18
6. judgment on Judean leaders who seek an alliance with Egypt ("woe") ‒ Isa. 31:1 (also note Zech 11:17)
7. judgment ("alas") ‒ Jer. 30:7; 48:1
8. a way of attracting attention ("Ho," "Ah") ‒ Isa. 18:1; 55:1; Jer. 47:6; Zech. 2:10,11

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