Genesis 36:41 denotes him as an Edomite chieftain, descended from Esav.
Spelled like this, the word has links to El (root Ul/אול), meaning "a terebinth oak", or in some way connecting him to the Kena'ani father-god El. There is however, a quite different root, Alah (אלה) which is connected to oath-swearing, covenants, and curses, and which may be the one used here.
The oak-tree root also gives Eylot (אילת) = "a grove", usually of palm trees; whence Eilat (אילת) the Red Sea city, though this is not it.
1 Kings 4:18 has a Shim'i the son of Elah ( שִׁמְעִי בֶן-אֵלָא), a Benjamite; though there Elah is spelled (אלא), which is most unusual.
The oak-tree root also gives Eylot (אילת) = "a grove", usually of palm trees; whence Eilat (אילת) the Red Sea city, though this is not it.
1 Kings 4:18 has a Shim'i the son of Elah ( שִׁמְעִי בֶן-אֵלָא), a Benjamite; though there Elah is spelled (אלא), which is most unusual.
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