Original Word: אָלַח
Part of Speech: verb
Transliteration: alach
Pronunciation: ah-lakh
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-lakh')
KJV: become filthy
NASB: become corrupt, corrupt
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to muddle
2. (figuratively and intransitive) to turn
3. (morally) corrupt

become filthy

A primitive root; to muddle, i.e. (figuratively and intransitive) to turn (morally) corrupt -- become filthy.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to be corrupt (morally)
NASB Translation
become corrupt (2), corrupt (1). [] only

; tainted (Che Psalm 14:3) (compare Arabic 👁 Image
VIII. be confused (of a thing), of milk, turn sour) Perfect3plural Psalm 14:3; Psalm 53:4; Participle a corrupt man Job 15:16.

Meaning and Thematic Emphasis

This rare verb portrays the progression from internal impurity to outward acts of corruption. It speaks less of ceremonial uncleanness and more of ethical pollution—a willful descent into moral filth that aligns the sinner against the holiness of God.

Occurrences in Scripture

Job 15:16 exposes humanity’s natural bent toward moral degradation: “how much less man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks injustice like water!”. Twice in the Psalter the corporate dimension is stressed: “All have turned away; all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.” (Psalm 14:3; Psalm 53:3). In each context the verb underscores total corruption that touches every person and every sphere of society apart from divine intervention.

Doctrinal Significance

1. Universality of Sin: The Psalms’ sweeping indictment provides Old Testament foundation for the Pauline argument in Romans 3:12, confirming that no one is righteous by nature.
2. Contrast with Divine Holiness: The term’s filth imagery magnifies God’s purity; His aversion to corruption highlights the chasm between Creator and fallen creation (Habakkuk 1:13).
3. Necessity of Redemption: The stark assessment anticipates the cleansing work of the Messiah (Isaiah 53:5; Titus 3:5). The recognition of utter corruption drives the repentant to seek grace.

Historical Context

Job’s dialogue belongs to patriarchal times when righteousness was often measured by visible blessing. Eliphaz’s accusation leverages the verb to argue that Job, like all men, must be inherently corrupt, thus sustaining traditional retribution theology. In the Psalms, David (or the post-exilic community, if Psalm 53 is later) laments pervasive societal decay, perhaps during seasons when covenant faithfulness was eclipsed by idolatry and injustice.

Intertextual Connections

• Genesis 6:12 uses a cognate idea—“all flesh had corrupted their way”—linking pre-flood depravity to the ongoing human problem.
• Isaiah 1:4 describes the nation as “a brood of evildoers,” echoing the same moral rot.
• Romans 1:21-28 reflects the spiral from inner corruption to outward impurity, demonstrating continuity between Testaments.

Practical and Ministry Implications

• Preaching and Evangelism: The verb arms the preacher with biblical language to diagnose sin honestly while steering hearers toward the gospel cure.
• Counseling and Discipleship: Recognizing innate corruption keeps ministry grounded in grace, discouraging legalism and self-reliance.
• Corporate Prayer: Congregational confession can draw on Psalm 14 and Psalm 53 to lament communal sin and seek renewal (2 Chronicles 7:14).
• Apologetics: The doctrine of pervasive corruption explains the universality of evil and the necessity of objective moral standards rooted in God’s character.

Summary

Though appearing only thrice, this verb offers a potent window into humanity’s fallen condition. It unites patriarchal wisdom, Davidic worship, prophetic warning, and apostolic theology in a single, sobering testimony: apart from God’s cleansing, mankind is hopelessly corrupt.

וְֽנֶאֱלָ֑ח ונאלח נֶ֫אֱלָ֥חוּ נאלחו ne’ĕlāḥū ne·’ĕ·lā·ḥū neeLachu veneeLach wə·ne·’ĕ·lāḥ wəne’ĕlāḥInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts

Job 15:16
HEB: כִּֽי־ נִתְעָ֥ב וְֽנֶאֱלָ֑ח אִישׁ־ שֹׁתֶ֖ה
NAS: one who is detestable and corrupt, Man,
KJV: How much more abominable and filthy [is] man,
INT: for is detestable and corrupt Man drinks

Psalm 14:3
HEB: סָר֮ יַחְדָּ֪ו נֶ֫אֱלָ֥חוּ אֵ֤ין עֹֽשֵׂה־
NAS: together they have become corrupt; There
KJV: they are [all] together become filthy: [there is] none that doeth
INT: turned are together have become There does

Psalm 53:3
HEB: סָג֮ יַחְדָּ֪ו נֶ֫אֱלָ֥חוּ אֵ֤ין עֹֽשֵׂה־
NAS: together they have become corrupt; There
KJV: they are altogether become filthy; [there is] none that doeth
INT: has turned are altogether have become There does

3 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 444
3 Occurrences

ne·’ĕ·lā·ḥū — 2 Occ.
wə·ne·’ĕ·lāḥ — 1 Occ.