Elah (Hebrew: אֵלָה) is a biblical figure designated as one of the Dukes of Edom in the genealogies of Genesis and 1 Chronicles. The name is etymologically linked to the terebinth tree or oak, symbolizing endurance, stubborn strength, and deep-rooted, rigid power that resists external change.

Position on the Tree of Life

Elah is attributed to the fifth Sephirah, Geburah (Severity or Strength). In the descent of the divine emanations, Geburah represents the restrictive, analytical, and destructive aspect of force. As a Duke of Edom associated with this fifth step, Elah represents the raw, unmitigated severity of the pre-cosmic forces before they were tempered by the balancing influence of Mercy (Chesed). He stands as a gatekeeper of the severe aspect of the divine will.

Astrological and Planetary Correspondence

Aligned with Geburah, Elah shares a symbolic resonance with the planet Mars. This connection emphasizes themes of conflict, division, boundaries, and the fierce energy required to establish individual identity. The Martian heat and dry severity align with the arid, mountainous landscape of Edom, where Elah's clan held dominion, reflecting a harsh environment of survival and conflict.

Historical Context

The primary historical sources for Elah are Genesis 36:41 and 1 Chronicles 1:52, which enumerate the chiefs or "dukes" (Hebrew: alluphim) of the descendants of Esau. In the Zohar and subsequent Lurianic Qabalah, the Kings and Dukes of Edom are not merely historical chieftains but cosmic symbols. They represent the "Shattering of the Vessels" (Shevirat Ha-Kelim) in the primordial world of Tohu (Chaos). Because these vessels were composed of pure, unmitigated judgment (Geburah) without the stabilizing influence of light, they could not contain the divine influx and shattered. Elah specifically represents one of these rigid, shattered structures of judgment that must be rectified (Tikkun) and integrated into the balanced Tree of Life.

In Liber 777, Elah is positioned in the column of the Dukes of Edom at the fifth scale step. This placement highlights his role as a personification of Geburah's severe, unbalanced energy within the Qliphothic or pre-rectified hierarchy of Edomite rulers.