oath
a.lah denotes a binding sworn commitment, and in other contexts the curse or cursing attached to such a declaration.
The term most often marks a binding sworn commitment, including commitments joined with a covenant or laid upon a person. It also denotes the written or enacted curse attached to such commitments, and appears in contexts of cursing or becoming an object of curse.
Senses in use
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Binding sworn commitment · dominant
The singular noun marks a commitment imposed, made, heard, or violated: in 1 Kings 8:31 the APB renders a man being made to swear before the altar, while in Ezekiel 17:18 it renders the ruler as having despised the commitment and broken the covenant. Genesis 26:28 places the term between parties who propose making a covenant, and Genesis 24:41 speaks of release from a master's commitment.
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Curse stipulated or brought upon people · common
The term can name a curse expressed in written stipulations or brought upon those under judgment. In Deuteronomy 29:20 the APB renders every such item written in the scroll as resting upon the offender; Numbers 5:23 renders plural forms written in a document, and Daniel 9:11 describes what was written in Moses' instruction as poured out because of sin.
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Cursing or becoming an object of curse · occasional
In judgment and speech contexts, the singular noun occurs where the APB renders a curse, cursing, or an object of cursing. Isaiah 24:6 describes a curse consuming the earth; Jeremiah 42:18 says the addressed people will become an oath, horror, curse, and reproach; Psalm 10:7 places the term in a mouth filled with cursing, deceit, and oppression.
In the Anselm Paraphrase: The APB commonly renders the term with “oath” in commitment clauses, but uses “curse,” “cursing,” or related wording in judgment contexts. Because the paraphrase is not word-aligned, these renderings confirm the verse-level setting rather than fixing a separate English equivalent in every occurrence.