In a military context, aluff can refer to a commander of any rank, from a general to a company commander. The term is often used to refer to a commander of a unit that is larger than a company, such as a battalion or brigade.
Aluff is also used in the Bible to refer to the commander of the Israelite army, who was known as the "captain of the host." The captain of the host was responsible for leading the Israelite army into battle and for ensuring that it was properly trained and equipped.
In modern Hebrew, aluff is still used to refer to military commanders, as well as to other types of leaders. The term is also used as a title for senior officers in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). For example, the chief of staff of the IDF is known as the "rav aluf," which means "chief commander."