← H1983 H1985 →

הָלַל

𐤄𐤋𐤋

hâlal

H1984 verb

SILEX Entry

Root הלל to shine, to praise, to boast

Definition

To shine, emit light or radiance; by extension, to praise, exult, or boast, either in a positive sense (extolling someone or something) or negatively (arrogant boasting, self-glorification); in poetic or ecstatic contexts, to act in a way perceived as foolish or mad. The verb primarily describes making an object or person conspicuous, drawing attention by words or actions. Its use encompasses both literal brightness and metaphorical ascription of value or greatness.

Semantic Range

to shine, emit light, be radiant; to praise or extol, celebrate; to boast, vaunt oneself, make a show; to act madly or foolishly, rave; to be renowned, make famous; to act in a way that draws attention (positively or negatively)

Root / Etymology

Root: הלל. The root הלל originally conveys the sense of shining, radiance, or being clear/bright, likely derived from physical descriptions of light or clarity. The verb evolves metaphorically to denote acts of praising—making someone or something exalted, prominent, or manifestly celebrated. The intensive forms (piel and hiphil stems) develop secondary senses of boasting or self-glory, and by further extension, of acting foolishly or frenetically (as in raving or appearing mad). In some forms, it can carry both positive and negative connotations depending on the context.

Historical & Contextual Notes

הָלַל appears frequently in poetic and liturgical texts, especially in Psalms, where its use commonly denotes praising the deity, people, or deeds. In earlier Israelite literature, the root more often conveys radiant attributes or boasting, which may be neutral or negative depending on the object; in wisdom literature (e.g., Proverbs), it can refer to empty or arrogant self-aggrandizement. In prophetic contexts, the word can indicate either foolishness or misguided ostentation. English translations often narrow הָלַל to 'praise,' but its range in Hebrew is broader, accommodating celebration, clamor, boast, or frenzied behavior. The association with 'foolishness' or 'madness' arises when exuberant praise or ecstatic worship is viewed as excessive or irrational by outsiders (e.g., 1 Samuel 21:14). There is a distinct but etymologically unrelated homonym הלל (H1966) for the morning star (Lucifer in some traditions). In later usage, especially in Hellenistic and Roman-period texts, the word's association with formal liturgical praise becomes dominant.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make ashow, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively, to celebrate; also to stultify; (make) boast (self), celebrate, commend, (deal, make), fool(-ish, -ly), glory, give (light), be (make, feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, (sing, be worthy of) praise, rage, renowned, shine.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

הלל (h-l-l) — to shine, to praise, to boast

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1947 הוֹלֵלָה acts of folly
H1948 הוֹלֵלוּת reckless foolishness
H1966 הֵילֵל shining one
H1974 הִלּוּל festal rejoicings
H1985 הִלֵּל Praise-One

Word Forms

66 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1984-10 הַֽלְל֖וּ halelu HVpv2mp Praise Extol! 34
H1984-11 הַֽלְל֗וּ/הוּ haleluhu HVpv2mp/Sp3ms Praise Him Extol him 16
H1984-22 לְ/הַלֵּ֣ל lehalel HR/Vpc to praise to extol in praise 9
H1984-57 יְהַֽלְל֣וּ yehalelu HVpi3mp let them praise they extol 7
H1984-64 יִתְהַלֵּ֥ל yitehalel HVtj3ms boast let him boast himself 6
H1984-42 וַ/יְהַֽלְל֥וּ vayehalelu HC/Vpw3mp and they praised and they extolled 4
H1984-37 וּ/מְהֻלָּ֣ל umehulal HC/VPsmsa and-praised and praised 4
H1984-45 בְ/הַלֵּל֙ vehalel HR/Vpc and praising to extol 3
H1984-01 אֲהַלֵּ֪ל ahalel HVpi1cs I will praise I will extol 3
H1984-33 תִּתְהַלֵּ֣ל titehalel HVtj3fs boast may she boast herself 3

Occurrences in Scripture

165 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1984-42 Genesis 12:15 וַ/יְהַֽלְל֥וּ vayehalelu HC/Vpw3mp praised and they extolled
H1984-42 Judges 16:24 וַֽ/יְהַלְל֖וּ vayehalelu HC/Vpw3mp and they praised and they extolled
H1984-44 1 Samuel 21:14 וַ/יִּתְהֹלֵ֖ל vayiteholel HC/Vrw3ms and he acted insanely and he boasted himself
H1984-22 2 Samuel 14:25 לְ/הַלֵּ֣ל lehalel HR/Vpc to praise to extol in praise
H1984-27 2 Samuel 22:4 מְהֻלָּ֖ל mehulal HVPsmsa worthy to be praised much-praised one
H1984-64 1 Kings 20:11 יִתְהַלֵּ֥ל yitehalel HVtj3ms boast let him boast himself
H1984-54 Isaiah 13:10 יָהֵ֖לּוּ yahelu HVhi3mp give light they will cause to shine
H1984-56 Isaiah 38:18 יְהַלְלֶ֑/ךָּ yehalelekha HVpi3ms/Sp2ms praise You he will extol you
H1984-32 Isaiah 41:16 תִּתְהַלָּֽל titehalal HVti2ms will glory you will boast yourself
H1984-60 Isaiah 44:25 יְהוֹלֵ֑ל yeholel HVpi3ms makes fools he makes a show
← H1983 Hebrew Lexicon H1985 →