סֶֽלָה
𐤎𐤋𐤄
çelâh
Selah
A liturgical or musical marker occurring in psalms and poetry, most often indicating a pause, interlude, or a musical direction within the performance or recitation of the text. Its precise function remains debated, but it is generally considered to signal a break for reflection, musical accompaniment, or a change in musical or vocal delivery.
Psalms 39:6 · Word #14
Lexicon H5542
| Lemma | סֶלָה |
| Lemma (Paleo) | 𐤎𐤋𐤄 |
| Transliteration | çelâh |
| Strong's | H5542 |
| Definition | A liturgical or musical marker occurring in psalms and poetry, most often indicating a pause, interlude, or a musical direction within the performance or recitation of the text. Its precise function remains debated, but it is generally considered to signal a break for reflection, musical accompaniment, or a change in musical or vocal delivery. |
Morphology HTj
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | T — Particle — Function word |
| Subtype | |
Common Translation
| Phrase | Selah |
SIBI-P1 Translation H5542-01
Lift-up pause
| Morphological Notes | Particle, interjection; fixed liturgical or musical marker with no inflection for gender or number. |
| Rendering Rationale | This rendering reflects the likely root sense of lifting or exalting while aligning with its established function as a musical or liturgical pause. As a fixed interjectional particle, it signals a raised or heightened break within poetic performance. |
View full lexicon entry for H5542 →
SILEX v2