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ἀγαλλιάω

agalliáō

G21 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To exult, rejoice greatly, to be exuberantly glad. In the New Testament and related literature, ἀγαλλιάω conveys a demonstrative, often public, expression of intense joy or delight, frequently as a response to divine action, salvation, or blessing. The sense is stronger and more vivid than a simple inner joy, often implying an outward display or proclamation of jubilation.

Semantic Range

to exult, to be exuberantly glad, to rejoice greatly (often with implying outward demonstration), to show triumphant joy, to be filled with jubilation

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root ἀγαλ-, possibly related to agan (much, very) and a connection to ἅλλομαι ('to leap, spring'); thus conveying the idea of leaping or exuberantly rejoicing. While Strong's associates it with agan and ἅλλομαι, direct etymological evidence for this precise compound is limited; the word as used in Koine often acts as a formal verb from the related root, with less literal sense of leaping and more of overwhelming joy.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical literature, the simple verb ἀγαλλιάω is rare, with the noun ἀγαλλίαμα ('exultation, joy') being more common. In the Septuagint, ἀγαλλιάω often translates Hebrew verbs denoting exuberant rejoicing, particularly in worship or celebration of divine deliverance (e.g., Ps 9:14, Isa 61:10). In the New Testament, it describes both human responses to God's actions (e.g., Mary in the Magnificat: Lk 1:47) and eschatological rejoicing (e.g., Mt 5:12, 1 Pet 1:6, 1:8). The sense is stronger than χαίρω (to rejoice), with an emphasis on robust, overflowing gladness, sometimes coupled with expressions (verbal or physical) of celebration. English translations may render it as 'rejoice greatly,' 'exult,' or 'be exceeding glad,' but these can understate the emotional and demonstrative nature of the verb in its cultural context.

Translation Consistency

primary "rejoice" 7 occurrences

Rejoice is the most natural, widely used English verb that captures the intense, often public joy of ἀγαλλιάω. It fits the typical New Testament usage (jubilation in response to divine action) and will render naturally in all forms. The alternative 'exult' is accurate but more formal and less common in natural English speech and translation.

Alternatives (4 occurrences):
"exulted greatly" (1x) "filled with exultant joy" (1x) "exulting" (1x) "us exult" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from agan (much) and ἅλλομαι; properly, to jump for joy, i.e. exult:--be (exceeding) glad, with exceeding joy, rejoice (greatly).

Root Family

ἀγαλλιάω (agalliaō) — to exult, to rejoice greatly, to be exuberantly glad

Root ἀγαλ- to rejoice greatly, to exult

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G21-05 ἠγαλλιάσατο egalliasato V AOR MID IND 3P SG exulted he exulted himself he rejoiced himself 4
G21-01 ἀγαλλιᾶσθε agalliasthe V PRS MID IMP 2P PL be glad Exult greatly! Rejoice greatly, all of you! 3
G21-06 ἠγαλλίασεν egalliasen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG has rejoiced he/she exulted greatly exulted greatly 1
G21-04 ἀγαλλιώμενοι agalliomenoi V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL exulting exulting exulting 1
G21-03 ἀγαλλιῶμεν agalliomen V PRS ACT SUBJ 1P PL and be glad let us exult let us exult 1
G21-02 ἀγαλλιαθῆναι agalliathenai V AOR PASS INF to rejoice to be filled with exultant joy to be filled with exultant joy 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G21-01 Matthew 5:12 ἀγαλλιᾶσθε agalliasthe V PRS MID IMP 2P PL be glad Exult greatly! Rejoice greatly, all of you!
G21-06 Luke 1:47 ἠγαλλίασεν egalliasen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG has rejoiced he/she exulted greatly exulted greatly
G21-05 Luke 10:21 ἠγαλλιάσατο egalliasato V AOR MID IND 3P SG He rejoiced greatly he exulted himself he rejoiced himself
G21-02 John 5:35 ἀγαλλιαθῆναι agalliathenai V AOR PASS INF to rejoice to be filled with exultant joy to be filled with exultant joy
G21-05 John 8:56 ἠγαλλιάσατο egalliasato V AOR MID IND 3P SG rejoiced he exulted himself he rejoiced himself
G21-05 Acts 2:26 ἠγαλλιάσατο egalliasato V AOR MID IND 3P SG exulted he exulted himself he rejoiced himself
G21-05 Acts 16:34 ἠγαλλιάσατο egalliasato V AOR MID IND 3P SG he rejoiced greatly he exulted himself he rejoiced himself
G21-01 1 Peter 1:6 ἀγαλλιᾶσθε agalliasthe V PRS MID IND 2P PL you rejoice greatly Exult greatly! you rejoice greatly
G21-01 1 Peter 1:8 ἀγαλλιᾶσθε agalliasthe V PRS MID IND 2P PL you rejoice Exult greatly! Rejoice greatly, all of you!
G21-04 1 Peter 4:13 ἀγαλλιώμενοι agalliomenoi V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL exulting exulting exulting
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