ἀλαλάζω
alalázō
G214 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To cry out loudly, to make a resounding or piercing shout or loud noise; in literary and figurative contexts, to wail or utter a lament with strong emotion; in some cases, to make a bright, ringing, or clanging sound, especially pertaining to metallic objects. The word can denote both human and nonhuman sounds, depending on context—such as battle cries, lamentations, or clanging noises.
Semantic Range
cry out loudly, shout in battle, utter a lament, wail, make a loud or piercing sound, clang (of metal), ring (characteristic sound of inanimate object)
Root / Etymology
From the root ἀλαλ- (alal-), a reduplication echoing loud, nonverbal sounds (onomatopoeic origin), related to ἄλαλα (alala), 'a war cry' or 'shout'. The verb formation reflects Greek patterns for vocal utterances or noises.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ἀλαλάζω often described the loud, emotional cries associated with warriors (a battle cry, especially the onomatopoeic ‘alala’ of Greek hoplites in battle) or lamenting figures (public mourning). The word carries overtones of both exuberant shouting in contexts of war and ritual, and intense, sometimes disorderly lamentation. In literature, it can be either triumphant or mournful based on the setting. In the Septuagint, the term is used for both human lament (wailing, as at a funeral) and for nonhuman sounds, sometimes translated as a 'clang' or 'tinkle' (e.g., the sound of metal). In the New Testament (1 Corinthians 13:1), it appears in a figurative sense, describing a 'clanging' or empty sound, contrasting with meaningful speech or action. Standard English translations (such as 'tinkle', 'clang', 'wail') capture aspects of its range, but not always the emotive or ritual aspects present in Greek sources. The semantic range includes both vocal and inanimate noise, and thus covers a broader field than most English equivalents.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ( a shout, "halloo"); to vociferate, i.e. (by implication) to wail; figuratively, to clang:--tinkle, wail.
Root Family
ἀλαλάζω (alalazō) — cry out, shout, wail, clang, resound
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G214-01 |
ἀλαλάζον | alalazon | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM N SG |
clanging | shouting loudly | 1 |
G214-02 |
ἀλαλάζοντας | alalazontas | V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M PL |
wailing | crying out loudly | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G214-02 |
Mark 5:38 | ἀλαλάζοντας | alalazontas | V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M PL |
wailing | crying out loudly |
G214-01 |
1 Corinthians 13:1 | ἀλαλάζον | alalazon | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM N SG |
clanging | shouting loudly |