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עָלַץ

𐤏𐤋𐤑

ʻâlats

H5970 verb

SILEX Entry

Root עלץ to exult, to be jubilant, to display joy outwardly

Definition

To exult, be jubilant, or express exuberant joy, often with outward physical or verbal expression. The verb denotes an intense, often public, display of joy or triumph, sometimes associated with movement or loud rejoicing. Its use frequently marks a response to victory, deliverance, or divine favor, and it can encompass both individual and communal exultation.

Semantic Range

to exult, to be jubilant, to rejoice vigorously, to triumph, to celebrate victoriously, to show exuberant joy, to exult aloud

Root / Etymology

Root/Etymology: Derived from the root עלץ (A-L-Ts), meaning fundamentally 'to exult' or 'to be jubilant'. The root focuses on the outward, often exuberant expression of joy or triumph rather than mere inner feeling. There is no clear cognate in neighboring Semitic languages; the etymology is considered specifically Hebrew and well-attested only in Biblical Hebrew usage.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Historical & Contextual Notes: עָלַץ is attested primarily in poetic and liturgical contexts (such as Psalms and prophetic literature) and conveys particularly vivid expressions of joy, distinguished from related terms like שָׂמַח (samach, to rejoice, be glad) by its emphasis on outward jubilation and dynamic exultation. The verb is often linked with communal celebrations or personal triumph, as in responses to salvation or victory attributed to YHWH. Its usage is concentrated in First Temple and exilic poetry, with few appearances in narrative prose. While later English translations sometimes render the term as 'rejoice' or 'triumph,' these can flatten the sense of exuberant action implied by the Hebrew. Early translation traditions (e.g., the Septuagint) often use forms of Greek ἀγαλλιάω (agalliaō, to exult) for עָלַץ, reflecting the nuance of outward, demonstrative joy. In contrast to שָׂמַח (samach), which can indicate both quiet gladness and celebratory joy, עָלַץ consistently implies vigorous or expressive rejoicing. No anachronistic nationalist or religious identity is specifically encoded by the term, and its use is not restricted to any single Israelite period, though the poetic context is typical.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to jump for joy, i.e. exult; be joyful, rejoice, triumph.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עלץ (ʿ-l-ṣ) — exultation, jubilation, outward triumphant joy

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H5951 עֲלִיצוּת their jubilant exultation

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5970-06 יַֽעַלְצ֖וּ yaaletsu HVqj3mp let them rejoice may they exult 2
H5970-05 וְֽ/יַעְלְצ֥וּ veyaeletsu HC/Vqi3mp and-they-will-exult and they will exult 1
H5970-03 תַּעֲלֹ֣ץ taalots HVqi3fs rejoices she exults 1
H5970-04 וְ/אֶעֶלְצָ֣ה veeeletsah HC/Vqh1cs and exult and let me exult 1
H5970-02 בַּ/עֲלֹ֣ץ baalots HR/Vqc when the righteous rejoice to exult 1
H5970-01 עָלַ֤ץ alats HVqp3ms exults he exulted 1
H5970-07 יַעֲלֹ֥ץ yaalots HVqi3ms let exult he will exult 1

Occurrences in Scripture

8 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5970-01 1 Samuel 2:1 עָלַ֤ץ alats HVqp3ms exults he exulted
H5970-05 Psalms 5:12 וְֽ/יַעְלְצ֥וּ veyaeletsu HC/Vqi3mp and-they-will-exult and they will exult
H5970-04 Psalms 9:3 וְ/אֶעֶלְצָ֣ה veeeletsah HC/Vqh1cs and exult and let me exult
H5970-06 Psalms 25:2 יַֽעַלְצ֖וּ yaaletsu HVqj3mp let them rejoice may they exult
H5970-06 Psalms 68:4 יַֽ֭עַלְצוּ yaaletsu HVqi3mp will exult may they exult
H5970-03 Proverbs 11:10 תַּעֲלֹ֣ץ taalots HVqi3fs rejoices she exults
H5970-02 Proverbs 28:12 בַּ/עֲלֹ֣ץ baalots HR/Vqc when the righteous rejoice to exult
H5970-07 1 Chronicles 16:32 יַעֲלֹ֥ץ yaalots HVqi3ms let exult he will exult
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