HALLELUJAH

'Hallelujah', 'Halleluyah', or 'Alleluia', is a transliteration of the Hebrew word הַלְלוּיָהּ (Standard ''Halləluya'', Tiberian ''Halləlûyāh'') meaning "[Let us] praise (הַלְּלוּ)." It is found mainly in the book of Psalms. The word is used in Judaism as part of the Hallel prayers, and in Christian praise. It has been accepted into the English language, but its Latin form 'Alleluia' is used by many English-speaking Christians in preference to Hallelujah.
The word hallelujah mentioned in Psalms is the Hebrew word for requesting a congregation to join in praise. "Hallel" means to recite praise, "hallelu" is the plural form. The grammatical extension "yah" is a way of expressing magnanimity^[1], hence halleluyah means "a great praise."
There are other ways of interpreting this word, as the Hebrew language does include the possibility for many meanings in the same word; thus it can also be understood to mean "Praise (הַלְּלוּ) the (יָהּ) or God." This interpretation comes from the idea that the suffix "-yah" could be a shortened form of the name "Yahweh/Jehovah," although this would make it an exception, and not typical of standard Hebrew.^[2]
For most Christians, "Hallelujah" is considered the most joyful word of praise to God, rather than an injunction to praise Him. In many denominations, the Alleluia, along with the Gloria in Excelsis Deo, is not spoken or sung in liturgy during the season of Lent, instead being replaced by a Lenten acclamation.
The term is used 24 times in the Hebrew Bible (mainly in the book of Psalms (e.g. , , where it starts and concludes a number of Psalms) and four times in Greek transliteration in Revelation.

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See also

References

See also

★ Hallel

★ Alhamdulillah

References

1. For example "merchav" means space, "merchavyah" means a vast space (Psalms 118:5); "shalhevet" means flame, "shalhevetyah" means a colossal flame (Song of Songs 8:10).
2. Sources: Midrash Talpiyot; and Pesachim 117a.