ἀγαλλιάω (agalliaō)
agalliaō
to rejoice
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 11 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb agalliaō describes a joy that is intense and overflowing, far exceeding ordinary happiness. It conveys the idea of exulting or being exceedingly glad, often with a sense of public expression or deep spiritual delight. In the New Testament, this word appears in contexts where believers respond to God’s actions with profound celebration, such as when Mary praises God in Luke 1:47 or when early Christians rejoice despite suffering (1 Peter 1:6; 4:13).
Its root suggests abundance—agan means “much” or “exceedingly”—so the word carries a sense of overflowing gladness. Unlike quieter forms of joy, agalliaō often implies an outward, visible response to God’s faithfulness. Jesus uses it when He speaks of heavenly reward for those persecuted for His sake (Matthew 5:12), and John records that even the apostles rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit’s work (Acts 2:26). Translators typically render it “rejoice” or “exult,” capturing both the depth and the energy of the emotion.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word agalliaō points to a joy that overflows rather than stays contained. It is not a quiet satisfaction but an exuberant response to God’s character and actions. When Mary speaks of her spirit rejoicing in Luke 1:47, she expresses a deep, personal delight in the Savior who has come. This kind of joy does not depend on perfect circumstances but on who God is.
Even when trials come, this overflowing gladness remains possible. Peter writes that believers can rejoice greatly despite suffering because they share in Christ’s sufferings (1 Peter 4:13). The focus shifts from immediate comfort to future glory. This perspective allows Christians to find hope in hardship, trusting that God’s faithfulness outweighs present pain.
Jesus invites His followers to rejoice when persecuted, promising a great reward in heaven (Matthew 5:12). This joy is not denial of reality but a confident anticipation of God’s kingdom. It reminds us that our deepest gladness comes from knowing Him, not from avoiding difficulty. May this understanding encourage you to look for reasons to exult in your daily walk with God.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 11 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- rejoiced3×
- you yourself rejoice1×
- you greatly rejoice1×
- we may exult1×
- to rejoice1×
- rejoices1×
- exulting.1×
- do exult,1×
- He rejoiced1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἠγαλλιάσατο4×
- ἀγαλλιᾶσθε2×
- ἠγαλλίασεν1×
- ἀγαλλιῶμεν1×
- ἀγαλλιᾶσθε,1×
- ἀγαλλιώμενοι.1×
- ἀγαλλιαθῆναι1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 1:47
My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior,
Mary uses this word to express her personal, overflowing delight in God as her Savior, highlighting the intimate nature of this joy.
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Matthew 5:12
Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Jesus commands believers to rejoice when persecuted, linking this intense gladness to heavenly reward and continuity with the prophets.
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Acts 16:34
He brought them up into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly with all his household, having believed in God.
The Philippian jailer rejoices greatly after believing, demonstrating how this word describes the visible, communal response to faith.