ἀλληλουϊα (allēlouia)
allēlouia
hallelujah
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The exclamation allēlouia is a direct borrowing from Hebrew, combining the imperative "praise" with the shortened name of God, Yahweh. In the New Testament, it appears exclusively in Revelation 19:1-6, marking the climactic celebration of heaven after the fall of Babylon. The word functions as a communal shout of adoration rather than a descriptive theological term.
Its usage traces back to the Hebrew Psalms, particularly Psalm 150, where it serves as the concluding refrain for the entire collection. By placing this phrase in John’s vision, the text connects the heavenly worship directly to the Old Testament tradition of praising God for His righteous judgments and sovereign power.
Translators retain the original form rather than translating it as "praise the Lord" to preserve its liturgical weight. This choice highlights the word’s role as a universal cry of joy across languages, signaling a moment of divine victory that transcends cultural boundaries within the Christian narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word allēlouia is a direct borrowing from Hebrew, combining the command to praise with the sacred name of God. In the New Testament, it appears exclusively in Revelation 19, marking the climactic celebration of heaven after the fall of Babylon. It functions as a communal shout of adoration rather than a descriptive theological term, connecting heavenly worship directly to the Old Testament tradition found in Psalms like Psalm 150.
Translators retain this original form to preserve its liturgical weight and universal joy. When you encounter this cry in Scripture, it signals a moment of divine victory that transcends cultural boundaries. It invites us to join the great multitude in heaven, acknowledging that salvation, power, and glory belong to our God.
This ancient shout reminds us that praise is not just a response to comfort, but an affirmation of God's righteous judgments and sovereign rule. Whether in times of triumph or waiting, we can join this eternal chorus, trusting in the One who reigns as Almighty.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Hallelujah!4×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἁλληλουϊά·3×
- ἁλληλουϊά.¶1×
Key Verses
-
Revelation of John 19:1
After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Hallelujah! Salvation, power, and glory belong to our God;
This verse introduces the word as a loud voice from a great multitude, linking praise directly to salvation and power.
-
Revelation of John 19:4
The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne, saying, “Amen! Hallelujah!”
Here the elders and living creatures fall down in worship, showing how this cry accompanies physical acts of reverence before God's throne.
-
Revelation of John 19:6
I heard something like the voice of a great multitude, and like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of mighty thunders, saying, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns!
The final occurrence connects the shout to the voice of many waters and mighty thunders, emphasizing God's sovereign reign as the Almighty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does allēlouia mean?
Where does this word appear in the New Testament?
Why is it not translated as 'praise the Lord'?
How is it different from general words for praise?
Every Occurrence (4 verses across 1 books)
Revelation of John 4 verses
After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Hallelujah! Salvation,…
Revelation of John 19:3A second said, “Hallelujah! Her smoke goes up forever and ever.”
Revelation of John 19:4The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne, saying, “Amen!…
Revelation of John 19:6I heard something like the voice of a great multitude, and like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of mighty…