הֻיְּדוֹת (huy.y.dah)
huy.y.dah
praise
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun huy.y.dah appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, found in Nehemiah 12:8. It refers specifically to songs of praise sung by the Levites during the dedication of Jerusalem’s walls. The word denotes a liturgical composition intended for communal worship rather than private reflection.
Its form suggests a plural construct, emphasizing a collection or series of hymns used in that specific ceremony. This rare term highlights the importance of music in restoring spiritual life after exile, marking a moment where community identity was reaffirmed through ordered praise.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word for praise here is not a casual expression of happiness but a structured liturgical act. In Nehemiah 12:8, it describes specific songs led by Levites like Mattaniah during the dedication of Jerusalem’s walls. This was public worship, designed to restore community identity after the trauma of exile.
For your faith today, this reminds us that praise is often a corporate discipline. It is something we do together, with order and intention, rather than just a private feeling. When life feels fragmented, joining in communal worship helps rebuild our spiritual foundations.
You do not need to be a trained musician to participate in this kind of praise. The text shows that ordinary leaders were set apart for this task. Your voice, offered in unity with others, contributes to the restoration and encouragement of the whole body.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- songs of thanksgiving1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הֻיְּד֖וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Nehemiah 12:8
Moreover the Levites were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, who was over the thanksgiving songs, he and his brothers.
This verse identifies Mattaniah as the leader over these specific thanksgiving songs, showing that praise was an organized ministry role within the restored community.