הָלַל (ha.lal)
ha.lal
to shine; to boast: praise; to be foolish; to boast: boast; to boast: rave madly
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 112 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb halal carries a dual nature that bridges light and noise. In its basic sense it means to shine, often used metaphorically for God’s favor or as a flash of light. Yet in its most common biblical usage it shifts toward vocal expression, meaning to praise, boast, or even rave madly. This semantic range connects the brilliance of divine glory with the clamor of human response.
The distinction between holy praise and empty boasting hinges on the recipient. When directed toward God, as seen frequently in Psalms, halal describes joyful acclaim for His character. However, when applied to humans or idols, it can denote foolish pride or self-exaltation. Translators often render this tension with words like "praise" or "boast," depending on whether the context honors the Creator or elevates the creature.
This word appears over a hundred times in Scripture, particularly in Psalms and Chronicles. Its presence highlights a key theological point: true praise is not merely loud noise but an acknowledgment of worthiness. The sources note that while the root implies shining, the verbal forms emphasize the outburst of acclaim, whether sincere or foolish.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word halal carries a rich tension between shining light and loud noise. At its root, it means to shine, evoking the brilliance of God’s glory. Yet in common usage, it describes the clamor of praise or even foolish boasting. This duality reminds us that true worship is not just volume; it is an acknowledgment of worthiness directed toward the Creator.
When we offer praise, we join a long line of believers who have celebrated God’s character. Whether through quiet gratitude or joyful song, our voices reflect His light. The Bible warns against boasting in ourselves, but invites us to boast in the Lord. This shift from self to God transforms noise into meaningful worship.
In your daily life, consider where your praise flows. Is it focused on fleeting achievements or on the One who sustains you? Let your words shine with truth and honor. May your heart find rest in knowing that God values sincere acclaim over empty performance.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 112 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- praise35×
- praise/ him15×
- to/ praise9×
- and/ they praised5×
- let them praise3×
- and/ to/ praise3×
- and/ [is] to be praised3×
- with/ praising2×
- he makes look foolish2×
- he boasts2×
- boast2×
- you will boast1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַֽלְלוּ\־15×
- הַ֥לְלוּ8×
- הַֽ֭לְלוּ/הוּ4×
- הַֽ֝לְל֗וּ/הוּ4×
- לְ/הַלֵּ֣ל3×
- הַֽ֝לְל֗וּ/הוּ3×
- הַֽלְל֣וּ3×
- לְ/הַלֵּל֙2×
- יְהַֽלְל֣וּ2×
- וּֽ/מְהַֽלְלִ֖ים2×
- וּ/מְהֻלָּ֣ל2×
- וּ/לְ/הַלֵּ֔ל2×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 16:25
For great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised. He also is to be feared above all gods.
This verse explicitly states that Yahweh is 'greatly to be praised,' establishing the standard for how His greatness warrants public acclaim.
-
II Samuel 14:25
Now in all Israel there was no one to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty. From the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no defect in him.
Here the word describes Absalom’s beauty being praised, illustrating the negative connotation of human self-exaltation rather than divine worship.
-
I Chronicles 25:3
Of Jeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied in giving thanks and praising Yahweh with the harp.
Jeduthun is noted for prophesying while praising with harps, linking musical worship with spiritual insight and devotion.
-
Genesis 12:15
The princes of Pharaoh saw her, and praised her to Pharaoh; and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house.
The princes praised Sarah to Pharaoh, showing how the word can apply to admiring human attributes in a secular context.