עָלַז (a.laz)
a.laz
to exult
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 13 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb ‘alaz describes a lively, often vocal expression of joy or triumph. It is not a quiet satisfaction but an energetic celebration, frequently associated with feasting, victory, or divine deliverance. In the Old Testament, this word appears thirteen times, with significant usage in the Psalms, Jeremiah, and Zephaniah.
Its meaning shifts slightly depending on context. In celebratory settings like Psalm 104:15, it refers to wine that makes hearts glad, suggesting a physical and emotional uplift. However, in prophetic books such as Jeremiah 6:15 and Zephaniah 3:11, it takes on a sharper edge. Here, the word describes those who exult over Israel’s shame or disaster, highlighting a malicious joy in others’ suffering. This contrast shows that ‘alaz can denote either holy rejoicing in God’s goodness or arrogant gloating in judgment.
Translators typically render ‘alaz as "exult," "rejoice," or "triumph." The choice depends on whether the subject is praising God or mocking enemies. This distinction preserves the word’s intensity, ensuring readers understand that biblical joy is not passive but actively expressed through speech and action.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word alaz describes a joy that is loud, active, and impossible to keep inside. It is not a quiet contentment but an energetic celebration, often expressed through singing, shouting, or feasting. When the Bible uses this term for believers, it points to a deep relief found in God’s deliverance. Like David in Psalm 28, we find that trusting in the Lord transforms our inner strength into outward praise.
However, this word also carries a warning. In prophetic texts, alaz describes those who gloat over the suffering of others. This malicious joy stands in sharp contrast to the holy rejoicing found in Psalm 149, where saints celebrate God’s honor with gladness. The text invites us to examine the source of our excitement. Are we celebrating God’s faithfulness, or are we taking pleasure in the downfall of others?
Ultimately, this word calls us to align our hearts with divine joy. Habakkuk models this perfectly by choosing to rejoice in Yahweh even when circumstances are difficult. We are invited to let our gratitude overflow into action, ensuring that our celebrations reflect God’s character rather than our own pride.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 13 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you will rejoice1×
- you are gloating1×
- will they exult1×
- to/ exult1×
- they should exult1×
- they may celebrate1×
- so/ they may rejoice1×
- let them exult1×
- let it exult1×
- and/ it exulted1×
- and/ exult1×
- and/ I rejoiced1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תַּעֲלֹֽזִי\׃1×
- תַּעֲלֹ֖זְנָה1×
- תַֽעֲלְז֔וּ1×
- לַ/עְל֑וֹז1×
- יַעֲלֹֽזוּ\׃1×
- יַעֲלֹ֣ז1×
- יַעֲלֹ֔זוּ1×
- יַעְלְז֣וּ1×
- וָֽ/אֶעְלֹ֑ז1×
- וַ/יַּעֲלֹ֥ז1×
- וְ/תַעְלֹ֥זְנָה1×
- וְ/עָלְזִי֙1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 28:7
Yahweh is my strength and my shield. My heart has trusted in him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart greatly rejoices. With my song I will thank him.
This verse links personal trust in God directly to the energetic rejoicing described by the word, showing that faith fuels active praise.
-
Jeremiah 50:11
“Because you are glad, because you rejoice, O you who plunder my heritage, because you are wanton as a heifer that treads out the grain, and neigh as strong horses,
Here the word describes Babylon’s arrogant gloating over Judah’s fall, highlighting the dangerous nature of joy rooted in malice rather than God.
-
Habakkuk 3:18
yet I will rejoice in Yahweh. I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
The prophet uses this term to declare steadfast joy in God despite impending disaster, demonstrating that true exultation is independent of external circumstances.
-
Zephaniah 3:14
Sing, daughter of Zion! Shout, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem.
This call to the daughter of Zion combines shouting and rejoicing, illustrating the communal and vocal nature of holy celebration in God’s restoration.