שׂוּשׂ (su.s)
su.s
to rejoice
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 18 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb suś describes a deep, active rejoicing rather than a quiet contentment. It appears eighteen times in the Old Testament, with significant usage in Psalms and Isaiah. The word conveys an exultation that bursts forth from the heart, often triggered by God’s intervention or deliverance.
Its force is seen in contexts where joy is so intense it becomes visible or vocal. For instance, Psalm 126:5 uses it to describe those who sow in tears reaping with shouts of joy. This distinguishes it from more subdued terms for happiness, pointing instead to a celebratory response to divine faithfulness.
Translators typically render suś as "rejoice" or "exult," capturing its dynamic nature. The term emphasizes the outward expression of inner gladness, making it a favorite in songs of praise and prophetic visions of restoration.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word sus describes a joy that is active, visible, and often loud. It is not a quiet satisfaction but an exultation that bursts forth when God acts on behalf of His people. This kind of rejoicing is deeply rooted in the reality of divine faithfulness, whether it is found in personal salvation or national restoration.
When you read passages like Psalm 126:5, which speaks of sowing in tears and reaping with shouts of joy, you see how this word captures the shift from sorrow to celebration. It reminds us that our hope is not abstract but grounded in God’s tangible interventions. This joy is a response to what He has done, making it a powerful witness to those around us.
In your own life, this concept invites you to look for moments where God’s goodness breaks through difficulty. It encourages an outward expression of inner gladness, turning private gratitude into public praise. This active rejoicing strengthens the community and points others toward the source of true happiness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 18 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he will rejoice3×
- he rejoiced2×
- exult2×
- and/ I will rejoice2×
- to/ rejoice1×
- they will rejoice/ !1×
- they rejoiced1×
- they exult1×
- so/ it may rejoices1×
- rejoice1×
- it will exult1×
- certainly <to rejoice>1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שִׂ֤ישׂוּ2×
- תָּ֝שִׂישׂ1×
- שָׂ֨שׂ1×
- שָׂ֣שׂ1×
- שָׂ֖שׂ1×
- שָׂ֔שׂוּ1×
- שַׂ֗שְׂתִּי1×
- שִׂ֤ישִׂי1×
- שׂ֧וֹשׂ1×
- לָ/שׂ֤וּשׂ1×
- יָשִׂ֨ישׂ1×
- יָשִׂ֥ישׂ1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 61:10
I will greatly rejoice in Yahweh! My soul will be joyful in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation. He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
The prophet declares he will greatly rejoice in Yahweh because God has clothed him with salvation and righteousness, linking the joy directly to divine provision.
-
Zephaniah 3:17
Yahweh, your God, is among you, a mighty one who will save. He will rejoice over you with joy. He will calm you in his love. He will rejoice over you with singing.
Here the word describes God’s own joyful response to His people, showing that rejoicing is not just human but also a reflection of God's love and presence.
-
Isaiah 62:5
For as a young man marries a virgin, so your sons will marry you. As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so your God will rejoice over you.
This passage compares God’s rejoicing over His people to a bridegroom’s joy, emphasizing the intimate and celebratory nature of this divine relationship.