Lexical Summary
alats: To rejoice, exult, triumph
Original Word: עָלַץ
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: `alats
Pronunciation: ah-lats
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-lats')
KJV: be joyful, rejoice, triumph
NASB: exult, exults, rejoices, triumph
Word Origin: [a primitive root]
1. to jump for joy, i.e. exult
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
be joyful, rejoice, triumph
A primitive root; to jump for joy, i.e. Exult -- be joyful, rejoice, triumph.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. root
Definitionto rejoice, exult
NASB Translationexult (5), exults (1), rejoices (1), triumph (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
(Late Hebrew
id. (rare); Hiph`il Imperfect Ecclus 40:20; Assyrian
elêƒu,
exult; Sabean
joys CIS
iv, No. 197, 1. 5. 7; see also , ); —
Perfect3masculine singular 1 Samuel 2:1 my heart exulteth in ; Imperfect3masculine singular 1 Chronicles 16:32 the field exulteth; compare 3 feminine singular Proverbs 11:10 ("" ); 1 singular Psalm 9:3 (i.e. in ; + , "" ); 3 masculine plural Psalm 5:12 (in ; "" , ); Psalm 68:4 (+ , "" ); + Psalm 25:2 exult at me; Infinitive construct Proverbs 28:12 when the righteous exult.
Topical Lexicon
Semantic Range עָלַץ depicts exuberant rejoicing that wells up from within and finds audible or visible expression. It embraces gladness springing from victory, deliverance, worship, or the contemplation of God’s righteous rule. Unlike quieter terms for joy, this verb conveys unrestrained celebration—hearts, voices, earth, and even seas “exult.”
Biblical Distribution
The verb appears eight times, all in poetic or liturgical settings: Hannah’s song (1 Samuel 2:1), Davidic worship (1 Chronicles 16:32; Psalm 5:11; Psalm 9:2; Psalm 68:3), personal lament (Psalm 25:2), and wisdom reflections on civic life (Proverbs 11:10; Proverbs 28:12). The contexts move from individual to corporate, from human to creation, revealing the breadth of God-centered rejoicing.
Theology of Joy in Salvation
The first occurrence sets the tone. Hannah proclaims, “My heart exults in the LORD… for I rejoice in Your salvation” (1 Samuel 2:1). Joy is not self-generated but a response to the saving acts of God. Subsequent psalms echo this theme: “I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High” (Psalm 9:2). Salvation joy anticipates the fuller redemption unveiled in the Gospel, linking Old Testament worship with New Testament assurance (Luke 1:46-47; Philippians 4:4).
Corporate and Cosmic Worship
1 Chronicles 16:32 places עָלַץ in a creation hymn: “Let the sea resound… let the fields exult, and all that is in them.” The word summons every sphere—land, sea, nation—to celebrate YHWH’s kingship. Psalm 68:3 extends the invitation to “the righteous” who “exult with great joy,” illustrating the communal dimension of redemptive rejoicing that prefigures the eschatological throng in Revelation 19:6-7.
Social and Moral Implications
Proverbs applies עָלַץ to civic life. “When the righteous triumph, the city rejoices” (Proverbs 11:10). Public celebration over righteous leadership affirms that godliness benefits society. Conversely, Psalm 25:2 pleads, “Do not let my enemies exult over me,” showing that misplaced exultation—gloating in evil—invites divine redress. Righteous exultation glorifies God; unrighteous joy is fleeting and ultimately judged.
Messianic and Eschatological Overtones
The Old Testament uses of עָלַץ anticipate messianic victory. The imagery of creation exulting and the righteous rejoicing foreshadows the consummation when “creation itself will be set free” (Romans 8:21). Psalm 68, a triumphal procession psalm quoted in Ephesians 4:8, links earthly exultation to Christ’s ascension. Thus, every occurrence carries forward the hope of final, unending rejoicing in the reign of the Messiah.
Practical Application in Ministry
1. Worship Planning: Incorporate readings or songs that capture exuberant praise, reflecting the full-bodied joy of עָלַץ.
2. Counseling: Remind believers that true joy is rooted in God’s salvation, not circumstances (Psalm 9:2).
3. Community Engagement: Encourage public thanksgiving when righteousness advances—mirroring Proverbs 11:10—to testify of God’s goodness in civic life.
4. Preaching: Contrast righteous exultation with the fleeting glee of the wicked (Psalm 25:2; Proverbs 28:12) to call hearers to covenant faithfulness.
Key Passages for Study
1 Samuel 2:1; 1 Chronicles 16:32; Psalm 5:11; Psalm 9:2; Psalm 25:2; Psalm 68:3; Proverbs 11:10; Proverbs 28:12.
Forms and Transliterations
בַּעֲלֹ֣ץ בעלץ וְֽיַעְלְצ֥וּ וְאֶעֶלְצָ֣ה ואעלצה ויעלצו יַֽ֭עַלְצוּ יַֽעַלְצ֖וּ יַעֲלֹ֥ץ יעלץ יעלצו עָלַ֤ץ עלץ תַּעֲלֹ֣ץ תעלץ ‘ā·laṣ ‘ālaṣ aLatz ba‘ălōṣ ba·‘ă·lōṣ baaLotz ta‘ălōṣ ta·‘ă·lōṣ taaLotz veeelTzah veyaleTzu wə’e‘elṣāh wə·’e·‘el·ṣāh wə·ya‘·lə·ṣū wəya‘ləṣū ya‘ălōṣ ya‘alṣū ya·‘ă·lōṣ ya·‘al·ṣū yaaLotz yaalTzu
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