The Greek word alalázō, represented by G214, comes from the root word for a shout or "halloo." It is defined as to vociferate, which by implication can mean to wail, or figuratively, to clang or tinkle. This word appears 2 times in 2 unique verses, highlighting its specific and impactful usage.
In the biblical text, G214 is used in two distinct ways. First, it describes a literal, audible expression of grief. In the home of the ruler of the synagogue, observers saw "the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly" Mark 5:38. Second, it is used figuratively to describe a metallic, clanging sound. Paul uses it in his discourse on charity, stating that without it, he is like "sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal" 1 Corinthians 13:1, signifying noise without substance.
Several related words clarify the contexts in which G214 is found:
- G2799 klaíō: to sob, i.e. wail aloud. This word appears directly alongside alalázō in Mark 5:38, where people "wept and wailed," emphasizing a scene of intense mourning.
- G2278 ēchéō: to make a loud noise, i.e. reverberate. Used in 1 Corinthians 13:1, it describes the "sounding" brass that, along with the "tinkling" cymbal, creates a picture of loud, empty noise.
- G2980 laléō: to talk, i.e. utter words. This is the verb for "speak" in 1 Corinthians 13:1, establishing that the "tinkling" sound is a metaphor for speech that lacks love.
- G1100 glōssa: the tongue; by implication, a language. The context for the "tinkling" cymbal in 1 Corinthians 13:1 is speaking with the "tongues" of men and of angels without charity.
The significance of G214 is revealed in its dual application, representing both profound human emotion and spiritual emptiness.
- A Sound of Human Sorrow: In Mark 5:38, to "wail" is to participate in the raw and public expression of grief and loss. The word captures the sound of a community in mourning, a key element of the "tumult" at the scene.
- A Symbol of Hollow Spirituality: In 1 Corinthians 13:1, the word's meaning shifts entirely. To "tinkle" like a cymbal is to produce a sound that is hollow, metallic, and meaningless. It serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual gifts, such as speaking in tongues, when they are exercised without the essential ingredient of love.
In summary, G214 is a specific verb that carries two powerful and contrasting meanings. It can denote the literal, vocal sound of deep human grief, as seen in the wailing mourners Mark 5:38. It can also serve as a figure of speech for meaningless, empty noise, like a "tinkling" cymbal, which represents spiritual acts performed without love 1 Corinthians 13:1. The word's meaning is therefore defined by its context, whether describing the depths of sorrow or the hollowness of lovelessness.
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