ἀλαλάζω

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

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.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

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.

Related Words & Concepts

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.

Theological Significance

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.

Summary

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.