or גִּילַת; feminine of גִּיל; joy; joy, rejoicing.
Transliteration:gîylâh
Pronunciation:ghee-law'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun gîylâh (`{{H1525}}`) is a feminine noun derived from the verbal root gîyl (`{{H1523}}`), which means "to rejoice, exult, shout for joy." At its core, gîylâh signifies a profound and often outwardly expressed sense of joy, exhilaration, or rejoicing. Its semantic range extends beyond mere gladness to encompass a more demonstrative, even boisterous, exultation. This joy is frequently associated with celebration, triumph, or a deep sense of relief and deliverance. It suggests a joy that is not merely internal but finds expression in song, shouts, or festive celebration, often in a communal context.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
While not among the most frequently occurring Hebrew words for joy, the appearances of gîylâh (`{{H1525}}`) are significant and illustrative:
* **[[Psalm 45:15]]**: "With gladness and rejoicing (וְגִילָה) they shall be led; they shall enter into the king's palace." Here, gîylâh is paired with śimḥâ (`{{H8057}}`, gladness) to describe the joyous procession of the bride and her companions into the king's palace. This context emphasizes a celebratory, public, and communal joy associated with a momentous and blessed event.
* **[[Isaiah 16:10]]**: "And gladness (שִׂמְחָה) is taken away, and joy (גִּילָה) from the plentiful field; and in the vineyards there shall be no singing, neither shall there be shouting." This prophetic lament uses gîylâh in parallel with śimḥâ to describe the cessation of festive agricultural celebrations due to divine judgment. The absence of gîylâh signifies desolation and the loss of the joyous sounds typically associated with harvest and vintage.
* **[[Jeremiah 48:33]]**: "And joy (וְגִילָה) and gladness (שִׂמְחָה) is taken from the fruitful field, and from the land of Moab; and I have caused the wine to fail from the winepresses; none shall tread with shouting; their shouting shall be no shouting." Echoing [[Isaiah 16:10]], this verse prophesies the removal of gîylâh from Moab as a consequence of divine judgment. The loss of gîylâh is directly linked to the cessation of the joyous sounds of the harvest, underscoring the severity of the impending desolation and the absence of divine blessing.
* **[[Hosea 9:1]]**: "Rejoice not, O Israel, with joy (בְּגִילָה), as other people: for thou hast gone a whoring from thy God, thou hast loved a reward upon every threshingfloor." This is a crucial passage, as it warns Israel *not* to rejoice with gîylâh like other nations. Their prosperity (implied by the threshingfloor) is presented as a result of their idolatry and unfaithfulness, not a genuine blessing from God. This highlights the concept of misplaced or inappropriate gîylâh, emphasizing that the source and object of joy are paramount in God's eyes.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **gîyl (`{{H1523}}`):** The verbal root from which gîylâh derives. It means "to rejoice, exult, shout for joy," indicating an active, often audible expression of joy. The noun captures the state or act of this exultation.
* **śimḥâ (`{{H8057}}`):** Meaning "joy, gladness," this word is frequently paired with gîylâh (e.g., [[Psalm 45:15]], [[Isaiah 16:10]], [[Jeremiah 48:33]]). While both denote joy, śimḥâ can be a more general term for gladness, whereas gîylâh often carries a stronger sense of exultation, celebration, or triumph, often with an audible component.
* **rānan (`{{H7442}}`):** "To shout for joy, rejoice, sing aloud." This verb shares with gîylâh the concept of an audible, often loud, expression of joy.
* **ṣāhal (`{{H6670}}`):** "To shout for joy, neigh." Another verb emphasizing the vocalization of joy, particularly in a triumphant or celebratory manner.
* **yālal (`{{H3213}}`):** "To wail, howl." This verb represents the antithesis of gîylâh, signifying lamentation and sorrow, often found in contexts where gîylâh has been removed.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of gîylâh (`{{H1525}}`) is multifaceted:
* **Divine Source of True Joy:** The contexts where gîylâh is removed (e.g., [[Isaiah 16:10]], [[Jeremiah 48:33]]) underscore that true, lasting gîylâh is ultimately contingent upon God's favor and presence. When God's blessing is withdrawn, even the most fundamental sources of earthly gîylâh (like harvest celebrations) vanish. Conversely, gîylâh can be a sign of divine blessing and covenant faithfulness.
* **Appropriate vs. Inappropriate Joy:** The prophetic warning in [[Hosea 9:1]] is profoundly significant. It teaches that not all gîylâh is righteous or acceptable to God. Joy that stems from unfaithfulness, idolatry, or a misapprehension of God's blessings is condemned. True gîylâh must originate from a right relationship with God and be directed towards Him.
* **Outward Expression of Inner State:** The very nature of gîylâh as an exultant, often shouted joy, highlights that biblical joy is not merely an internal emotion but frequently finds public, communal, and vocal expression. It is a joy that is too expansive to be contained.
* **Eschatological Hope:** While gîylâh appears in contexts of present experience and judgment, the broader concept of gîyl (the root verb) is often associated with future messianic and eschatological rejoicing (e.g., [[Isaiah 35:1-2]], [[Isaiah 65:18]]). This suggests that gîylâh ultimately points to the ultimate joy of God's redemptive work and the restoration of His people, where sorrow and sighing will be no more.
### Summary
Gîylâh (`{{H1525}}`) denotes a vibrant, often outwardly expressed joy, exultation, or rejoicing, frequently associated with celebration, triumph, or significant communal events. Derived from the verb gîyl (`{{H1523}}`), it conveys a more demonstrative form of gladness than the general śimḥâ (`{{H8057}}`), often implying shouting or singing. Its biblical occurrences reveal that while it describes natural human rejoicing, its presence or absence is deeply intertwined with divine blessing or judgment. The prophets portray the cessation of gîylâh as a sign of desolation, particularly in agricultural contexts. Furthermore, [[Hosea 9:1]] teaches that not all gîylâh is righteous, emphasizing that true and appropriate joy must be rooted in God and His covenant, rather than in worldly prosperity gained through unfaithfulness. Ultimately, gîylâh points to a joy that is both a gift from God and a proper response to His redemptive acts, often finding expression in communal celebration and praise, and looking forward to the ultimate joy of God's future kingdom.
TRV