English · KJV
H1525

גִּילָה

gîylâh /ghee-law'/ Ask about this word
Rootor גִּילַת · feminine of גִּיל
Meaningjoy
KJV usagejoy, rejoicing.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of gîylâh — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word gîylâh, represented by H1525, is a feminine noun meaning joy or rejoicing. It is a rare term, appearing only 2 times in 2 unique verses. As the feminine form of H1523 gîyl, it conveys an intense and expressive state of gladness, often linked to divine action and restoration.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The two appearances of H1525 frame it as a result of God's glorious work. In the prophecy of a renewed creation, the desert will "rejoice even with joy and singing" as it witnesses the glory of the LORD Isaiah 35:2. Later, God declares His intent to "create Jerusalem a rejoicing," directly establishing the city itself as an object and source of joy, and its people a joy Isaiah 65:18.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the nature of this joy:

  • H1523 gîyl: The masculine root word, which means to spin around under violent emotion, and is usually translated as to rejoice or be joyful.
  • H4885 mâsôws: This word for joy or mirth is used in parallel with H1525, where God creates Jerusalem a "rejoicing" and her people a "joy" Isaiah 65:18.
  • H6524 pârach: Meaning to flourish or blossom, this word is used to describe the landscape that breaks forth with joy Isaiah 35:2.
  • H7444 rannên: Meaning singing or shouting for joy, it appears alongside H1525 to describe the audible expression of this gladness Isaiah 35:2.
  • H7797 sûws: A verb meaning to be bright or cheerful, it is used in the command to "be ye glad and rejoice for ever" in God's new creation Isaiah 65:18.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H1525 is concentrated in its connection to divine restoration.

  • Joy as a Creative Act: The term is presented not just as an emotion but as something God actively creates. He makes Jerusalem a "rejoicing," tying joy to the very identity of His restored people Isaiah 65:18.
  • A Response to God's Glory: This joy is a direct response to seeing the "glory of the LORD" and the "excellency of our God." It is the natural outcome of witnessing God's power transform the desolate into something that blossoms abundantly Isaiah 35:2.
  • Vocal and Flourishing Expression: Paired with words for flourishing and singing, gîylâh depicts a joy that is vibrant, vocal, and visible, like a desert bursting into bloom.

Summary

In summary, H1525 gîylâh provides a specific and powerful depiction of joy. While used infrequently, it is not merely a passing feeling but rather a state of being and an expressive celebration directly brought about by God's creative and restorative power. It signifies a profound gladness that erupts when God's glory is revealed in the world.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • גִּילָה
  • גִּילַת

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H1523 גִּיל or (by permutation) גּוּל; a primitive root; properly, to spin round (under the influence of any violent emotion), i.e. H4885 מָשׂוֹשׂ from שׂוּשׂ; delight, concretely (the cause or object) or abstractly (the feeling); joy, mirth, rejoice. H6524 פָּרַח a primitive root; to break forth as a bud, i.e. bloom; generally, to spread; specifically, to fly (as extending the wing H7444 רַנֵּן intensive from רָנַן; shouting (for joy); singing. H7797 שׂוּשׂ or שִׂישׂ; a primitive root; to be bright, i.e. cheerful; be glad, [idiom] greatly, joy, make mirth, rejoice.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

2 verses, all in Isaiah — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.