a primitive root; to howl (with a wailing tone) or yell (with a boisterous one); (make to) howl, be howling.
Transliteration:yâlal
Pronunciation:yaw-lal'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root H3213 (יָלַל, *yâlal*) is a primitive verb signifying a loud, often unarticulated cry. Its semantic range encompasses both a deep, mournful "howling" or "wailing" and a more boisterous "yelling" or "shouting." The core meaning points to a visceral, primal sound expressing intense emotion, typically distress, sorrow, or fear. It is distinct from articulate speech or prayer, often representing a raw, desperate outcry. The nuance of "wailing" suggests lamentation and grief, while "yelling" can imply alarm, despair, or even a cry of pain.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb H3213 appears predominantly in the prophetic books of the Old Testament, frequently in contexts of divine judgment, national calamity, and impending destruction. Its usage often serves to describe the desperate cries of a people or city facing overwhelming disaster.
* In [[Isaiah 13:6]], the command "Howl, for the day of the LORD is near!" is directed at the inhabitants of Babylon, signaling the imminence of God's devastating judgment. Here, *yâlal* denotes a cry of terror and despair in the face of divine wrath.
* [[Jeremiah 4:8]] exhorts the people of Judah, "For this, put on sackcloth, lament and howl," as a response to the impending invasion and destruction. This usage combines *yâlal* with other expressions of mourning, indicating a call to repentance and deep sorrow.
* [[Hosea 7:14]] presents a critical distinction: "They do not cry to me from the heart, but they howl on their beds." Here, the howling is depicted as a superficial or self-serving lament, lacking genuine contrition or a sincere turning to God. It highlights a performative sorrow rather than true repentance.
* [[Zephaniah 1:11]] issues a direct command: "Howl, O inhabitants of Maktesh! For all the people of Canaan are undone; all those who weigh out silver are cut off." This prophetic utterance foretells the economic and social collapse that will accompany God's judgment, with howling being the appropriate response to such devastation.
* The word is also used in [[Ezekiel 21:12]] (MT 21:17) in the context of the prophet being commanded to "cry out and wail, son of man," embodying the lament for Israel's coming judgment. This demonstrates the prophet's identification with the suffering of the people and the gravity of the message.
Across these occurrences, H3213 consistently portrays a profound, often public, expression of agony, fear, or lament, almost always in response to calamitous circumstances, particularly those brought about by divine intervention.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of H3213 overlaps with several other Hebrew terms related to vocal expressions of distress or sorrow:
* `{{H1058}}` (bāḵâ): "to weep," often implying tears and a less primal sound than *yâlal*.
* `{{H5091}}` (nāhâ): "to wail, lament," often used for professional mourners or formal lamentations, sometimes with a more rhythmic quality than *yâlal*. Its noun form, `{{H5092}}` (nəhî), means "lamentation."
* `{{H7015}}` (ṣāʿaq): "to cry out, call for help," a more general term for a loud cry, which can be for help or in distress.
* `{{H1993}}` (hāmâ): "to make a noise, roar, groan," often describing the sound of a crowd or the sea, or deep internal groaning.
* `{{H6963}}` (qôl): "voice, sound," a general term that can encompass loud cries.
Conceptually, H3213 is closely tied to themes of:
* **Lamentation and Mourning:** A public display of grief and sorrow.
* **Despair and Helplessness:** The realization of one's inability to avert disaster.
* **Divine Judgment:** The inevitable consequence of sin and rebellion, eliciting such cries.
* **Prophetic Warning:** The prophet's role in announcing impending doom and eliciting a response of lament.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H3213 lies primarily in its role as a powerful, visceral indicator of human response to divine judgment and overwhelming calamity.
1. **Consequence of Sin:** The frequent association of "howling" with the day of the Lord or national destruction underscores that such cries are the natural, agonizing outcome of a people's rebellion against God. It is a physical manifestation of spiritual brokenness and the painful consequences of turning away from divine covenant.
2. **Expression of Despair:** Yâlal vividly portrays the utter despair and helplessness of humanity when faced with the full weight of God's wrath or insurmountable suffering. It's a cry that transcends words, born from a place of deep anguish and a recognition of lost hope.
3. **Call to Repentance (and its absence):** While often a descriptor of judgment's effect, the prophetic command to "howl" can also serve as a call to genuine lament and repentance. However, as seen in Hosea, the *nature* of the howling matters; a superficial, self-serving cry is contrasted with a heartfelt turning to God, highlighting the necessity of true spiritual engagement.
4. **Authenticity of Prophetic Message:** When prophets themselves are commanded to yâlal, it imbues their message with an emotional weight and authenticity, demonstrating that they too feel the pain and gravity of the judgments they pronounce. It underscores the severity and certainty of the coming events.
5. **Contrast with Divine Sovereignty:** The loud, desperate cries of humanity stand in stark contrast to the quiet, unwavering resolve of God's justice. While humans howl in their distress, God's plan unfolds with sovereign certainty.
### Summary
H3213 (יָלַל, *yâlal*) is a primitive Hebrew root meaning "to howl" or "to yell," encompassing both mournful wailing and boisterous cries of distress. Predominantly found in prophetic literature, it describes the raw, visceral response to divine judgment and overwhelming calamity. Contextual analysis reveals its association with national destruction, the despair of a people, and the urgency of prophetic warnings. Theologically, *yâlal* serves as a powerful indicator of the painful consequences of sin, a vivid expression of human despair in the face of divine wrath, and sometimes a call to genuine lament. It underscores the profound suffering that results from a turning away from God, contrasting superficial cries with true repentance, and highlighting the solemnity of God's unfolding justice.
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