### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew adjective H5938 (ʻâlêz) is derived from the verbal root `{{H5937}}` (ʻâlaz), which conveys the sense of exulting, rejoicing, or triumphing. As a participle or adjective, H5938 describes one who is "exultant," "rejoicing," or "triumphant." Its semantic range encompasses a vibrant, often outward, expression of joy or elation. While the root `{{H5937}}` can describe legitimate, God-centered rejoicing (e.g., in His salvation or righteousness), H5938 in its specific biblical occurrences tends to carry a more negative connotation, frequently describing a worldly, self-centered, or misplaced exultation that often precedes judgment. It denotes a state of being overly joyful or triumphant in circumstances that are ultimately fleeting or sinful.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H5938 appears a limited number of times in the Old Testament, primarily within prophetic literature, where it consistently describes a problematic or condemned form of exultation.
In [[Isaiah 5:14]], it refers to the "revelers" or "those who exult" in Jerusalem, who, along with the city's nobility and multitude, will descend into Sheol. Here, H5938 is associated with wanton revelry and a life of indulgence, highlighting the spiritual emptiness and impending doom of those who find joy in such pursuits.
[[Isaiah 24:7]] and [[Isaiah 24:8]] use H5938 in the context of the earth's desolation and the cessation of its former mirth. [[Isaiah 24:7]] speaks of "all the merry-hearted" who sigh, indicating a past state of joy that has now been extinguished by divine judgment. [[Isaiah 24:8]] refers to the "noise of the revelers" (H5938) ceasing, underscoring the end of worldly celebration and the pervasive sorrow that replaces it. These verses paint a picture of a world whose superficial joy is brought to an abrupt halt.
[[Isaiah 32:13]] speaks of "all the houses of mirth in the exultant city." This "exultant city" (H5938) is depicted as facing desolation, with thorns and briers replacing its former sites of revelry. The exultation here is one of false security and pride, divorced from righteousness, leading to divine punishment.
Finally, [[Zephaniah 2:15]] powerfully applies H5938 to Nineveh, "the exultant city that lived securely, that said in her heart, 'I am, and there is no one else besides me'." This verse encapsulates the core negative usage of H5938: it describes a city characterized by arrogant self-sufficiency and a boastful, unholy exultation, believing itself invincible. This prideful joy is precisely what leads to its utter desolation, serving as a stark warning against hubris.
Across these occurrences, H5938 consistently portrays a joy that is rooted in worldly prosperity, revelry, or self-aggrandizement, rather than in God. It is a joy that blinds individuals and cities to their spiritual state and impending judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the verbal root `{{H5937}}` (ʻâlaz), from which H5938 is derived. While H5938 often carries a negative connotation in its specific occurrences, `{{H5937}}` can express both righteous joy (e.g., in God's salvation in [[Psalm 9:2]]) and unrighteous exultation (e.g., over an enemy). The adjectival form H5938 sharpens the focus to the *state* of being exultant, particularly in a context of misplaced or condemned joy.
Other Hebrew words expressing joy or gladness include:
* `{{H8055}}` (śāmēaḥ): A general term for being glad or joyful.
* `{{H7442}}` (rānān): To shout for joy, often with singing or vocal expression.
* `{{H1523}}` (gîl): To rejoice, often implying a leaping or spinning with joy.
* `{{H2302}}` (ḥādâ): To be glad or rejoice, often with an internal sense of pleasure.
The concept of H5938 is closely tied to themes of pride, arrogance, self-sufficiency, revelry, and the consequences of misplaced trust. It stands in stark contrast to the humble, God-fearing joy that is commended elsewhere in Scripture.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H5938 lies in its consistent portrayal of a joy that is inherently flawed and ultimately condemned by God. It serves as a prophetic warning against finding satisfaction, security, or triumph in anything other than the Lord.
The "exultant" described by H5938 are those whose hearts are set on worldly pleasures, material prosperity, or their own strength and perceived invincibility. This kind of exultation blinds them to spiritual realities, fosters a sense of false security, and leads to a defiant posture against God's will. The recurring judgment pronounced upon the "exultant city" or "revelers" underscores God's intolerance for such prideful and unholy joy.
In a broader theological sense, H5938 highlights the critical distinction between righteous joy (rooted in God, His salvation, and His commands) and unrighteous revelry (rooted in self, sin, and the world). While true joy is a fruit of the Spirit and a blessing from God, the exultation described by H5938 is a symptom of spiritual sickness and a precursor to divine discipline. It implicitly calls believers to examine the source and object of their own joy, ensuring it aligns with God's will and not with the fleeting pleasures of a fallen world.
### Summary
H5938 (ʻâlêz) describes one who is "exultant" or "rejoicing." While derived from a root that can denote righteous joy, the specific biblical occurrences of H5938 predominantly carry a negative theological weight. It consistently depicts a worldly, self-centered, or arrogant exultation, often linked with revelry, pride, and a false sense of security. Prophetic texts, particularly in Isaiah and Zephaniah, utilize H5938 to characterize individuals or cities whose misplaced joy and hubris lead them to face divine judgment. The term thus serves as a powerful theological warning, emphasizing that true and enduring joy is found only in God, contrasting sharply with the fleeting and ultimately destructive exultation derived from worldly pursuits.
TRV