a primitive root; to jump for joy, i.e. exult; be joyful, rejoice, triumph.
Transliteration:ʻâlats
Pronunciation:aw-lats'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb H5970 (ʻâlats) is a primitive root signifying a vibrant and often outward expression of joy. Its core meaning involves a sense of "jumping for joy" or "leaping with gladness," indicating a physical manifestation of inner elation. The semantic range extends to:
* **Exultation:** A profound sense of triumph and elation, often in response to a significant event or victory.
* **Rejoicing:** A general state of gladness, but distinctly emphasizing its demonstrative and energetic display rather than a quiet internal feeling.
* **Triumph:** Particularly used to describe joy experienced in the context of overcoming adversaries or adversity, carrying connotations of vindication and victory.
Unlike some other Hebrew terms for joy (e.g., `{{H8055}}` *śāmaḥ*), ʻâlats often implies a more active, unbridled, and sometimes public, expression of delight. It conveys a dynamic rather than a passive state of happiness.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb H5970 (ʻâlats) appears approximately 20 times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in the Psalms and Proverbs, with significant occurrences also in Samuel, Isaiah, Hosea, and Habakkuk. Its usage reveals key contextual patterns:
* **Rejoicing in Divine Deliverance and Salvation:** Most frequently, ʻâlats describes the exuberant joy of the righteous in response to God's saving acts, His justice, and His faithfulness. Examples include Hannah's prayer of exultation in the Lord's salvation [[1 Samuel 2:1]], the psalmist's declaration, "my heart shall rejoice in your salvation" [[Psalm 13:5]], and the call to "rejoice and be glad" in the Lord for those who seek Him [[Psalm 40:16]]. This joy is often a direct result of God's intervention against enemies or oppressive circumstances.
* **Exulting in God's Presence and Character:** The term also conveys the joy derived from God's kingship and righteous judgments. [[Psalm 97:8]] states, "Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice," in response to the Lord's judgments. Similarly, [[Psalm 68:4]] commands, "Exult before him."
* **Contrast with Wicked Rejoicing:** Significantly, ʻâlats is also employed to describe the joy of the wicked, often in a negative or condemned sense. This highlights that the *emotion* itself can be neutral, but its *object* and *source* determine its moral quality. For instance, the psalmist prays, "Let not those rejoice over me who are wrongfully my foes" [[Psalm 35:19]], and later, "How long shall the wicked exult?" [[Psalm 94:3]]. [[Hosea 9:1]] warns Israel not to "rejoice... with exultation like the peoples," referring to pagan celebrations. This negative usage underscores the danger of joy rooted in unrighteousness or the misfortune of others.
* **Societal and Governance Contexts:** In Proverbs, ʻâlats can describe the joy of a community under righteous leadership or when justice prevails. [[Proverbs 29:2]] states, "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice."
### Related Words & Concepts
H5970 (ʻâlats) exists within a rich semantic field of Hebrew words for joy and celebration:
* **Synonyms/Near Synonyms:**
* `{{H8055}}` *śāmaḥ*: "to be glad, rejoice." This is a broader term for joy, often encompassing both internal and external expressions. While ʻâlats emphasizes the dynamic, exuberant aspect, *śāmaḥ* can describe a more general state of gladness.
* `{{H1523}}` *gîl*: "to rejoice, shout for joy." Very similar to ʻâlats, often used in parallel, conveying a sense of jubilant, often vocal, celebration.
* `{{H7442}}` *rānān*: "to shout for joy, sing for joy." This term specifically highlights the vocal component of joyful expression.
* **Antonyms/Contrasting Concepts:**
* Mourning, sorrow, grief (e.g., `{{H60}}` *ābal*).
* Shame, dishonor, humiliation, defeat (e.g., `{{H954}}` *bôsh*). The Psalms frequently contrast the desired exultation of the righteous with the hoped-for shame of their enemies, highlighting the vindication inherent in ʻâlats.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H5970 (ʻâlats) is profound, particularly in its positive applications:
* **God as the Source of True Joy:** The consistent association of ʻâlats with God's actions and character establishes Him as the ultimate and reliable source of genuine, enduring joy. This joy is not fleeting or dependent on circumstances, but rooted in divine faithfulness and salvation.
* **A Proper Response to Divine Action:** Exulting in the Lord is presented as an appropriate and commanded response to His deliverance, justice, and presence. It is an act of worship, trust, and acknowledgment of His sovereignty and goodness. This exuberant joy is a testament to faith.
* **Ethical Dimension of Joy:** The dual usage of ʻâlats for both righteous and wicked rejoicing underscores a crucial ethical point: the moral quality of joy is determined by its object and source. Joy derived from God and His righteous ways is blessed, while joy rooted in sin, injustice, or the suffering of others is condemned. This distinction serves as a theological warning against misplaced or unholy exultation.
* **Hope and Eschatological Triumph:** ʻâlats often carries an element of triumph and vindication, reflecting the ultimate victory of God and His people over evil. It points towards an eschatological hope where all who trust in God will have reason to exult in His final and complete salvation.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb H5970 (ʻâlats) denotes a vigorous, often outward, expression of joy, encompassing meanings such as "to jump for joy," "exult," "rejoice," and "triumph." It signifies a dynamic and demonstrative gladness, frequently associated with physical exuberance. In its biblical occurrences, ʻâlats predominantly describes the righteous response to God's saving acts, deliverance from adversaries, and the establishment of His justice, particularly evident in the Psalms. It emphasizes God as the ultimate source and object of true, lasting joy. Conversely, the term is also employed to describe the unholy rejoicing of the wicked over misfortune or their own unrighteousness, thereby underscoring the critical distinction between joy rooted in God and joy derived from sinful sources. ʻâlats thus serves as a powerful descriptor of the appropriate, triumphant, and often public, exultation that arises from a deep trust in and experience of divine faithfulness.
TRV