English · KJV
H7445

רְנָנָה

rᵉnânâh /ren-aw-naw'/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom רָנַן
Meaninga shout (for joy)
KJV usagejoyful (voice), singing, triumphing.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of rᵉnânâh — 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 rᵉnânâh, represented by H7445, denotes a shout (for joy), a joyful (voice), singing, or triumphing. It is a specific term that appears only 4 times across 4 unique verses in the Bible. While rare, it captures a powerful form of audible expression, ranging from sincere, worshipful praise to the temporary exultation of the wicked.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The use of H7445 varies significantly depending on the context. In worship, it is an instruction for how to approach God, as believers are told to "come before his presence with singing" Psalms 100:2. It also describes the praise that flows from a contented spirit, when a satisfied soul H5315 results in a mouth that praises with "joyful lips" Psalms 63:5. In stark contrast, the term is used to describe the hollow celebration of evil, noting that "the triumphing of the wicked is short" Job 20:5. In a moment of deep despair, Job uses its absence to define a curse, wishing for a night where no "joyful voice" can come H935 into it Job 3:7.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help frame the meaning of H7445:

  • H1984 hâlal (to... praise): This word for praise and celebration is directly linked with the joyful expression of H7445. A satisfied soul will praise God with joyful lips Psalms 63:5.
  • H8057 simchâh (gladness, joy): Defined as "blithesomeness or glee," this term often appears in parallel with H7445. Believers are to serve the Lord with gladness and come before Him with singing Psalms 100:2, while the joy of the hypocrite is as short-lived as his triumphing Job 20:5.
  • H7563 râshâʻ (wicked): This term describes a "morally wrong" or "bad person." The use of H7445 in relation to the wicked provides a crucial theological contrast, highlighting that their triumph is fleeting Job 20:5.
  • H2611 chânêph (hypocrite): This word for someone who is "soiled (i.e. with sin), impious" is used alongside "wicked" in Job, specifying that the joy of the hypocrite is momentary Job 20:5.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H7445 is seen in its contextual applications.

  • Authentic Worship: A "joyful voice" or "singing" is presented as a proper and desirable response to God. It is the outward sound of a soul that is satisfied in Him and comes into His presence H6440 with gladness (Psalms 100:2, Psalms 63:5).
  • The Brevity of Evil's Joy: The word is used to make a sharp distinction between godly joy and the "triumphing" of the wicked. The joy of the hypocrite H2611 is explicitly described as temporary, underscoring its lack of eternal substance Job 20:5.
  • The Sound of Blessing: The absence of a joyful voice H7445 is portrayed as the mark of a cursed and solitary state. Its presence, therefore, signifies blessing, life, and fellowship, while its lack signifies desolation Job 3:7.

Summary

In summary, H7445 is more than just a sound; it is an indicator of the heart's condition. Though it appears infrequently, rᵉnânâh carries significant meaning, capable of representing both the highest form of worshipful singing and the fleeting triumphing of the wicked. The context in which this joyful shout occurs determines its value, illustrating a clear biblical distinction between the enduring joy rooted in God and the momentary happiness of those opposed to Him.

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 4 occurrences, inflected in 3 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.

  • רְנָנָה
  • רְנָנוֹת
  • רִנְנַת

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.

H5315 נֶפֶשׁ from נָפַשׁ; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accomm H935 בּוֹא a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] H1984 הָלַל a primitive root; to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make ashow, to boast; and thus H8057 שִׂמְחָה from שָׂמֵחַ; blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival); [idiom] exceeding(-ly), gladness, joy(-fulness), mirth, p H7563 רָשָׁע from רָשַׁע; morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person; [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), tha H2611 חָנֵף from חָנֵף; soiled (i.e. with sin), impious; hypocrite(-ical).

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

Appears in 4 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Job and Psalms (2 verses each); never once in the other 37.

2
Job
2
Psalms

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.