Hallelujah
/ˌhæləˈluːjə/noun
An exclamation of joy or praise to God.
Did you know?The word 'Hallelujah' combines Hebrew roots meaning 'praise' and 'Yah', a shortened form of 'Yahweh', invoking a direct connection to the divine.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Hebrew
Hebrew
הַלְּלוּיָהּ (Hallelu Yah)
“Praise Yah (God), a call to worship.”
1st Century
Greek
Ἁλληλουϊά (Alleluia)
“A transliteration from Hebrew into Greek used in early Christian liturgy.”
Middle Ages
Latin
Alleluia
“Adopted in liturgical texts, symbolizing joy and resurrection.”
Early Modern English
English
Hallelujah
“Used in hymns and religious contexts, emphasizing joyful praise.”
Modern English
English
Hallelujah
“Commonly used in both religious and secular contexts to express ecstatic joy.”