Understanding Praise from the Greek and Hebrew words for it
We can learn a lot about what it means to Praise God from the original words used in the Bible to describe it.
When using Greek and Hebrew definitions, don’t get so caught up in technical definitions that you miss what God is saying. Catch the Spirit of what is being said. You can know Greek and Hebrew and still not know what God is saying.
However, there is insight we can learn from the Greek and Hebrew words God has chosen to use.
To Praise is: to boast, to rave (about), to commend, to speak well of, to laud
Old Testament Hebrew words for Praise:
Halal (haw-lal’)
Strongs #1984
– to be clear (…of sound…); to shine, to make a show
– to boast; to be clamourously foolish, make foolish
– to rave, to celebrate, commend
– to sing praise, renowned
Yadah (yaw-daw’)
Strongs #3034
– to use / hold out the hand, throw out hands
– to revere or worship (with extended hands)
– confession, praise, give thanks, thanksgiving
Tehillah (the-hil-law’)
Strongs #8416
– laudation, praise
Zamar (zaw-mar’)
Strongs #2167
– to touch the strings or parts of a musical instrument
– to play upon it, to make music accompanied by the voice
– to celebrate in song and music
– to strike (a musical instrument / strings) with fingers
Barak (baw-rak’)
Strongs #1288
– to kneel (see thanksgiving)
– kneel down, salute, bless God, act of adoration
Shabach (shaw-bakh’)
Strongs #7623
– to address in a loud tone, ie LOUD
– commend, glory, praise, triumph
Shebach (Sheb-akh’)
Strongs #7624
– to adulate, ie to adore
Todah (to-daw)
Strongs #8426
– an extension of the hand, adoration, a choir of worshippers
(Towdah)
– confession, sacrifice of praise, thanks, thanksgiving
Mahalal (mah-hal-awl’)
Strongs #4110
– fame
New Testament Greek word for Praise
Epainos (ep’ahee-nos)
Strongs #1868
– laudation, a commendable thing
Doxa (dox’-ah)
Strongs #1391
– glory
Eulogeo (Eu-log-eh’-o)
Strongs #2127
– to speak well of
Arete (ar-et’ay)
Strongs #703
– manliness (valour) – ie excellence
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Greek and Hebrew Words for Worship
