Original Word: רָנַן
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: ranan
Pronunciation: rah-nan'
Phonetic Spelling: (raw-nan')
KJV: aloud for joy, cry out, be joyful (greatly, make to) rejoice, (cause to) shout (for joy), (cause to) sing (aloud, for joy, out), triumph
NASB: sing for joy, shout for joy, shout joyfully, sing aloud, joyfully sing, cries, cries of joy
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. (properly) to creak (or emit a stridulous sound), i.e. to shout (usually for joy)

aloud for joy, cry out, be joyful greatly, make to rejoice, cause to shout for joy

A primitive root; properly, to creak (or emit a stridulous sound), i.e. To shout (usually for joy) -- aloud for joy, cry out, be joyful (greatly, make to) rejoice, (cause to) shout (for joy), (cause to) sing (aloud, for joy, out), triumph.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to give a ringing cry
NASB Translation
cries (1), cries of joy (1), cry aloud (1), joyfully sing (2), rejoice (1), sang (1), shout for joy (16), shout of joy (1), shout joyfully (4), shouted (1), shouts (1), sing for joy (18), sing aloud (3), sing aloud for joy (1), sings (1).

[רוּן] verb overcome (compare Arabic (), with or person, overcome, e.g. of wine); — assumed in Hebrew by Thes (after ᵐ5) and most modern to explain

Hithpo`el Participle כְּגִבּוֺר מִתְרוֺנֵן מִיָּ֑יִן Psalm 78:65 like a hero overcome by wine (compare "" v^a); AV RV De Che and others shout (√רנן), compare ᵑ7; so Hup-Now, with alternate conjecture מִתְעוֺרֵר, and this sense more suitable (compare Luzz^{Il Pentateuco iii (1874), 162 (Leviticus 21:7)} Perles⁷⁹). — Proverbs 29:6 see רנן, רוץ.

רָנַן] verb give a ringing cry (onomatopoetic? compare Arabic cry aloud, also twang (of bowstring); Late Hebrew Pi`el murmur, complain, compare Jewish-Aramaic (not ᵑ7) ); —

Qal Imperfect3masculine singular יָרוּן (Ges^{§ 67q}) Proverbs 29:6 (but read perhaps יָרוּץ, Pinsk Toy, see רוּץ

2); 3 feminine singular תָּרֹן Isaiah 35:6; 3masculine plural יָרֹ֫נוּ Isaiah 24:14 +, ׳וַיָּר Leviticus 9:24; 3feminine plural תָּרֹ֫נָּה Proverbs 1:20; Proverbs 8:3; Imperative feminine singular רָנִּי Isaiah 54:1 +, רֹ֫נִּי Isaiah 12:6; masculine plural רָנּוּ Jeremiah 31:7 +; Infinitive construct בְּרָןֿ Job 38:7; — give a ringing cry:

1 in joy, exultation, "" צָהַל Jeremiah 31:7 (שִׂמְחָה ׳ר), Isaiah 12:6; Isaiah 24:14 ("" נָשָׂא קוֺל) Isaiah 54:1 (+רִנָּהמָּצַךְ); "" הֵרִיעַ Zephaniah 3:14 (+שׂמח, עלז), Isaiah 44:23; Job 38:7; "" שָׂמַח Zechariah 2:14; Psalm 35:27; Proverbs 29:6 (see above); "" גִּיל Isaiah 49:13 (+הֵרִים רִנָּה), "" צָוַח Isaiah 42:11; opposed to צָעַק (cry in distress) Isaiah 65:14 (מִן of cause); Leviticus 9:24; Isaiah 35:6 (subject לָשׁוֺן). — Isaiah 61:7 is corrupt; read perhaps וָרֹק and spitting, Klo Che^Hpt.

2 in distress, Lamentations 2:19.

3 cry aloud, in summons, exhortation (of wisdom) Proverbs 1:20 ("" נָתַן קוֺל), Proverbs 8:3.

Pi`el Perfect3plural consecutive וְרִנְּנוּ Jeremiah 31:12; Jeremiah 51:48; Imperfect3feminine singular חְרַנֵּן Psalm 51:16, 3masculine plural יְרַנְּנוּ Psalm 84:3 +, יְרַנֵּ֑נוּ Psalm 5:12 +; 3 feminine plural חְרַנֵּ֫נָּה Psalm 71:23 (van d. H. תְּרַנֵּנָה), etc.; Imperative masculine plural רַנְּנוּ Isaiah 52:9 +; Infinitive absolute רַנֵּן Psalm 132:16, construct id. Isaiah 35:2; — give a ringing cry, in joy, exultation, especially in praise to ׳י, Jeremiah 31:12; Jeremiah 51:48; Isaiah 26:19; Isaiah 35:2 (+גִּילַת, see גִּילָה), Isaiah 52:8 ("" נָשָׂא קוֺל) Isaiah 52:9 (+מָּצַח); elsewhere only Psalms: Psalm 5:12 ("" שָׂמַח, עָלַץ), Psalm 67:5; Psalm 90:14; Psalm 92:5 (with ב of thing; all "" ׳שׂ alone); Psalm 149:5 ("" עָלַז); Psalm 98:4 ("" הֵרִיעַ; +מָּצַח, זִמֵּר), Psalm 132:9; Psalm 145:7, רַנֵּן יְרַנֵּ֑נוּ Psalm 132:16; with accusative of theme Psalm 51:16; Psalm 59:17 ("" שִׁיר); ׳בי Psalm 33:1; ב of thing Psalm 20:6; Psalm 63:8; Psalm 89:13; with ׳לי Psalm 95:1 ("" הֵרִיעַ), אֶלאֵֿל Psalm 84:3, ׳(מִ)לפני י Psalm 96:12 ("" עָלַז) = 1 Chronicles 16:33 ("" עָלַץ), Psalm 98:8; subject שְׂכָּתַיִם Psalm 71:23 ("" זִמֵּר).

Pu`al Imperfect3masculine singular impersonal לֹא יְרֻנָּן Isaiah 16:10 no ringing cry shall be given ("" יְרֹעַ֑ע).

Hiph`il Imperfect cause to ring out for joy, 1 singular לֵב אַלְמָנָה אַרְנִן Job 29:13; 2masculine singular בֹקֶר וָעֶרֶב תַּרְנִין ׳מוֺצָאֵ Psalm 65:9; Imperative masculine plural הַרְנִינוּ ring out a cry of joy Psalm 32:11 ("" שׂמח, גיל), ׳לי Psalm 81:2 ("" הריע); with accusative of theme, עַמּוֺ Deuteronomy 32:43 (see Dr; compare Pi`el). —

Hithpo`1el Psalm 78:65 compare רון.

Overview

Strong’s Hebrew 7442 portrays an ecstatic burst of vocal praise—shouting, singing, ringing cries of jubilant faith. Across roughly fifty-four Old Testament appearances the verb consistently unites God’s people, God’s creation, and God’s future in one glad chorus. Whether rising from the sanctuary, the battlefield, the countryside, or the prophetic vision, the cry testifies that Yahweh reigns, saves, judges righteously, and keeps covenant.

Worship and Praise in the Psalms

The Psalter is the primary hymnbook for רָנַן. The righteous are urged to “shout for joy” (Psalm 32:11) and “burst into jubilant song with music” (Psalm 98:4). Worship is both corporate—“Let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them ever shout for joy” (Psalm 5:11)—and personal—“My tongue will sing of Your righteousness” (Psalm 51:14). Righteous celebration is rooted not in circumstance but in God’s steadfast love, creating a theology of praise that is intentionally loud, public, and God-centered.

Corporate Joy at Salvation and Deliverance

רָנַן is the glad shout when the Lord intervenes. After victory, the congregation cries, “May we shout for joy at your salvation” (Psalm 20:5). Israel’s restoration theme echoes in Jeremiah: “Sing with joy for Jacob; shout among the chief of the nations” (Jeremiah 31:7). National renewal in Ezra 3:11 uses the same verb as the returned exiles raise a triad of praise, confession, and thanksgiving at the rebuilt altar, demonstrating that true revival culminates in exuberant worship.

Creation’s Song

The cry is not confined to humanity. “Tabor and Hermon shout for joy at Your name” (Psalm 89:12). Trees clap and forests sing (Isaiah 44:23). Job 38:7 places רָנַן at the dawn of creation: “while the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy.” By invoking רָנַן in cosmological contexts, Scripture frames praise as a universal response built into the fabric of creation.

Prophetic Anticipation and Messianic Hope

Prophets harness the verb to announce eschatological joy. Isaiah 12:6 calls Zion to “Cry out and sing… for great among you is the Holy One of Israel.” Zechariah 9:9 clinches its messianic significance: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you…” The jubilant acclamation greeted Jesus’ triumphal entry (Matthew 21:5), revealing that Old Testament רָנַן prepares hearts for the King who brings salvation by humility.

Covenantal and Liturgical Dimensions

Deuteronomy 32:43 commands the nations to “Rejoice… with His people,” embedding רָנַן in covenantal liturgy. 1 Chronicles 16:33 records the temple dedication: “Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the LORD.” The verb thus marks high points in Israel’s cultic calendar—tabernacle, temple, feasts—signaling faithful remembrance of mighty acts.

Personal Piety and Spiritual Formation

Far from mere emotion, רָנַן shapes inner life. Psalm 71:23 links the singing tongue with redeemed soul: “My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to You, along with my soul You have redeemed.” In Psalm 90:14, lifelong satisfaction flows from daily praise: “Satisfy us in the morning with Your loving devotion, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” Spiritual health is measured by the willingness and readiness to vocalize confidence in the Lord.

Eschatological Fulfillment

End-time pictures swell with רָנַן. Isaiah 55:12 envisions mountains singing; Isaiah 65:14 contrasts the triumphant song of God’s servants with the shame of rebels. Zephaniah depicts the climactic reversal: “The LORD your God is in your midst… He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17). Here the verb is applied to the Lord Himself, revealing that the final restoration culminates not only in human praise but also in divine delight.

Practical Ministry Applications

1. Corporate Worship: Biblical praise is meant to be heard. Congregational singing and spontaneous shouts anchor worship in revealed models rather than cultural preference.
2. Evangelism and Mission: Psalm 67:4 links global joy and divine governance—proclamation aims at nations “singing for joy,” not mere assent.
3. Pastoral Care: Encouraging believers to vocalize faith fosters resilience; praise precedes and sustains victory (compare 2 Chronicles 20:21-22 where singers lead the battle line).
4. Creation Care: Recognizing creation’s role in praising its Maker shapes stewardship; environmental degradation muffles a chorus meant for God’s glory.
5. Eschatological Hope: Teaching the prophetic uses of רָנַן grounds believers in confident expectancy, aligning worship today with the coming universal doxology.

Summary of Principal References

Deuteronomy 32:43; Job 29:13; 38:7

Psalms 5:11; 9:2; 20:5; 30:5; 32:11; 33:1; 35:27; 51:14; 59:16; 67:4; 71:23; 81:1; 89:12; 90:14; 92:4; 96:12; 98:4; 132:16; 149:5

Isaiah 12:6; 14:7; 24:14; 35:6; 42:11; 44:23; 49:13; 52:8-9; 54:1; 55:12; 65:14

Jeremiah 31:7, 12; 50:11

Zephaniah 3:14, 17

Zechariah 2:10; 9:9

(Additional occurrences dot Chronicles, Ezra, Lamentations, Habakkuk, and elsewhere.)

Through every season of redemptive history רָנַן calls God’s people—from patriarchs to prophets to the present church—to lift unwavering, exultant voices in acknowledgment that the Lord is God and His steadfast love endures forever.

אֲרַנֵּֽן׃ אַרְנִֽן׃ ארנן׃ בְּרָן־ ברן־ הַ֭רְנִינוּ הַרְנִ֤ינוּ הרנינו וְ֝הַרְנִ֗ינוּ וְרִנְּנ֣וּ וְרִנְּנ֤וּ וְרַנְּנ֜וּ וְרַנְּנ֣וּ וְרַנֵּ֔ן וְתָרֹ֖ן וִֽירַנְּנ֗וּ וַאֲרַנֵּ֥ן וַיָּרֹ֔נּוּ וָרֹ֖נִּי וּֽנְרַנְּנָ֥ה וארנן והרנינו וירנו וירננו ונרננה ורני ורנן ורננו ותרן יְ֝רַנְּנ֗וּ יְ֭רַנֵּנוּ יְרַנְּנ֖וּ יְרַנֵּ֑נוּ יְרַנֵּֽנוּ׃ יְרֻנָּ֖ן יָר֥וּן יָרֹ֑נּוּ יָרֹ֖נּוּ יָרֹ֙נּוּ֙ יָרֹ֣נּוּ ירון ירנו ירנן ירננו ירננו׃ מִתְרוֹנֵ֥ן מתרונן נְרַנְּנָ֣ה נְרַנְּנָ֤ה ׀ נרננה רַנְּנ֣וּ רַנְּנוּ֙ רַנֵּ֥ן רָנִּ֥י רָנִּי֙ רָנּ֤וּ רָנּ֨וּ רֹ֣נִּי רנו רני רנן רננו תְּרַנֵּ֣נָּ֣ה תְּרַנֵּ֥ן תַּרְנִֽין׃ תָּרֹ֑נָּה תָּרֹֽנָּה׃ תרנה תרנה׃ תרנין׃ תרנן תרננה ’ă·ran·nên ’ar·nin ’ărannên ’arnin aranNen arNin bə·rān- bərān- beron har·nî·nū harNinu harnînū miṯ·rō·w·nên mitroNen miṯrōwnên nə·ran·nə·nāh neranneNah nərannənāh ran·nə·nū ran·nên rān·nî rān·nū ranNen rannên ranneNu rannənū ranNi rānnî ranNu rānnū rōn·nî Ronni rōnnî tā·rōn·nāh tar·nîn tarNin tarnîn taRonnah tārōnnāh tə·ran·nên tə·ran·nên·nāh teranNen tərannên teranNenNah tərannênnāh ū·nə·ran·nə·nāh uneranneNah ūnərannənāh vaaranNen vaiyaRonnu vaRonni veharNinu veranNen veranneNu verinneNu vetaRon viranneNu wa’ărannên wa·’ă·ran·nên wā·rōn·nî wārōnnî way·yā·rōn·nū wayyārōnnū wə·har·nî·nū wə·ran·nə·nū wə·ran·nên wə·rin·nə·nū wə·ṯā·rōn wəharnînū wərannên wərannənū wərinnənū wəṯārōn wî·ran·nə·nū wîrannənū yā·rōn·nū yā·rūn yaRonnu yārōnnū yaRun yārūn yə·ran·nê·nū yə·ran·nə·nū yə·run·nān yeranneNu yərannênū yərannənū yerunNan yərunnānInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts