Original Word: עֲלִיצוּת
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: `aliytsuwth
Pronunciation: ah-lee-tsooth
Phonetic Spelling: (al-ee-tsooth')
KJV: rejoicing
NASB: exultation
Word Origin: [from H5970 (עָלַץ - exult)]

1. exultation

rejoicing

From alats; exultation -- rejoicing.

see HEBREW alats

Word Origin
from alats
Definition
exultation
NASB Translation
exultation (1).

[עֲלִיצוּת] noun feminine exultation; — suffix עֲלִיצֻתָם כְּמוֺ לָאֱכֹל עָנִי Habakkuk 3:14 their exultation was as it were to devour the poor.

עלק (√ of following; compare Arabic hang, be suspended, cleave, adhere; leech; noun of individual meaning ; Assyrian il‡itu, of some inferior animal (word-list); Syriac , etc., ᵑ7 עֲלוּקָא all leech).

Semantic Nuance

עֲלִיצוּת conveys an animated, exuberant rejoicing. Unlike general terms for gladness, it highlights a boisterous delight that can be directed toward righteous celebration or, in some contexts, toward unrighteous triumph. In Habakkuk 3:14 the nuance is decidedly negative—an exultation in violence.

Biblical Context

Habakkuk 3:14: “You pierced his head with his own spear; his warriors stormed out to scatter us, gloating as though to devour the weak who were hiding.” (Berean Standard Bible)

The prophet’s theophanic hymn (Habakkuk 3:3-15) recounts the Lord’s past deliverances to bolster faith amid Babylonian threat. עֲלִיצוּת appears at the climax of the enemy’s assault: the invaders burst forth in “gloating” joy, expecting an easy conquest. The term amplifies the moral contrast between the Lord’s righteous salvation and the arrogant hubris of the wicked.

Theological Implications

1. The Lord Judges Sinful Exultation

Scripture repeatedly condemns joy rooted in cruelty (Proverbs 24:17; Obadiah 12). Habakkuk 3:14 underscores that God not only observes outward violence but also the inward delight that fuels it. Divine justice penetrates to the motives of the heart, assuring believers that even secret gloating will not escape judgment.

2. A Call to Sanctified Joy

By spotlighting the twisted joy of the oppressor, the verse implicitly commends a holy counterpart—rejoicing in the Lord (Philippians 4:4), not in another’s downfall. The single appearance of עֲלִיצוּת challenges worshippers to examine the object and character of their celebrations.

Historical Background

Habakkuk ministered in the late seventh century B.C., likely during Jehoiakim’s reign, as Babylon rose to swallow Judah. The “warriors” in the text most naturally represent Babylonian forces famed for ruthless onslaught (Habakkuk 1:6-11). Their triumphant shout embodied in עֲלִיצוּת mirrors common Near-Eastern battle psychology, where victors celebrated the humiliation of captives. Habakkuk’s inclusion of the term may be an eyewitness touch, capturing the terror and mockery Judah anticipated.

Ministry Applications

1. Pastoral Counseling

When believers suffer under gloating antagonists—whether political oppression, workplace bullying, or social ridicule—Habakkuk 3 assures them that God discerns malicious exultation and will act in due time.

2. Corporate Worship

The prophet’s contrast encourages liturgy that celebrates God’s victories without descending into spiteful triumphalism. Worship leaders may employ Habakkuk 3 to guide congregations toward humility in praise.

3. Ethical Instruction

Christian educators can use the verse to address schadenfreude, teaching that rejoicing over another’s misfortune contradicts love of neighbor (Romans 12:15). Admonition against malicious joy serves as a diagnostic for pride.

4. Evangelistic Apologetics

The moral intuition that cruel gloating is wrong offers a bridge for gospel conversation: Scripture identifies and explains the problem, then offers the righteous joy found in Christ’s redemptive victory (Luke 10:20).

Conclusion

Though עֲלִיצוּת occurs only once, its strategic placement in Habakkuk magnifies a timeless truth: the Lord of history weighs celebration itself. Joy aligned with God’s purposes brings life; joy rooted in oppression hastens judgment.

עֲלִ֣יצֻתָ֔ם עליצתם ‘ă·lî·ṣu·ṯām ‘ălîṣuṯām aLitzuTamInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts