Original Word: עָלַץ
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: `alats
Pronunciation: ah-lats
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-lats')
KJV: be joyful, rejoice, triumph
NASB: exult, exults, rejoices, triumph
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to jump for joy, i.e. exult

be joyful, rejoice, triumph

A primitive root; to jump for joy, i.e. Exult -- be joyful, rejoice, triumph.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to rejoice, exult
NASB Translation
exult (5), exults (1), rejoices (1), triumph (1).

עָלַץ verb rejoice, exult (Late Hebrew id. (rare); Hiph`il Imperfect יעליצו Ecclus 40:20; Assyrian elêƒu, exult; Sabean מעלץ joys CIS^{iv, No. 197, 1. 5. 7}; see also עלז, עלס); —

Qal Perfect3masculine singular ׳לִבִּי בְּי ׳ע 1 Samuel 2:1 my heart exulteth in ׳י; Imperfect3masculine singular יַעֲלֹץ הַשָּׂדֶה 1 Chronicles 16:32 the field exulteth; compare 3 feminine singular תַּעֲלֹץ קִרְיָה Proverbs 11:10 ("" רנן); 1 singular אֶעֶלְצָה בָּ֑ךְ Psalm 9:3 (i.e. in ׳י; + שׂמח, "" זמּר); 3 masculine plural יַעְלְצוּ בְךָ Psalm 5:12 (in ׳י; "" שׂמח, רנן); יַעַלְצוּ לִפְנֵי אֱלֹהִים Psalm 68:4 (+ שׂמח, "" שׂישׂ); + לִי Psalm 25:2 exult at me; Infinitive construct בַּעֲלֹץ Proverbs 28:12 when the righteous exult.

Semantic Range

עָלַץ depicts exuberant rejoicing that wells up from within and finds audible or visible expression. It embraces gladness springing from victory, deliverance, worship, or the contemplation of God’s righteous rule. Unlike quieter terms for joy, this verb conveys unrestrained celebration—hearts, voices, earth, and even seas “exult.”

Biblical Distribution

The verb appears eight times, all in poetic or liturgical settings: Hannah’s song (1 Samuel 2:1), Davidic worship (1 Chronicles 16:32; Psalm 5:11; Psalm 9:2; Psalm 68:3), personal lament (Psalm 25:2), and wisdom reflections on civic life (Proverbs 11:10; Proverbs 28:12). The contexts move from individual to corporate, from human to creation, revealing the breadth of God-centered rejoicing.

Theology of Joy in Salvation

The first occurrence sets the tone. Hannah proclaims, “My heart exults in the LORD… for I rejoice in Your salvation” (1 Samuel 2:1). Joy is not self-generated but a response to the saving acts of God. Subsequent psalms echo this theme: “I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High” (Psalm 9:2). Salvation joy anticipates the fuller redemption unveiled in the Gospel, linking Old Testament worship with New Testament assurance (Luke 1:46-47; Philippians 4:4).

Corporate and Cosmic Worship

1 Chronicles 16:32 places עָלַץ in a creation hymn: “Let the sea resound… let the fields exult, and all that is in them.” The word summons every sphere—land, sea, nation—to celebrate YHWH’s kingship. Psalm 68:3 extends the invitation to “the righteous” who “exult with great joy,” illustrating the communal dimension of redemptive rejoicing that prefigures the eschatological throng in Revelation 19:6-7.

Social and Moral Implications

Proverbs applies עָלַץ to civic life. “When the righteous triumph, the city rejoices” (Proverbs 11:10). Public celebration over righteous leadership affirms that godliness benefits society. Conversely, Psalm 25:2 pleads, “Do not let my enemies exult over me,” showing that misplaced exultation—gloating in evil—invites divine redress. Righteous exultation glorifies God; unrighteous joy is fleeting and ultimately judged.

Messianic and Eschatological Overtones

The Old Testament uses of עָלַץ anticipate messianic victory. The imagery of creation exulting and the righteous rejoicing foreshadows the consummation when “creation itself will be set free” (Romans 8:21). Psalm 68, a triumphal procession psalm quoted in Ephesians 4:8, links earthly exultation to Christ’s ascension. Thus, every occurrence carries forward the hope of final, unending rejoicing in the reign of the Messiah.

Practical Application in Ministry

1. Worship Planning: Incorporate readings or songs that capture exuberant praise, reflecting the full-bodied joy of עָלַץ.
2. Counseling: Remind believers that true joy is rooted in God’s salvation, not circumstances (Psalm 9:2).
3. Community Engagement: Encourage public thanksgiving when righteousness advances—mirroring Proverbs 11:10—to testify of God’s goodness in civic life.
4. Preaching: Contrast righteous exultation with the fleeting glee of the wicked (Psalm 25:2; Proverbs 28:12) to call hearers to covenant faithfulness.

Key Passages for Study

1 Samuel 2:1; 1 Chronicles 16:32; Psalm 5:11; Psalm 9:2; Psalm 25:2; Psalm 68:3; Proverbs 11:10; Proverbs 28:12.

בַּעֲלֹ֣ץ בעלץ וְֽיַעְלְצ֥וּ וְאֶעֶלְצָ֣ה ואעלצה ויעלצו יַֽ֭עַלְצוּ יַֽעַלְצ֖וּ יַעֲלֹ֥ץ יעלץ יעלצו עָלַ֤ץ עלץ תַּעֲלֹ֣ץ תעלץ ‘ā·laṣ ‘ālaṣ aLatz ba‘ălōṣ ba·‘ă·lōṣ baaLotz ta‘ălōṣ ta·‘ă·lōṣ taaLotz veeelTzah veyaleTzu wə’e‘elṣāh wə·’e·‘el·ṣāh wə·ya‘·lə·ṣū wəya‘ləṣū ya‘ălōṣ ya‘alṣū ya·‘ă·lōṣ ya·‘al·ṣū yaaLotz yaalTzuInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts