Original Word: צָהַל
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: tsahal
Pronunciation: tsaw-hal'
Phonetic Spelling: (tsaw-hal')
KJV: bellow, cry aloud (out), lift up, neigh, rejoice, make to shine, shout
Word Origin: [a prim root]

1. to gleam, i.e. (figuratively) be cheerful
2. by transf. to sound clear (of various animal or human expressions)

bellow, cry aloud out, lift up, neigh, rejoice, make to shine, shout

A prim root; to gleam, i.e. (figuratively) be cheerful; by transf. To sound clear (of various animal or human expressions) -- bellow, cry aloud (out), lift up, neigh, rejoice, make to shine, shout.

I. [צָהַל] verb neigh, cry shrilly (Arabic neigh, Syriac id.; ᵑ7 Esther 8:15 = Biblical Hebrew); —

Qal Perfect3feminine singular צָֽהֲלָה Esther 8:15; 3plural צָֽהֲלוּ Isaiah 24:14; Imperfect3masculine plural יִצְהָ֑לוּ Jeremiah 5:8; 2feminine singular תצהלי Jeremiah 50:11 Kt, Qr 2 masculine plural תִּצְהֲלוּ and so Vrss; Imperative feminine singular צַהֲלִי Isaiah 10:30 +; masculine plural צַהֲלוּ Jeremiah 31:7; —

1 neigh, of men under figure of stallions; with אֶל unto (in desire) Jeremiah 5:8, of profligate Judaeans; absolute Jeremiah 50:11 of arrogant Chaldeans.

2 cry shrilly, in distress Isaiah 10:30 (c. adverb accusative קוֺלֵךְ); usually joy, praise ("" רָנַן) Isaiah 12:6; Isaiah 54:1, with ב at, over, Jeremiah 31:7; Isaiah 24:14; + שָׂמֵ֑חָה Esther 8:15.

II. [צָהַל] verb Hiph`il make shining (Late Hebrew id. (rare); "" form of צהר, denominative from צהרים); — Infinitive construct לְהַצְהִיל מָּנִים מִשָּׁ֑מֶן Psalm 104:15.

צהר

(√of following; compare Arabic appear, mount, back, midday; Assyrian ƒêru (Tel Amarna zu°ru, etc.), back; Aramaic טִיהֲרָא, MI¹⁵ הצהרם, midday; Lang^{BN 129}; > Kö^{ii. 1, 93} (compare Thes) = shine, "" זהר, Late Hebrew Hiph`il (rare), for this is in Aramaic צהר (rare)); הִצְהִיר Ecclus 43:3is denominative from צהרים.

Overview

The verb צָהַל gathers into one word the ideas of vibrant sound and radiant brightness. Whether used of a city celebrating deliverance, worshipers lifting their voices, oil causing a face to gleam, or horses neighing, it always conveys an energetic outburst that cannot be hidden. Scripture therefore employs the term at decisive moments when inner feeling must break into audible or visible expression.

A cry of triumph and radiant joy

Most occurrences depict audible rejoicing. When Mordecai is exalted, “the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced” (Esther 8:15). The restoration of Zion elicits the summons, “Cry out and sing, O citizen of Zion, for great among you is the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 12:6). The tone is never half-hearted; צָהַל presumes full-throated exultation rooted in God’s mighty acts. Psalm 104:15 broadens the nuance: anointed oil “makes his face to shine,” showing that the same root can describe visible radiance. Both usages point to the comprehensive gladness God intends for His people—joy that is heard and seen.

Occurrences and thematic groupings

1. National deliverance and civic joy: Esther 8:15; Jeremiah 31:7.
2. Corporate worship and prophetic summons: Isaiah 10:30; Isaiah 12:6; Isaiah 24:14; Isaiah 54:1.
3. Personal blessing: Psalm 104:15.
4. Negative or ironic usage: Jeremiah 5:8; Jeremiah 50:11.

Celebratory shouts in national deliverance

After Haman’s fall, Persia’s capital bursts into צָהַל. This public acclamation signals not only relief but affirmation that the Lord rules the affairs of empires. Jeremiah 31:7 looks ahead to a greater redemption: “Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations.” Here צָהַל is commanded as the fitting response to God’s promise of covenant renewal. In both cases the shout is communal, underscoring that salvation is never merely private.

Liturgical use in worship

Isaiah’s prophecies repeatedly root צָהַל in the gathered praise of Zion. The barren woman is told, “break forth in song and cry aloud” (Isaiah 54:1), previewing Gentile inclusion and multiplied spiritual offspring. Isaiah 24:14 pictures worldwide worship—voices rising from the west proclaiming the Lord’s majesty. These texts legitimize exuberant praise as more than emotion; it is obedience to divine command.

Prophetic exhortation and eschatological hope

Isaiah 10:30’s urgent “Cry aloud, O daughter of Gallim!” warns of impending Assyrian advance yet still uses the vocabulary of shout. The same verb later heralds consummate joy. The pattern reveals a prophetic rhythm: warning precedes comfort, but both are announced with uncompromising clarity. צָהַל thus becomes a pledge that every prophetic promise—whether judgment or restoration—will one day be undeniable.

Metaphor for disordered passion

Jeremiah twice employs the verb in a negative sense. In 5:8 lust-driven men are compared to stallions “neighing after his neighbor’s wife,” and in 50:11 Babylon is condemned for cruel gloating, “you…neigh like stallions.” The imagery exposes unrestrained appetite detached from righteousness. Joy detached from the fear of the Lord degenerates into animalistic craving. These passages balance the term’s usual positivity and caution against counterfeit exultation.

Historical background

Ancient Near Eastern culture marked victories, royal proclamations, and seasonal festivals with public shouting and song. Hebrew worship similarly featured antiphonal singing and trumpet blasts. צָהַל fits this cultural fabric yet acquires unique theological weight: Israel’s shout is covenantal, grounded in the revealed character of God rather than mere civic pride.

Ministry implications today

1. Corporate worship should allow space for wholehearted verbal and visible praise. Biblical precedent endorses volume and exuberance when directed to God’s glory.
2. Leaders can encourage believers to “cry aloud” in intercession for revival, following Jeremiah 31:7’s pattern of petition mingled with praise.
3. Personal devotion benefits from consciously reflecting joy; countenance and speech alike ought to “shine.”
4. Pastors must also warn against the hollow celebration exemplified by Babylon—rejoicing in sinful gain. Genuine צָהַל proceeds from a heart aligned with God’s purposes.

Conclusion

Wherever צָהַל appears, the Bible portrays an overflow—of gladness, warning, or even perversion. The believer is invited to embrace its positive force, allowing redeemed hearts to break forth in praise that is as audible as it is authentic, “for great among you is the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 12:6).

וְצַהֲל֖וּ וְצַהֲלִי֙ וְתִצְהֲל֖וּ וצהלו וצהלי ותצהלו יִצְהָֽלוּ׃ יצהלו׃ לְהַצְהִ֣יל להצהיל צַהֲלִ֥י צָהֲל֖וּ צָהֲלָ֖ה צהלה צהלו צהלי lə·haṣ·hîl ləhaṣhîl lehatzHil ṣā·hă·lāh ṣa·hă·lî ṣā·hă·lū ṣāhălāh ṣahălî ṣāhălū tzahaLah tzahaLi tzahaLu vetitzhaLu vetzahaLi vetzahaLu wə·ṣa·hă·lî wə·ṣa·hă·lū wə·ṯiṣ·hă·lū wəṣahălî wəṣahălū wəṯiṣhălū yiṣ·hā·lū yiṣhālū yitzHaluInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts