The Bible has numerous commands to praise God. Both Jews and Gentiles as well as all living things including plants and animals are invited to praise God. For instance, in Psalm 150, the Psalmist says that everything that has breath should praise the Lord. But for us to effectively praise God, we must start by understanding what the Bible means by praise – and a good place to start is by doing a Hebrew word study. So, what are the 7 Hebrew words for praise?
The Jewish people in the Old Testament praised God in various ways, resulting in several unique names that all help us express our adoration for God. The seven Hebrew words they used for praise are hallel, shabach, tehillah, barak, towdah, yadah and zamar.
Let us take a closer look at each of these.
Hallel: Extravagant Praise
Hallel is a Hebrew word that means to praise extravagantly or to express joy. Often, the Hebrew word of praise hallel combines with the name of God to show to whom we are directing the praise or to portray further why we are praising.
That’s because the name of the Lord reveals a specific characteristic. For instance, if you want to praise God because He is a creator, you would say praise Yahweh; if you want to praise God for being your provider, you’ll say praise Jehovah Jireh. Hence, we can praise God by calling His name. The Bible says in Psalms 148:13: Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.”
Extravagant praise is seen when David brought the ark to Jerusalem. Often, we don’t let loose and praise fully with all our hearts because we are afraid of what others might think of us. However, David, absorbed in extravagant praise (hallel) did not care if he looked undignified. He was not afraid of giving God extravagant praise.
Zamar: Praise With Musical Instruments
When translated, Zamar means to praise God through music or instruments. According to the Hebrew Dictionary, Zamar, pronounced as zaw-mar’, has three meanings:
- To sing praise or sing
- To play a musical instrument
- To make music
As a primitive root, the meaning of zamar is related to singing forth praises or touching the strings or parts of an instrument to make music. Examples of where the Hebrew word Zamar is used in the Bible include:
- Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name (Psalm 30:4).
- My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples (Psalm 57:7-9).
The power of musical instruments is illustrated in the Bible, where David would play the lyre with his hand, and the evil spirits tormenting Saul would go away (1 Samuel 16:23).
Yadah: Praise With Extended Hands
Yadah, pronounced “Yaw-daw,” comes from two root words: YAD, which means open hand, and AH, which refers to Jehovah. When the two words are combined, they translate to praise with extended hands.
Two examples where the word yadah is used in scripture include:
- I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name, I will lift up my hands (Psalm 63:4).
- May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord, when they hear what you have decreed (Psalm 138:4).
Tehillah: Joyful Praise
This Hebrew word means joyful or song of praise. It’s the type of praise that involves singing, shouting, and making holy noise using instruments. In the Bible, the first tehillah is seen when the Israelites break into praise by singing after seeing the Egyptians were killed by the waters of the Red Sea.
Examples in the Bible where the word tehillah is used include:
- The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song, I praise him (Psalm 28:7)
- Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts (Psalm 105:2).
Barak: Praise By Kneeling
Barak, pronounced baw-rak’, is a Hebrew word that means to praise or to kneel. When translated, it also means to bless. Kneeling is a way to show humility, respect, and submission to God. It’s also a physical act of adoration and complete surrender. Barak is the opposite of Halal (unrestrained, exuberant, and joyful praise). Praising God while kneeling is often associated with bearing a heavy burden. Its praise offered in difficult circumstances, such as persecution, suffering, or trials.
Examples in the Bible where the word barak is used include Psalm 30:1-4 and Psalm 34:1
Todah: Praise Through Thanksgiving
Todah is a Hebrew word that means praise and thanksgiving. When translated literally, it means giving praise by thanking God for all that He has done. Examples of where todah is used in the Bible include:
- We, your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation, we will recount your praise (Psalm 79:13).
- Let us come before His Presence with thanksgiving (todah), and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms (Psalm 95:2).
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name (Psalm 100:4).
While this thanksgiving praise was mostly mentioned in the Old Testament, its message is reiterated in the New Testament, where God commands us to offer a sacrifice of praise called the fruit of our lips (Hebrews 13:15). A praise of thanksgiving is often given by someone whose prayer has been answered and those who want to proclaim the goodness of God or to show recognition that everything we have is a gift from Jehovah Jireh.
Shabach: Loud Praise
Shabach is a Hebrew word for praise that also means to address in a loud tone. When translated, it also means to laud, commend, or give a triumphant shout of praise. -Examples of where shabach is used in the Bible include:
Every day I will praise you and extol your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts (Psalm 145:2-4).
- Extol the Lord, Jerusalem; praise your God, Zion (Psalm 147:12 ).
- A good example of where a shabach is seen in the Bible is when the walls of Jericho came down after the people of Israel gave a mighty shout (Joshua 6:20).
Unlike the English language which has one word of praise, there are seven Hebrew words for praise: halal, tehillah, yadah, todah, barak, zamar, and shabach. Each Hebrew word for praise has a distinct meaning that provides insight into different ways of praising God, be it by kneeling, dancing, shouting, or including a musical instrument.
Biblia ina amri nyingi za kumsifu Mungu. Wayahudi na watu wa mataifa mengine, na viumbe wote walio hai, pamoja na mimea na wanyama, wanaalikwa kumsifu Mungu. "Kwa mfano, katika Zaburi 150:1, 2 mtunga-zaburi anasema: ""Kila kitu kilicho na pumzi na kimsifu BWANA.""" Lakini ili tuweze kumsifu Mungu kwa ufanisi, ni lazima tuanze kwa kuelewa kile ambacho Biblia inamaanisha kwa sifa <unk> na mahali pazuri pa kuanza ni kwa kufanya utafiti wa neno la Kiebrania. "Kwa hiyo, maneno hayo saba ya Kiebrania yanamaanisha nini?""" Wayahudi katika Agano la Kale walimsifu Mungu kwa njia mbalimbali, na hivyo kupata majina kadhaa ya pekee ambayo yanatusaidia sisi sote kumsifu Mungu. "Neno saba za Kiebrania ambazo walitumia kwa ajili ya sifa ni ""Haleli,"" ""Shabeki,"" ""Tehila,"" ""Barak,"" ""Todah,"" ""Yada,"" na ""Zamar.""" Hebu tuchunguze kila moja ya mambo hayo kwa makini zaidi. "Haleli ni neno la Kiebrania linalomaanisha ""kusifiwa kwa wingi"" au ""kuonyesha shangwe.""" "Kama neno la Kiebrania haleli linatumiwa kwa mara ya kwanza katika Biblia, linamaanisha ""mwenye sisi tumsifu"" au ""mwenye sisi tumsifu.""" Hiyo ni kwa sababu jina la Bwana linafunua sifa fulani hususa. Kwa mfano, ikiwa unataka kumsifu Mungu kwa sababu Yeye ni muumba, utasema kumsifu Yahweh; ikiwa unataka kumsifu Mungu kwa kuwa mtoaji wako, utasema kumsifu Yahweh Jireh. Kwa hiyo, tunaweza kumsifu Mungu kwa kuliita jina lake. "Zaburi 148:13 inasema: ""Na walisifu jina la BWANA, kwa maana jina lake peke yake ni bora; utukufu wake ni juu ya nchi na mbinguni."" (Zaburi 148:13) Kwa sababu ya sifa hiyo, Yehova aliweka sanduku la agano la Mungu juu ya Daudi." Mara nyingi, hatupumziki na kusifu kikamili kwa mioyo yetu yote kwa sababu tunaogopa kile wengine wanaweza kufikiri juu yetu. Hata hivyo, Daudi, akiwa amechukuliwa na sifa za kupita kiasi (hallel) hakujali kama alionekana asiye na heshima. Hakuogopa kumsifu Mungu kwa njia ya kupita kiasi. "Zamar: ""Kutumia ala za muziki kumsifu Mungu""" "Kwa mujibu wa Kamusi ya Kiebrania, neno Zamar, linalotamkwa kama ""za-mar,"" lina maana tatu: ""kuimba sifa au kuimba,"" ""kucheza ala ya muziki,"" ""kufanya muziki.""" "Mfano wa neno la Kiebrania ""Zama"" katika Biblia ni: ""Mwimbeni BWANA sifa, enyi watakatifu wake, na kumshukuru jina lake takatifu.""" Moyo wangu, Ee Mungu, umedumu, moyo wangu umedumu; nitaimba na kupiga muziki. Amka, nafsi yangu! Amkeni, ala na kinubi! Nitaamsha mapambazuko. Nitakushukuru, Ee Bwana, miongoni mwa mataifa; Nitakuimba miongoni mwa watu (Zaburi 57: 7-9). "Kama vile ilivyo katika Biblia, Daudi alionyesha nguvu za ala za muziki kwa kupiga kinubi kwa mkono wake, na roho mbaya zilizomtendea Sauli vibaya ziliondoka.""" "Yada (kushukuru kwa mikono iliyoinuliwa) ni neno la Kiebrania linalotokana na neno ""Yada"" linalomaanisha ""kinywa"" na ""Aha"" linalomaanisha ""Yehova.""" Maneno hayo mawili yanapochanganywa, yanatafsiriwa kuwa sifa kwa mikono iliyoinuliwa. "Mfano mmoja wa neno la Mungu ""YHWH"" katika Biblia ni Zaburi 63:4: ""Nitakusifu maadamu ni hai, na kwa jina lako nitainua mikono yangu.""" "Mfalme wote wa dunia na wakutukuze, Ee BWANA, watakaposikia yale uliyoamuru."" - Zaburi 138:4." "Tehillah: ""Wimbo wa Shangwe"" Neno hili la Kiebrania linamaanisha ""wimbo wa furaha.""" Ni aina ya sifa inayohusisha kuimba, kupiga kelele, na kutokeza kelele takatifu kwa kutumia ala za muziki. Katika Biblia, tahillah ya kwanza inaonekana wakati Waisraeli wanapovunja katika sifa kwa kuimba baada ya kuona Wamisri waliuawa na maji ya Bahari Nyekundu. "Mfano wa neno hili katika Biblia ni ""Tehillah"" (Yehova ni nguvu yangu na ngao yangu, moyo wangu unamwamini, naye ananisaidia)." Moyo wangu unaruka kwa furaha, nami nitamsifu kwa wimbo wangu (Zaburi 28:7) - Mwimbeni, mwimbeni sifa; mwelezeni matendo yake yote ya ajabu (Zaburi 105: 2). "Barak: ""Kushukuru"" kwa kupiga magoti Baraka, hutamkwa baw-rak<unk>, ni neno la Kiebrania linalomaanisha ""kusifiwa"" au ""kuinama.""" Linapotafsiriwa, linamaanisha pia kubariki. Kuanguka magoti ni njia ya kuonyesha unyenyekevu, heshima, na kujitiisha kwa Mungu. Pia ni tendo la kimwili la kuabudu na kujisalimisha kabisa. Baraka ni kinyume cha Halal (sifa isiyo na vizuizi, yenye msisimko, na yenye shangwe). Kumsifu Mungu huku ukipiga magoti mara nyingi huhusianishwa na kubeba mzigo mzito. Sifa hiyo ilitolewa katika hali ngumu, kama vile mateso, mateso, au majaribu. "Kwa mfano, katika Biblia, neno ""baraka"" linatumiwa katika Zaburi 30:1-4 na Zaburi 34:1-2 na katika Zaburi 34:1-2 na Zaburi 34:1-2 na Zaburi 34:1-2 na Zaburi 34:1-2 na Zaburi 34:1-3." "Kutokana na tafsiri ya neno hilo, neno hilo linamaanisha ""kumsifu Mungu kwa kumshukuru kwa yote aliyofanya.""" "Mfano wa neno ""Toda"" katika Biblia ni: ""Sisi, watu wako, kondoo wa malisho yako, tutakushukuru milele; kutoka kizazi hadi kizazi tutasimulia sifa yako.""" "Tusimame mbele zake kwa shukrani, na kumshangilia kwa nyimbo za shangwe."" - Zaburi 95:2." "Ningeni milango yake kwa shukrani, na nyua zake kwa sifa; mshukuru, msifu jina lake.""" "Hata kama sifa hii ya shukrani ilitajwa hasa katika Agano la Kale, ujumbe wake unarejeshwa katika Agano Jipya, ambapo Mungu anatuamuru kutoa dhabihu ya sifa inayoitwa ""matunda ya midomo yetu"" (Waebrania 13:15)." "Mwisho wa shukrani kwa Mungu ni ""mwenye maombi yake yamejibiwa"" na ""mwenye kutangaza wema wa Mungu au kuonyesha utambuzi kwamba kila kitu tunacho ni zawadi kutoka kwa Yehova.""" "Shab'a ni neno la Kiebrania linalomaanisha ""kusifiwa,"" na linamaanisha ""kuzungumza kwa sauti kubwa.""" Linapotafsiriwa, linamaanisha pia kusifu, kupongeza, au kupiga kelele ya sifa kwa ushindi. "Mfano wa neno ""shabalah"" katika Biblia ni ""Siku zote nitakutukuza na kulisifu jina lako milele na milele.""" Bwana ni mkuu, na anastahili sifa nyingi; Utukufu wake hakuna awezaye kuufahamu. Kizazi kimoja huisifu kazi zako kwa kizazi kingine; husimulia matendo yako ya nguvu (Zaburi 145:2-4). "Msifu BWANA, Ee Yerusalemu; Msifu Mungu wako, Ee Sayuni."" - Zaburi 147:12." Mfano mzuri wa shaba katika Biblia ni wakati kuta za Yeriko zilipoanguka baada ya watu wa Israeli kupiga kelele kwa nguvu (Yoshua 6:20). "Kama ilivyo katika lugha ya Kiebrania, kuna maneno saba ya Kiebrania yanayotafsiriwa kwa maneno ya kipekee: ""halal,"" ""tehillah,"" ""yadah,"" ""todah,"" ""barak,"" ""zamar,"" na ""shabakh.""" "Kila neno la Kiebrania linalotumiwa kwa neno ""sifa"" lina maana tofauti, na hilo linatuonyesha njia tofauti-tofauti za kumsifu Mungu, iwe ni kwa kupiga magoti, kucheza dansi, kupiga kelele, au kutumia ala ya muziki."