The word selah is found in only two books of the Bible. Selah may mean to lift up, rise, or to strike up with the instruments or voices. Selah, King James Bible Dictionary. In the Bible, the word, “Selah,” appears 75 times—71 times in Psalms, 3 times in Habakkuk, and once in 2 Kings 14:7. Selah. Holzinger interprets it as "man of the javelin": Hommel prefers "man of Selah," Selah being the Hebraized form of the Babylonian Sarrahu (i.e. Its most striking characteristic lies in the superscription ("A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, set to Shigionoth"), the subscription ("For the chief musician, on my stringed instruments"), and the insertion of the musical term "Selah" in three places (v. Selah Jewelry: One-of-a-kind rings fashioned with tri-colored swirled designs for your perfect day. What is a maskil in the Book of Psalms? General Editor. How can I let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to … Selah is defined as a Hebrew word that has been found at the ending of verses in Psalms and has been interpreted as an instruction calling for a break in the singing of the Psalm or it may mean "forever." Stop Your Fighting. The name Shelah is likely meant to bring to mind the word שלו “disappointment” (see, e.g., 2Kings 4:28). When the Old Testament was first translated into Greek, they translated the Hebrew word selah to the Greek word diapsalma, which means “musical interlude.” In my opinion, if the Old Hebrew translators thought selah means “musical interlude,” it’s probably the closest definition. Selah definition is - —a term of uncertain meaning found in the Hebrew text of the Psalms and Habakkuk carried over untranslated into some English versions. Selah. Selah is a Hebrew word that literally means “to lift up, or exalt”. The word Selah is a Hebrew word that occurs seventy-one times in the book of Psalms and three times in Habakkuk. A word frequently found in the Book of Psalms, and also in Habakkuk 3:9, 13, about seventy-four times in all in Scripture.Its meaning is doubtful. The mysterious word Selah is an expletive of similar gist as the familiar words Amen and Hallelujah, with as main distinction that we don't really know what Selah means or what function it might have had. In modern synagogues, some rabbis use it to cue repetition or to change the tone when chanting the psalm. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2021, Bible Study Tools. (3) Nehemiah 3:15 = "Shiloah" of Isaiah 8:6. He gave his name to the family of the Shelanites ( Numbers 26:20 )). An example of Selah is seeing the term used seventy-one times in the Psalms in the Hebrew Bible. THE SELAH PSALMS WHAT DOES SELAH MEAN? The proper form of the name of Salah. (1) The youngest son of Judah and the daughter of Shua the Canaanite (Genesis 38:5,11,14,26; 46:12; Numbers 26:20); 1 Chronicles 2:3; 4:21). Selah is a word used 74 times in the Hebrew Bible—seventy-one times in the Psalms and three times in the Book of Habakkuk. What does “selah” mean in the Bible? What does selah mean in the Bible? Where is Selah in the Bible? hat does the word Selah mean? 22 The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, and Aram. "3:9, 13, about seventy-four times in all in Scripture. In contemporary use, the word selah is used to stress the importance of what has been said, and often is a sort of … 21 To Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the elder brother of Japheth, children were born. More correctly translated as “Sela” it refers to a strong city and even the capital city of Edom which is surrounded by mountains. The seventy-one appearances in … Selah occurs 74 times in the Bible. Bibliography Information The son or (Septuagint) grandson of Arpachshad and father of Eber (Genesis 10:24; 11:13; [12],14,15; 1 Chronicles 1:18,24; Luke 3:35). What does the source Hebrew word סֶלָה mean and how is it used in the Bible? Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. "Entry for 'SHELAH'". Have you wondered what this means or why is it mentioned in these books of the Bible? Another proposal is that selah can be used to i… It is probably a term which had a meaning in the musical nomenclature of the Hebrews, though what that meaning may have been is … The musical notes found in the titles of the psalms and occasionally also in the text (Selah, 1 Higgaion) are so obscure that it seems unnecessary to enter here upon the various conjectures that have been made about them. The meaning of the word is not known, though various interpretations are given below. The word ‘Selah’ appears seventy-four times in forty Psalms and three times in Habakkuk 3 as a marginal note or musical instruction. 1915. The version of Selah in 2 Kings 14:7 is translated from a different Hebrew word, sela’ , which according to the Strong Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries, refer to Sela, the rock city of Idumaea. The world “Selah” is a Hebrew word found in the original texts of the bible. Psalm 46:10 is rendered in the CSB as “Stop your fighting, and know that I am … 24 Arpachshad fathered Shelah; and Shelah fathered Eber. Bible Dictionaries - Easton's Bible Dictionary - Shelah, Bible Dictionaries - Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary - Shelah, Bible Dictionaries - Smith's Bible Dictionary - Shelah, Encyclopedias - International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Shelah, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The Amplified Bible translates selah as “pause, and think of that.” It can also be used as a form of underlining in preparation for the next paragraph. It is found in the psalms 71 times and it’s also found in the book of Habakkuk chapter 3, but only three times. ( 1 Chronicles 1:18 1 Chronicles 1:24 ). ", A Hebrew word of unknown meaning at the end of verses in the Psalms: perhaps a musical direction, but traditionally interpreted as a blessing meaning “forever”. He gave his name to the family of the Shelanites (Numbers 26:20)). Some interpret it as meaning "silence" or "pause;" others, "end," "a louder strain," "piano," etc. before 1706.) of We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. Selah – Habakkuk 3:9. she'-la (shelah; Sala): (1) The youngest son of Judah and the daughter of Shua the Canaanite ( Genesis 38:5,11,14,26; 46:12; Numbers 26:20 ); 1 Chronicles 2:3; 4:21 ). Copyright © 2020 LoveToKnow. It is a city in Edom, excavated in the rocks, with palaces, dwellings, tombs and amphitheater and to be approached only from the e., through a rocky defile 1 1/2 ms. in length, called the Sik, i. e. the Cleft, its sides being from 100 to 300 ft. in height. Selah "A word frequently found in the Book of Psalms, and also in Hab." Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. According to the Bible, Shelah/Shela (Hebrew: שֵׁלָה ‎, Modern: Shela, Tiberian: Šēlā, meaning "petition") was the youngest brother among Judah's first three sons, and was born at Chezib.. Biblical narrative. Jones' Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names disagrees with all these obvious similarities, and takes the name Shelah to be a syncopated (= shortened by omitting the letter in the middle) form of the noun שאלה ( she'ela ), meaning request or petition: "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". All Rights Reserved, A word occurring between verses or paragraphs in parts of the, Selah is defined as a Hebrew word that has been found at the ending of verses in Psalms and has been interpreted as an instruction calling for a break in the singing of the Psalm or it may mean "forever. The other uses of the word “Selah” in the Bible are the ones on which we will focus our studies. SELAH, or Sela, called now Petra, both names mean "rock"; mentioned twice, 2 Kings 14:7 (Selah), Is. The first mention of “Selah” in the Bible is in 2 Kings 14:7 where King Joash conquered the city of Selah which was located in Edom. Here is Selah in the Bible. If we don’t know the exact meaning of the word Selah, then it begs the question of if it matters whether we study about it today or not, or if it does carry any relevance to us Bible readers and Christians today. Selah – Habakkuk 3:13. The youngest son of Judah. The Septuagint is significant because it was completed in 2 nd Century BCE and was quoted by the Apostle Paul. Some say the purpose of this pause was to allow the listeners … Why does the word “selah” occur several times in some of the Psalms? Selah, suspension (of music), i.e., pause Hebrew: סֶלָה, selâ (H5542) 74 King James Bible Verses. It is probably either a liturgico-musical mark or an instruction on the reading of the text, with the meaning of "stop and listen." Selah This word, which is found only in the poetical books of the Old Testament, occurs seventy-one times in the Psalms and three times in Habakkuk. As the Latin saying goes, “a name is a sign” ( nomen est omen ). One possible Hebrew word related to selah is calah, which means “to hang” or “to measure or weigh in the balances.” Selah essentially signifies a “pause”, “reflect” or “interlude.” (It should not be confused with the Hebrew word 'sela`' (סֶלַע) meaning "rock", or in an adjectival form, "like a rock": firm, hard, heavy.) You crushed the head of the house of the wicked, laying him bare from thigh to neck. Well-meaning Bible scholars disagree on the definition of selah and on its root word, but since God has ordained that it be included in His Word, we should make an effort to find out, as best we can, the meaning. ( Genesis 38:5 Genesis 38:11 Genesis 38:14 Genesis 38:26 ; 46:10 ; Numbers 26:20 ; 1 Chronicles 2:3 ; 4:21 ) (B.C. In the story, the disappointment is that Shelah never marries Tamar and fathers sons for his deceased brothers. An example of Selah is seeing the term used seventy-one times in the Psalms in the Hebrew Bible. 23 The sons of Aram: Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash. Higgaion. 16:1 (Sela). There has been much conjecture and speculation by some theologians, and due in no small part to this speculation, Christians are frequently confused as to the true meaning of this word. Proud member Well-meaning Bible scholars disagree on the definition of selah and on its root word, but since God has ordained that it be included in His Word, we should make an effort to find out, as best we can, the meaning. What does selah mean in the Bible? (a petition ). The first time we see the word Selah in the Bible is in 2 Kings 14:7. Most of its occurrences are in … Its" "meaning is doubtful. What Does Selah Mean by Tony Warren. When used in the Psalms, which were sung rather than spoken, it marked a place where the singers were to pause for an instrumental interlude. Some interpret it as meaning "silence" or" "pause; others, … Orr, James, M.A., D.D. The Lord has made himself known; he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. Selah is translated as “intermission” in the Septuagint (LXX) which is the earliest Greek translation of the Old Testament. Below are the English definition details. Its meaning isn’t exactly known; however, given its context, many scholars believe it can be translated to “intermission” or “interlude” ( What Does Selah Mean in the Bible ), and it is often associated with choral works in scripture. Salem Media Group. Where do the Hebrew Scriptures prophesy the death and resurrection of the Messiah? Probably "the Shelanite" should be substituted for "the Shilonite" of Nehemiah 11:5; 1 Chronicles 9:5. The Arabic equivalent is known as “Petra”, also called so by the Greeks and in English we know it to mean rock. A female given name derived from the biblical interjection (possibly mistaken for a name) . You went out for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of your anointed. 1 Of the various explanations that have been given of Selah the only one which possesses any probability is that given independently by Baethgen and others, viz. And she yet again conceived, and bare a son; and called his name Shelah: and he was at Chezib, when she bare him. Selah occurs three times in the Shigionoth-based prayer of the prophet Habakkuk (Habakkuk 3), and seventy-one times in thirty-nine Psalms. The name Shelah (שלה) means all of the above, but would probably be interpreted to mean either Prosperity or Booty. I remember as a new Christian reading through Psalms and wondering what this word selah meant. One possible Hebrew word related to selah is calah, which means “to hang” or “to measure or weigh in the balances.” a word frequently found in the Book of Psalms, and also in Habakkuk 3:9 Habakkuk 3:13, about seventy-four times in all in Scripture.Its meaning is doubtful. 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