Lexical Summary agalliasis: Exultation, great joy, gladness Original Word: ἀγαλλίασις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance gladness, exceeding joy. From agalliao; exultation; specially, welcome -- gladness, (exceeding) joy. see GREEK agalliao HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 20 agallíasis (from 21 /agalliáō, "to exalt") – exuberant joy; "intense joy and gladness" (L&N, 1, 25.132; "exultant joy" (WS, 135). See 21 (agalliaō). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom agalliaó Definition exultation, exuberant joy NASB Translation gladness (3), great joy (1), joy (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 20: ἀγαλλίασιςἀγαλλίασις, (εως, ἡ (ἀγαλλιάω), not used by secular writers but often by the Sept.; exultation, extreme joy: Luke 1:14, 44; Acts 2:46; Jude 1:24; Hebrews 1:9 (from Psalm 44:8 Topical Lexicon Essence of the WordThe term expresses a Spirit-wrought, God-centered jubilation that rises above mere emotion and anchors itself in divine purpose. It speaks of joy not as self-gratification but as a response to God’s saving acts and fellowship with Him. Old Testament Roots Though the noun appears only in the New Testament, the concept permeates the Psalms (Psalm 45:7; 51:12) and Prophets (Isaiah 61:3), where joyous exultation accompanies salvation and covenant faithfulness. These passages anticipate Messiah’s reign and the Spirit’s outpouring, providing the theological soil in which New-Testament usage grows. Joy in the Advent Narrative (Luke 1:14, 44) In Luke 1 the word frames the dawning of redemption history. Gabriel’s promise concerning John the Baptist—“He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth” (Luke 1:14)—links prophetic fulfillment with communal gladness. When Elizabeth testifies, “the baby in my womb leaped for joy” (Luke 1:44), prenatal John responds to Mary’s arrival as the Christ-bearer. The joy here is both personal (Elizabeth’s household) and redemptive-historical (the forerunner heralding Messiah). Joy in Early Church Worship (Acts 2:46) After Pentecost Luke records that believers were “eating their food with gladness and sincerity of heart” (Acts 2:46). The same word that announced John’s birth now characterizes daily fellowship. Joy signifies the arrival of the promised Spirit (Acts 2:33) and validates the church’s communal life before a watching world (Acts 2:47). It is missional—drawing outsiders to “the Lord who added to their number day by day.” Joy and Messianic Kingship (Hebrews 1:9) Hebrews cites Psalm 45 to declare of the Son, “God, your God, has anointed You above Your companions with the oil of joy” (Hebrews 1:9). The anointing oil symbolizes royal inauguration; the accompanying joy underscores the righteousness of Christ’s reign. His exaltation inaugurates an unending kingdom whose citizens share His covenant gladness (Hebrews 12:22-24). Joy in Eschatological Assurance (Jude 1:24) Jude closes with a doxology that envisions final presentation “with great joy.” The word crowns the believer’s journey—from new-covenant inauguration in Acts to consummation before God’s glory. This eschatological joy is rooted in divine preservation; God not only saves but keeps His people until they stand faultless in eternal celebration. Doctrinal Themes 1. Trinitarian Source: The Father purposes joy, the Son embodies it, and the Spirit mediates it (Galatians 5:22). Practical Ministry Implications • Worship Planning: Incorporate testimonies of salvation and scriptural promises to cultivate Spirit-born rejoicing. Related New-Testament Motifs • “Rejoice always” (1 Thessalonians 5:16): the imperative complement to the noun. In every context Strong’s Greek 20 testifies that authentic Christian joy is birthed by God’s redemptive initiative, sustained by the Spirit, and destined for consummation in the unveiled presence of the Triune God. Forms and Transliterations αγαλλιασει αγαλλιάσει ἀγαλλιάσει αγαλλιασεως αγαλλιάσεως ἀγαλλιάσεως αγαλλίασιν αγαλλιασις αγαλλίασις ἀγαλλίασις agalliasei agalliásei agalliaseos agalliaseōs agalliáseos agalliáseōs agalliasis agallíasisLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 1:14 N-NFSGRK: σοι καὶ ἀγαλλίασις καὶ πολλοὶ NAS: You will have joy and gladness, and many KJV: joy and gladness; and many INT: to you and gladness and many Luke 1:44 N-DFS Acts 2:46 N-DFS Hebrews 1:9 N-GFS Jude 1:24 N-DFS Strong's Greek 20 |
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