Lexical Summary gilah: Joy, Rejoicing Original Word: גִּילָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance joy, rejoicing Or giylath {ghee-lath'}; feminine of giyl; joy -- joy, rejoicing. see HEBREW giyl NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfem. of gil Definition a rejoicing NASB Translation rejoicing (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs גִּילָה noun feminine rejoicing Isaiah 65:18, גִּילַת וְרַנֵּן Isaiah 35:2 (verbal noun for Infinitive absolute compare De Di; construct before וְ Ges§ 130. 2; but read probably גִּילָה); הַגִּילָה read Isaiah 9:2 for הַגּוֺי לֹא by Krochm Che RS Di. Topical Lexicon Overview גִּילָה (gîlâh) denotes a state of exuberant rejoicing. The term captures more than momentary happiness; it conveys a sustained, communal celebration that springs from divine intervention and anticipated fulfillment of God’s promises. Both canonical appearances occur in visionary oracles of Isaiah that look beyond present distress to covenantal restoration. Occurrences in Scripture • Isaiah 35:2 links גִּילָה to the promised renewal of creation: “It will bloom abundantly and even rejoice with joy and singing; the glory of Lebanon will be given to it… They will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God”. Here, the wilderness itself becomes the congregation that erupts in joyful praise. Historical and Cultural Context Isaiah ministered amid national turmoil, including Assyrian aggression and later Babylonian captivity. Against this backdrop, גִּילָה promised a reversal of lament. Ancient Israel expressed communal emotion through public rites—processions, singing, clapping, and dancing. The term therefore evokes liturgical gatherings at Zion, agricultural festivals, and victory celebrations after battle. Isaiah employs the word to assure exiles that such occasions of festal joy will return in superlative measure. Theological Significance 1. Covenant Faithfulness: גִּילָה presupposes God’s unwavering commitment to His people. The wilderness blooms and Jerusalem is recreated precisely because the LORD keeps His covenant mercy. Practical Ministry Application • Preaching and Teaching: These passages encourage believers to cultivate hope-based joy, especially in seasons of collective hardship. Sermons can show how rejoicing is an act of faith, declaring trust in God’s promises before they materialize. Christological and Eschatological Hope New Testament writers echo Isaiah’s vision, grounding ultimate joy in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Luke 2:10–11 announces “good news of great joy” at His birth; Revelation 21:2–4 describes the New Jerusalem where God wipes away every tear. These parallels suggest that גִּילָה in Isaiah foreshadows the Messianic age inaugurated in Christ and consummated at His return. Related Concepts and New Testament Echoes • Simchah (joy) and Rinnah (shout of joy) expand the semantic field in Hebrew worship language. Together they demonstrate the thematic continuity of joy across the Testaments, reinforcing that rejoicing is both a present command and a future certainty rooted in God’s redemptive plan. Forms and Transliterations גִּילַ֣ת גִּילָ֖ה גילה גילת gî·lāh gî·laṯ giLah gîlāh giLat gîlaṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 35:2 HEB: וְתָגֵ֗ל אַ֚ף גִּילַ֣ת וְרַנֵּ֔ן כְּב֤וֹד NAS: And rejoice with rejoicing and shout of joy. KJV: and rejoice even with joy and singing: INT: and rejoice with rejoicing and shout the glory Isaiah 65:18 2 Occurrences |
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