5542. selah
Lexicon
selah: Selah

Original Word: סֶלָה
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: celah
Pronunciation: seh-lah
Phonetic Spelling: (seh'-law)
Definition: Selah
Meaning: suspension, pause

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Selah

From calah; suspension (of music), i.e. Pause -- Selah.

see HEBREW calah

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from salal
Definition
to lift up, exalt
NASB Translation
Selah (74).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
סֶ֑לָה verb lift up (voices in ברוך לעולם), or exalt (׳לעולם י) (Imperative of סָלַל (compare Proverbs 4:8; Psalm 68:5; חִגָּיוֺן סלה Psalm 9:17, see ׳הִגּ), properly סֹ֑לָּה, סֶ֑לֶה possibly Qr = נֶצַה, Hexapla σελ but compare הֶ֑רָה Ew554ii. 1, 539; ᵐ5 Symm Theod διάψαλμα, explanation Suidas μέλους ἐναλλαγή; Theodoret, Hippolytus μέλους μεταβολή (compare Hexapla Habakkuk 3:3 μεταβολὴ δια ψάλματος; Syriac, Hexapla Aq עוניתא in 5 Psalms, Field in Psalm 38:12); ᵐ5 adds διάψαλμα e.g. Psalm 2:2; Psalm 34:11; Psalm 94:15, after final editing of Hebrew Psalter; so Psalms of Solomon 17:31; 18:10 on same principles as in MT; used therefore with full knowledge that it indicated some kind of interruption or change in the regular rendering. סלה is used in שמונה עשרה after Benedictions 3, 18, and after other early Jewish prayers, shewing knowledge, approximately ; Aq gives αἐί (Theod. also Psalm 9:17); Sexta διαπαντός (except Psalm 20:4 εἰς τέλος); Quinta εἰς τοὺς αιὦνας Jerome semper, ᵑ7 usually לעלמא, לעלמין; but Psalm 39:6 לחיי עלמא, Psalm 44:9 לעלמי עלמין, Psalm 48:9 עד עלמי עלמין, Psalm 49:14 לעלמא דאתי; uniform tradition best explained by closing contents of the Benedictions, מהעולם ועד העולם. So Jerome classes sela with amen and salom; and Jacob of Edessa in BarHebr. Psalm 10:1 compare Christian Amen of the people after Gloria); — this interpretation agrees with usage: 71 t. in 39 Psalms, 3t. Habakkuk 3 (taken from Minor Psalter למנצח, see נצח); it occurs at end of Habakkuk 3:9; Hab 24:10; Hab 46:12 (omitted by ᵐ5), Hab 9:21 (ᵐ5 combines 9 and 10); elsewhere at close of strophe, Habakkuk 3:3; Habakkuk 3:5; Hab 4:3; Hab 4:5; Hab 7:6; Hab 9:17; Hab 24:6; Hab 32:4; Hab 32:5; Hab 32:7; Hab 39:6; Hab 39:12; Hab 46:4; Hab 46:8; Hab 47:5; Hab 48:9; Hab 49:13 (so read ᵑ0 Hab 49:14 by error) Hab 49:16; Hab 50:6; Hab 52:5; Hab 52:7; Hab 54:5; Hab 59:6; Hab 59:14; Hab 61:5; Hab 62:5; Hab 62:9; Hab 66:4; Hab 66:7; Hab 66:15; Hab 67:5; Hab 68:20; Hab 76:4; Hab 76:10; Hab 77:4; Hab 77:10; Hab 77:16; Hab 81:8; Hab 82:2; Hab 83:9; Hab 84:5; Hab 84:9; Hab 88:8; Hab 88:11; Hab 89:38; Hab 89:46; Hab 140:4; Hab 140:6; Hab 140:9; Hab 143:6; or where citations have been made, Hab 44:9; Hab 55:8; Hab 57:7; Hab 60:6; Hab 67:2; Hab 68:8; Hab 68:33; Hab 89:5; Habakkuk 3:3,9; or where extracts might be made for liturgical purposes, Psalm 20:4; Psalm 21:3; Psalm 55:20; Psalm 75:4; Psalm 85:3; Psalm 87:3; Psalm 87:6; Psalm 89:49; so Psalm 57:3 (ᵐ5 for ᵑ0 Psalm 57:4) Habakkuk 3:13. — Of Psalms with סֶלָה, 23 used in Elohistic Psalter, 28 in Director's Psalter, 39 in final editing of Psalter. These editors found it in earlier Psalters. Davidic Psalter uses 20 of them, so few in proportion that it is not characteristic of this Psalter; but Korahite 9 (out of 12), and Asaph 7 + Hab 80:8 [ᵐ5] (probably 8 out of 12); apparently it came into use in time of these editors. In Diretor's Psalter musical terms are added to 19 of the 28 it uses (and only to ten others, of which some could hardly use סלה); Psalms with סלה all (except 61, 81) name the kind of Psalm in title: 3מִכְתָּם, 7 מַשְׂכִּיל, 10 שִׁיר, 26 (27) others מִזְמוֺר, Habakkuk 3 תְּפִלָּה; ׳ס is especially frequent with שִׁיר and מַשְׂכִּיל, terms associated with musical rendering. It probably came into use in late Persian period in connection with Psalms used with musical accompaniment in public worship, to indicate place of benedictions. It was not added by later editors to other psalms; but was revived in first century B.C., and continued in use for some time (see JacobZAW xvi (1896), 129 f. BrJBL 1809 EGBriggsAM. J. Semitic Lang. Oct. 1899, 1 ff.).



Topical Lexicon
Word Origin: The origin of the word סֶלָה is uncertain. It is traditionally understood to be a musical or liturgical term.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Greek equivalent for סֶלָה in the Septuagint or the New Testament. However, the concept of pause or reflection can be seen in various Greek terms related to musical or liturgical practices, though none are directly linked to the Hebrew סֶלָה.

Usage: The word סֶלָה appears primarily in the Psalms and once in the book of Habakkuk. It is used 71 times in the Hebrew Bible, often at the end of a verse or stanza, suggesting a moment of pause or reflection.

Context: The term סֶלָה (Selah) is a unique and somewhat enigmatic word found in the Hebrew Bible, predominantly in the Psalms (e.g., Psalm 3:2, 4, 8; Psalm 9:16; Psalm 32:4, 5) and once in Habakkuk (Habakkuk 3:3, 9, 13). Its precise meaning has been the subject of much scholarly debate. Traditionally, it is thought to be a musical or liturgical notation, possibly indicating a pause in the singing or recitation of the psalm, allowing for contemplation or a musical interlude. This interpretation aligns with the structure of Hebrew poetry, where pauses and reflections are integral to the rhythm and understanding of the text. The use of סֶלָה may have served to emphasize the preceding words, inviting the listener or reader to ponder their significance deeply. Despite its uncertain origin, the consistent placement of סֶלָה within the biblical text underscores its importance in the liturgical and poetic traditions of ancient Israel.

Forms and Transliterations
סֶ֑לָה סֶ֥לָה סֶּֽלָה׃ סֶֽלָה׃ סלה סלה׃ se·lāh Selah selāh
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Psalm 3:2
HEB: לּ֬וֹ בֵֽאלֹהִ֬ים סֶֽלָה׃
NAS: deliverance for him in God. Selah.
KJV: for him in God. Selah.
INT: deliverance God Selah

Psalm 3:4
HEB: מֵהַ֖ר קָדְשׁ֣וֹ סֶֽלָה׃
NAS: me from His holy mountain. Selah.
KJV: me out of his holy hill. Selah.
INT: mountain his holy Selah

Psalm 3:8
HEB: עַמְּךָ֖ בִרְכָתֶ֣ךָ סֶּֽלָה׃
NAS: [be] upon Your people! Selah.
KJV: [is] upon thy people. Selah.
INT: your people your blessing Selah

Psalm 4:2
HEB: תְּבַקְשׁ֖וּ כָזָ֣ב סֶֽלָה׃
NAS: and aim at deception? Selah.
KJV: [and] seek after leasing? Selah.
INT: and aim deceitful Selah

Psalm 4:4
HEB: מִשְׁכַּבְכֶ֗ם וְדֹ֣מּוּ סֶֽלָה׃
NAS: upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
KJV: upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
INT: your bed and be still Selah

Psalm 7:5
HEB: לֶעָפָ֖ר יַשְׁכֵּ֣ן סֶֽלָה׃
NAS: my glory in the dust. Selah.
KJV: mine honour in the dust. Selah.
INT: the dust and lay Selah

Psalm 9:16
HEB: רָשָׁ֑ע הִגָּי֥וֹן סֶֽלָה׃
NAS: is snared. Higgaion Selah.
KJV: of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.
INT: the wicked Higgaion Selah

Psalm 9:20
HEB: אֱנ֖וֹשׁ הֵ֣מָּה סֶּֽלָה׃
NAS: know that they are but men. Selah.
KJV: themselves [to be but] men. Selah.
INT: men like Selah

Psalm 20:3
HEB: וְעוֹלָתְךָ֖ יְדַשְּׁנֶ֣ה סֶֽלָה׃
NAS: your burnt offering acceptable! Selah.
KJV: and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.
INT: your burnt and find Selah

Psalm 21:2
HEB: בַּל־ מָנַ֥עְתָּ סֶּֽלָה׃
NAS: the request of his lips. Selah.
KJV: the request of his lips. Selah.
INT: have not withheld Selah

Psalm 24:6
HEB: פָנֶ֖יךָ יַעֲקֹ֣ב סֶֽלָה׃
NAS: Your face-- [even] Jacob. Selah.
KJV: thy face, O Jacob. Selah.
INT: your face Jacob Selah

Psalm 24:10
HEB: מֶ֖לֶךְ הַכָּב֣וֹד סֶֽלָה׃
NAS: He is the King of glory. Selah.
KJV: he [is] the King of glory. Selah.
INT: is the King of glory Selah

Psalm 32:4
HEB: בְּחַרְבֹ֖נֵי קַ֣יִץ סֶֽלָה׃
NAS: of summer. Selah.
KJV: into the drought of summer. Selah.
INT: the fever of summer Selah

Psalm 32:5
HEB: עֲוֹ֖ן חַטָּאתִ֣י סֶֽלָה׃
NAS: the guilt of my sin. Selah.
KJV: the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
INT: the guilt of my sin Selah

Psalm 32:7
HEB: פַלֵּ֑ט תְּס֖וֹבְבֵ֣נִי סֶֽלָה׃
NAS: me with songs of deliverance. Selah.
KJV: of deliverance. Selah.
INT: of deliverance surround Selah

Psalm 39:5
HEB: אָ֝דָ֗ם נִצָּ֥ב סֶֽלָה׃
NAS: is a mere breath. Selah.
KJV: [is] altogether vanity. Selah.
INT: man his best Selah

Psalm 39:11
HEB: כָּל־ אָדָ֣ם סֶֽלָה׃
NAS: man is a mere breath. Selah.
KJV: surely every man [is] vanity. Selah.
INT: every man Selah

Psalm 44:8
HEB: לְעוֹלָ֖ם נוֹדֶ֣ה סֶֽלָה׃
NAS: to Your name forever. Selah.
KJV: thy name for ever. Selah.
INT: forever will give Selah

Psalm 46:3
HEB: הָרִ֖ים בְּגַאֲוָת֣וֹ סֶֽלָה׃
NAS: quake at its swelling pride. Selah.
KJV: with the swelling thereof. Selah.
INT: the mountains swelling Selah

Psalm 46:7
HEB: אֱלֹהֵ֖י יַעֲקֹ֣ב סֶֽלָה׃
NAS: of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.
KJV: of Jacob [is] our refuge. Selah.
INT: the God of Jacob Selah

Psalm 46:11
HEB: אֱלֹהֵ֖י יַעֲקֹ֣ב סֶֽלָה׃
NAS: of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.
KJV: of Jacob [is] our refuge. Selah.
INT: the God of Jacob Selah

Psalm 47:4
HEB: אֲשֶׁר־ אָהֵ֣ב סֶֽלָה׃
NAS: whom He loves. Selah.
KJV: of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.
INT: whom loves Selah

Psalm 48:8
HEB: עַד־ עוֹלָ֣ם סֶֽלָה׃
NAS: will establish her forever. Selah.
KJV: it for ever. Selah.
INT: for ever Selah

Psalm 49:13
HEB: בְּפִיהֶ֖ם יִרְצ֣וּ סֶֽלָה׃
NAS: them who approve their words. Selah.
KJV: approve their sayings. Selah.
INT: their words approve Selah

Psalm 49:15
HEB: כִּ֖י יִקָּחֵ֣נִי סֶֽלָה׃
NAS: For He will receive me. Selah.
KJV: for he shall receive me. Selah.
INT: for will receive Selah

74 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 5542
74 Occurrences


se·lāh — 74 Occ.















5541b
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