Lexical Summary alas: To rejoice, exult, be jubilant Original Word: עָלַס Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Exult, wave joyouslyA primitive root; to leap for joy, i.e. Exult, wave joyously -- X peacock, rejoice, solace self. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to rejoice NASB Translation delight (1), enjoy (1), flap joyously (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [עָלַס] verb rejoice ("" with עָלַז, עָלַץ, q. v.; Late Hebrew עֲלִיסָה rejoicing (once LevyNHWB iii. 657)); — Qal Imperfect3masculine singular יַעֲלֹס Job 20:18 he shall not rejoice. Niph`al Perfect3feminine singular נֶעֱלָ֑סָה Job 39:13 (of ostrich's wing) = flap joyously. Hithpa`el Imperfect1plural cohortative נִתְעַלְּסָה Proverbs 7:18 let us delight ourselves in (ב) love. Topical Lexicon Semantics and Nuance The verb עָלַס portrays exuberant enjoyment, revelry, or sensual delight. It conveys a spontaneous, often boisterous expression of pleasure that may be short-lived or ill-directed. While other Hebrew words for rejoicing (such as שָׂמַח or גִּיל) can carry covenantal or worshipful overtones, עָלַס is marked by its vivid, even bodily, exuberance. Its rarity (three attestations) draws attention to each context and highlights the varied shades of human delight—whether carnal, momentary, or merely instinctive. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Job 20:18 – “He must return the fruit of his labor without consuming it; he cannot enjoy the profits of his trading.” Here עָלַס depicts the frustrated revelry of the wicked. Their anticipated enjoyment evaporates under divine justice. The verse aligns with the broader Joban theme that ill-gotten gain yields no lasting pleasure. 2. Job 39:13 – “The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully, but cannot match the pinions and feathers of the stork.” The flapping wings illustrate a carefree, almost comedic display of animal exuberance. The Lord’s rhetorical questions to Job contrast this instinctive joy with human ignorance, underscoring God’s sovereign wisdom over all creation. 3. Proverbs 7:18 – “Come, let us take our fill of love till morning; let us delight ourselves with love.” The adulteress’ invitation couches illicit sin in the language of pleasurable revelry. עָלַס intensifies the seductive appeal, warning readers that passionate delight disconnected from covenant boundaries leads to ruin (Proverbs 7:22–27). Moral and Theological Considerations The three texts map a moral spectrum: Together they teach that authentic, enduring joy is inseparable from righteous living, whereas pleasure pursued outside divine boundaries proves fleeting and empty. Applications for Ministry • Discipleship: Contrast transient delights of sin with the steadfast joy offered in Christ (John 15:11; Philippians 4:4). Christological and Eschatological Reflections The frustrated “revelry” of Job 20 and the deadly lure of Proverbs 7 anticipate the greater biblical tension between sinful pleasure and the consummate joy found in the Messiah. In Jesus Christ, the promise of Psalm 16:11—“in Your presence there is fullness of joy”—comes to fruition. The gospel transforms human longing for delight, directing it toward the eternal celebration of the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:6–9). Thus, while עָלַס captures fleeting human revelry, Scripture ultimately points believers to an incorruptible joy, secured by the Redeemer and perfected in the age to come. Forms and Transliterations יַעֲלֹֽס׃ יעלס׃ נִ֝תְעַלְּסָ֗ה נֶעֱלָ֑סָה נעלסה נתעלסה ne‘ĕlāsāh ne·‘ĕ·lā·sāh neeLasah niṯ‘alləsāh niṯ·‘al·lə·sāh nitalleSah ya‘ălōs ya·‘ă·lōs yaaLosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 20:18 HEB: תְּ֝מוּרָת֗וֹ וְלֹ֣א יַעֲלֹֽס׃ NAS: He cannot even enjoy [them]. KJV: [shall] the restitution [be], and he shall not rejoice [therein]. INT: of his trading cannot enjoy Job 39:13 Proverbs 7:18 3 Occurrences |
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