The term "Aha!" appears in the Bible as an expression of scorn or malicious delight, often used by the enemies of God's people. It is an exclamation that conveys a sense of triumph or gloating over another's misfortune. This expression is found in several passages throughout the Old Testament, where it is used by adversaries to mock or deride the faithful.

Biblical References:

1. Psalm 35:21 : "They gape at me and say, 'Aha, aha! Our eyes have seen!'" In this psalm, David laments the actions of his enemies who are eager to witness his downfall. The use of "Aha!" here underscores their malicious intent and their desire to see him suffer.

2. Psalm 40:15 : "May those who say to me, 'Aha, aha!' be appalled at their own shame." This verse is part of a prayer for deliverance, where the psalmist calls upon God to bring shame upon those who mock him. The repetition of "Aha!" highlights the derision faced by the psalmist from his adversaries.

3. Psalm 70:3 : "May those who say, 'Aha, aha!' retreat in disgrace." Similar to Psalm 40, this verse is a plea for divine intervention against those who take pleasure in the psalmist's troubles. The expression "Aha!" is again associated with the enemies' scornful attitude.

4. Ezekiel 25:3 : "Say to the Ammonites, 'Hear the word of the Lord GOD: This is what the Lord GOD says: Because you said, "Aha!" against My sanctuary when it was desecrated, and against the land of Israel when it was laid waste, and against the house of Judah when they went into exile.'" In this prophetic declaration, the Ammonites are condemned for their gloating over Israel's calamities. The use of "Aha!" signifies their joy at Israel's suffering, which incurs God's judgment.

5. Ezekiel 26:2 : "Son of man, because Tyre has said of Jerusalem, 'Aha! The gateway of the peoples is broken, and its doors have swung open to me; now that she lies in ruins I will prosper.'" Here, the city of Tyre is rebuked for its opportunistic attitude towards Jerusalem's destruction. The exclamation "Aha!" reflects Tyre's anticipation of benefiting from Jerusalem's downfall.

Theological Significance:

The use of "Aha!" in these passages serves as a reminder of the sinful nature of gloating over the misfortunes of others. It is a manifestation of pride and malice, attitudes that are condemned throughout Scripture. The Bible consistently teaches that such behavior is contrary to the character of God, who calls His people to love their neighbors and to seek justice and mercy.

In the context of divine justice, those who utter "Aha!" in derision of God's people are often met with God's retribution. The prophetic books, particularly Ezekiel, emphasize that God will not overlook the scorn of the nations against His chosen people. Instead, He promises to vindicate His name and His people, bringing judgment upon those who mock and oppress them.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to guard their hearts against the temptation to rejoice in the misfortunes of others. Instead, they are called to exhibit compassion, humility, and a spirit of reconciliation. The expression "Aha!" serves as a cautionary example of the attitudes that are displeasing to God and a reminder of the call to live in accordance with His righteous standards.An exclamation of ridicule (Psalm 35:21; 40:15; 70:3). In Isaiah 44:16 it signifies joyful surprise, as also in Job 39:25, R.V. 1436. ea -- ah! ha! (interj. expressing surprise, indignation ...
... expressing surprise, indignation, fear) NASB Word Usage let...alone (1). aha! Apparent
imperative of eao; properly, let it be, ie (as interjection) aha! ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1436.htm - 6k

3758. oua -- ah! ha! (an expression of wonder or surprise)
... ah! ha! (an expression of wonder or surprise). Part of Speech: Interjection
Transliteration: oua Phonetic Spelling: (oo-ah') Short Definition: ah!, aha! ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3758.htm - 6k

1889. heach -- aha!
... heach. 1890 . aha! Transliteration: heach Phonetic Spelling: (heh-awkh') Short
Definition: aha. Word Origin a prim. ... Definition aha! NASB Word Usage aha (12). ...
/hebrew/1889.htm - 6k

A Peal of Bells
... "He champs his bit and is eager for the fray: his snortings are terrible, his neck
is clothed with lightning, and he crieth in the midst of the battle, "Aha! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/a peal of bells.htm

Paul's First Prayer
... utterly destroyed, suffers him to drive on to his own destruction, and then at last
turns round in triumphant derision upon the man who hoped to have said aha! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/pauls first prayer.htm

Our Watchword
... The wicked say, "Aha, aha," therefore let those who love God's salvation have a
common watchword with which to silence the malicious mockeries of the ungodly ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/our watchword.htm

Psalm 40
... 15For a reward of this their shame. confounded let them be. That in this manner
scoffing say,. Aha, aha! to me. ^16In thee let all be glad, and joy,. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 40.htm

Of the Fact that Devils Struggle with Men not Without Effort on ...
... They that trouble me will rejoice if I be moved;" and: "O My God, let them not rejoice
over me; let them not say in their hearts, Aha, Aha, our very wish ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xxi of the fact.htm

The Eternal Name
... If ye wish to do it, where can ye find the means? It is not in your power. Aha!
aha! aha! we laugh you to scorn. But you will quench it, will you? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the eternal name.htm

The Preacher as a Patriot.
... He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth
roast and is satisfied; yea, he warmeth himself and saith, Aha, aha, I am ...
/.../stalker/the preacher and his models/lecture iii the preacher as.htm

Epistle xviii. To John, Bishop.
... But say ye with the prophet, Let them be turned back and put to shame that say unto
me, Aha, Aha (Psalm 69:4). And again, But let not the oil of the sinner ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xviii to john bishop.htm

The Desolations of the Lord, the Consolation of his Saints
... trembled before us; our fathers put ten thousand of your sires to flight, and we
will do the same with you; and when we have done it we will say of you, "Aha! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the desolations of the lord.htm

A New Year's Benediction
... He smelleth the battle afar off, and he cries in the midst of the tumult,
"Aha! aha! aha!" He laugheth at all the hosts of his enemies. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/a new years benediction.htm

Aha (11 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A sunk fence. See Ha-ha. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. AH; AHA. ...
Edward Mack. Multi-Version Concordance Aha (11 Occurrences). ...
/a/aha.htm - 12k

Aha!

/a/aha!.htm - 6k

Aha'va (3 Occurrences)
Aha'va. Ahava, Aha'va. Ahaz . Multi-Version Concordance Aha'va
(3 Occurrences). Ezra 8:15 And I gathered them together ...
/a/aha'va.htm - 7k

Si'aha (1 Occurrence)
Si'aha. Siaha, Si'aha. Sibbecai . Multi-Version Concordance
Si'aha (1 Occurrence). Ezra 2:44 the children of Keros, the ...
/s/si'aha.htm - 6k

Man'aha'thites (1 Occurrence)
Man'aha'thites. Manahathites, Man'aha'thites. Manahethites .
Multi-Version Concordance Man'aha'thites (1 Occurrence). ...
/m/man'aha'thites.htm - 6k

Appalled (31 Occurrences)
... Psalms 40:15 Let them be desolate by reason of their shame That say unto me, Aha,
aha. ... Psalms 70:3 Let them be turned because of their shame Who say, "Aha! ...
/a/appalled.htm - 15k

Ha (8 Occurrences)
... HA. ha (he'-ah): In Job 39:25, the Revised Version (British and American) "Aha,"
of the battle-horse. See AH, AHA. Multi-Version Concordance Ha (8 Occurrences). ...
/h/ha.htm - 9k

Ah (43 Occurrences)
... utterance. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. AH; AHA. a, a ... it. (DBY). Psalms
35:25 Don't let them say in their heart, "Aha! That's the ...
/a/ah.htm - 22k

Enlarge (18 Occurrences)
... (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS). Psalms 35:21 And they enlarge against
me their mouth, They said, 'Aha, aha, our eye hath seen.' (YLT). ...
/e/enlarge.htm - 14k

Surprised (46 Occurrences)
... the evil-doers. (BBE). Psalms 40:15 Let those who say to me, Aha, aha! be
surprised because of their shame. (BBE). Ecclesiastes 5:8 ...
/s/surprised.htm - 19k

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