From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids
-
For other uses, see Hallelujah (disambiguation).
Hallelujah, Halleluyah, or Alleluia, is a transliteration of the Hebrew word הַלְּלוּיָהּ (Standard Hebrew Halləluya, Tiberian Hebrew Halləlûyāh) meaning "[Let us] praise (הַלְּלוּ) Jah (Yah) (יָהּ)" (Sometimes rendered as "Praise (הַלְּלוּ) [the] LORD (יָהּ)or God"). It is found mainly in the book of Psalms. It has been accepted into the English language. The word is used in Judaism as part of the Hallel prayers. Alleluia is the Latin form of the word; it is used by Catholics in preference to Hallelujah.
For most Christians, "Hallelujah" is considered the most joyful word of praise to God, rather than an injunction to praise Him. In many denominations, the Alleluia, along with the Gloria in Excelsis Deo, is not spoken or sung during the season of Lent, instead being replaced by a Lenten acclamation.
Halleluyah is a composite of Hallelu and Yah (Jah). It literally translates from Hebrew as "Praise Yah, [third-person plural]!" or simply "Praise Yah!" Yah is the shortened form of the name YaHWeH (JeHoVaH), referred to as the Tetragrammaton.
The term is used about 24 times in the Hebrew Bible (mainly in the book of Psalms (e.g. 113-118), where it starts and concludes a number of Psalms) and four times in Greek transliteration in Revelation.
[edit] See also