What Does The Word Selah Mean In The Bible

Selah is a hebrew word you can tell hebrew words because they usually end in ah selah is defined as an instruction to stop and think about what comes before the word selah instructs the reader to take a brief pause and reflect when he sees the word in the middle of the verse between verses or between paragraphs.

The new american standard hebrew lexicon defines the hebrew word ס ל ה as to lift up exalt. Its meaning is doubtful. More correctly translated as sela it refers to a strong city and even the capital city of edom which is surrounded by mountains. Selah is defined as a hebrew word that has been found at the ending of verses in psalms and has been interpreted as an instruction calling for a break in the singing of the psalm or it may mean forever an example of selah is seeing the term used seventy one times in the psalms in the hebrew bible.

Ultimately selah is a word that reminds us all to pause and reflect on christ in whom we find all treasure and knowledge. Others end a louder strain piano etc. When reading the bible in corporate worship there is no need to say the word. Well meaning bible scholars disagree on the definition of selah and on its root word but since god has ordained that it be included in his word we should make an effort to find out as best we can the meaning.

Bible scholars have come up with multiple meanings and possible explanations for the meaning of the word. A word frequently found in the book of psalms and also in hab 3 9 13 about seventy four times in all in scripture. We can t ever truly hope to understand all that god is and all that. That said there s still the lingering uncertainty or unsureness to what the word actually means and plenty of bible books usually have footnotes to explain what selah means or at the very least their interpretation of.

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Some interpret it as meaning silence or pause. Its meaning is doubtful. The arabic equivalent is known as petra also called so by the greeks and in english we know it to mean rock 2. A word frequently found in the book of psalms and also in habakkuk 3 9 habakkuk 3 13 about seventy four times in all in scripture.

The true meaning of selah in the bible is a mystery. Many have said that the word selah means to reflect or to pause and if you look at the context of how this word is used in the book of psalms it makes total sense. Some interpret it as meaning silence or pause others end a louder strain piano etc.