hallelujah (English)

Where does "hallelujah" come from?

The word 'hallelujah' originates from the Hebrew phrase 'hal'luyáh,' which means 'Praise Yah.' Over centuries, this sacred exclamation of thanksgiving was adopted into other languages to become a universal expression of jubilation and adoration.

Full etymology tree

• hallelujah (English), 'An exclamation used in songs of praise or thanksgiving to God.'
  • inherited הַלְלוּיָהּ (hal'luyáh) (Hebrew), 'praise the Lord'
    • compound הַלְּלוּ (hal'lú) (Hebrew), 'Masculine plural imperative of הילל / הִלֵּל.'
    • compound יָהּ (yáh) (Hebrew), 'Jah, one of the names of God and a common theophoric element in Hebrew names.'

Updated July 2026

Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris