Word journey
The word alleluia
praise the Lord
The journey
| Form | Language | Date | Sense |
|---|---|---|---|
| hallelū yāh | Biblical Hebrew · Judaism | 400 BCE | "praise ye Yah", sung in the Hallel psalms |
| allēlouía | Koine Greek · Judaism | 250 BCE | praise the Lord |
| allēlūia | Late Latin · Christianity | 400 CE | liturgical chant of praise |
| alleluia | Middle English · Christianity | 1200 CE | praise the Lord |
What is certain and what is not
Hebrew hallelu yah means "praise (ye) Yah". Some suggest the shout began as a rendering of ritual ululation. English later re-borrowed the Hebrew-looking form hallelujah.