Pronunciation Guide: ah-lah-LAH-zō

Basic Definition

Strong’s G214: ἀλαλάζω (alalazō) describes a loud, intense vocal expression that could represent either extreme anguish or triumphant joy. In ancient Greek culture, it specifically referred to raising the ἀλαλή (alalē) – the piercing cry of battle, mourning, or celebration. This distinctive verb captures the raw, unrestrained nature of human emotional expression at its most intense moments.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Origin: Onomatopoeic from the war cry “alala”
• Language Family: Indo-European > Greek
• Primary Usage: Narrative sections, particularly in contexts of mourning or victory
• Voice: Active
• Tense: Present

ἀλαλάζω Morphology:

• ἀλαλάζω (present active indicative) – I cry aloud/wail
• ἀλαλάζοντες (present active participle nominative plural) – crying aloud/wailing
• ἀλαλάζον (present active participle nominative neuter singular) – crying aloud/wailing
• ἠλάλαζον (imperfect active indicative) – I was crying aloud/wailing

Origin & History

The term ἀλαλάζω has its roots in ancient Greek military culture, derived from the battlefield cry “ἀλαλα” (alala). Pindar, in his “Olympian Odes” (7.37), describes it as the victory cry of soldiers, while Xenophon in his “Anabasis” employs it to portray the intimidating battle cries of charging armies.

The word’s fascinating journey from military origins to broader emotional expression reflects the Greek tendency to adapt martial vocabulary for civilian use. By the classical period, authors like Euripides were using it in his tragedies to describe the wails of mourning women, demonstrating its evolution from purely martial contexts to broader emotional expressions.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A piercing cry or wail of deep anguish and mourning
• A triumphant shout or cry of victory
• A loud, prolonged emotional vocalization
• The ritual crying or wailing common in ancient Near Eastern mourning practices

ἀλαλάζω Translation Options:

• “to wail” – Best captures the mournful context in Mark 5:38
• “to cry aloud” – Useful for neutral contexts where the emotional valence is unclear
• “to raise a battle cry” – Appropriate in military or victory contexts
• “to lament loudly” – Effective for formal or ritual mourning contexts

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἀλαλάζω appears most notably in Mark 5:38, where it describes the professional mourners at Jairus’s house. The Septuagint (LXX) employs it in contexts of both jubilation and distress, particularly in the Psalms and Prophets. This dual usage reflects the word’s capacity to express both extremes of human emotion – devastating grief and exultant joy.

The term appears in several significant contexts:

• “He saw a commotion, and people weeping and wailing [ἀλαλάζοντας] loudly.” Mark 5:38
• “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging [ἀλαλάζον] cymbal.” 1 Corinthians 13:1

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish culture, professional mourners played a crucial role in funeral customs. These individuals, typically women, were skilled in the art of public lamentation and were hired to help express the community’s grief. Their wailing (ἀλαλάζω) served multiple purposes: honoring the deceased, helping the family process their grief, and fulfilling cultural expectations for proper mourning.

This practice connects to the Hebrew concept of ספד (saphad), which similarly describes ritual wailing and mourning. The presence of professional mourners at Jairus’s house indicates his social status and the community’s recognition of the tragedy of a child’s death.

Theological Significance

The dual nature of ἀλαλάζω – expressing both deep sorrow and triumphant joy – reflects a profound theological truth about the human experience before God. Just as the Psalms contain both laments and praise, this word reminds us that our relationship with God encompasses the full range of human emotion.

In the context of Mark 5:38, the ἀλαλάζω of the mourners serves as a powerful contrast to Messiah’s calm assurance that the girl is only sleeping. This juxtaposition highlights His divine authority over death itself, transforming what would typically be an occasion for wailing into an opportunity for rejoicing.

Personal Application

When we encounter this word in Scripture, it reminds us that God welcomes our unfiltered emotional expressions – whether of profound grief or overwhelming joy. The presence of professional mourners in biblical narratives also teaches us about the importance of community in processing grief and the legitimacy of expressing our sorrows openly.

This understanding can help us approach our own emotional experiences with greater authenticity, knowing that both our deepest sorrows and highest joys have a place in our relationship with God and our community of faith.

Related Words

• θρηνέω (thréneō) – to lament, mourn publicly – Similar in mourning context but less intense than ἀλαλάζω See G2354
• κλαίω (klaiō) – to weep, sob – Focuses more on the tears than the vocal expression See G2799
• ὀλολύζω (ololyzō) – to cry out, howl – Another onomatopoeic word for loud crying See G3649
• κράζω (krazō) – to cry out, scream – More general term for loud vocalization See G2896

Did you Know?

• The term ἀλαλάζω survived in Modern Greek military vocabulary, where “alalazō” still refers to battle cries and military cheers, maintaining its ancient martial connection across nearly three millennia.
• In ancient Greek warfare, the ἀλαλή (battle cry) was not just for intimidation – it was also used to maintain formation and synchronize troop movements, showing how practical military needs shaped cultural and linguistic development.
• Professional mourning, including the practice of ἀλαλάζω, continues in some Middle Eastern cultures today, preserving an ancient tradition that bridges biblical times to the present.

Remember This

ἀλαλάζω embodies the raw power of human emotion at its extremes, reminding us that whether in deepest grief or highest joy, our unfiltered expressions find their place in God’s presence.