Hebrew · Strong's H8057
שִׂמְחָה
(sim-KHAW)
noun, feminine
Simchah refers to a state of great gladness, joy, or mirth, often with religious or celebratory connotations.
Simchah is a Hebrew term for joy, gladness, or mirth. It covers a wide semantic range, from the ordinary human experience of happiness to profound, divinely-inspired rejoicing. The term often appears in contexts of celebration, particularly religious festivals and worship. It can describe the joy of a community in corporate worship, the personal delight of an individual in God, or even the joy of God himself.
Simchah is frequently associated with blessings from God and deliverance. It is a natural response to God's saving acts and his presence among his people. While often linked to outward expressions like singing and feasting, it also signifies an inner state of well-being and contentment. The Old Testament often portrays simchah as a characteristic of the messianic age, when God's people will experience lasting joy and an end to sorrow.
Conversely, the absence of simchah can indicate divine judgment or a state of desolation, as seen in prophetic warnings where the "voice of mirth" is silenced. The term thus highlights the stark contrast between God's blessings and the consequences of disobedience, making joy a significant indicator of spiritual health and God's favor.
Common English renderings
- joy
- gladness
- mirth
- pleasure
- rejoicing
Key verses
"and the ransomed of Jehovah shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads: they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away."
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"Jehovah thy God is in the midst of thee, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love; he will joy over thee with singing."
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"Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with a perfect heart they offered willingly to Jehovah: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy."
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"Thou wilt show me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; In thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."
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"For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing; and all the trees of the fields shall clap their hands."
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"For Jehovah hath comforted Zion; he hath comforted all her waste places, and hath made her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of Jehovah; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody."
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