An exclamation of praise or joy, often used in religious contexts, expressing gratitude or celebration.
From Hebrew hallelu-yah, meaning 'praise ye the Lord,' combining hallel (praise) and Yah (God). Entered English through Latin and Greek translations of biblical texts, becoming a standard liturgical expression in Christian worship.
This word has remained almost unchanged for over 3,000 years across multiple languages because it's rooted in the actual Hebrew name of God—it's one of the few English words that's essentially a direct quotation from ancient scripture!
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