סלה
sela
selah is a Hebrew phrase used to indicate a pause for reflection or a musical interlude.
The word is used specifically within the context of the Psalms to signal a moment where the reader or listener should pause, either for musical instruction or for deep reflection on the preceding text.
How do you pronounce it?
sela
Did you know?
- Some historians argue that selah might be a transliteration of a non-Hebrew musical term, meaning the word itself is a loanword from an ancient, unknown culture.
- Some traditions suggest that selah served as a signal for the congregation to stand up or change their physical posture during the reading of the Psalms.
- While many view it as a mere punctuation mark, some scholars believe selah originally meant 'to lift up' or 'to raise', suggesting the musicians were being instructed to raise their instruments or their voices.
Examples in context
- אהבה הנושאת לשמים, לקרוא בין השורות ולהבין סלה.Love that soars to the heavens, to read between the lines and understand Selah.
Example conversation
Noa and Ido are studying the Book of Psalms together.
- נועה Noaעידו, מה המשמעות של סלה כאן?Ido, ma hamashma'ut shel selah kan?Ido, what is the meaning of selah here?
- עידו Idoזה סימן לעצור ולהרהר במילים.Ze siman la'atzor uleharher bamillim.It is a sign to stop and reflect on the words.
- נועה Noaאז סלה היא כמו הפסקה מוזיקלית?Az selah hi kmo hafsaka muzikalit?So selah is like a musical break?
- עידו Idoכן, בדיוק ככה זה עובד.Ken, bidiuk kakha ze oved.Yes, that is exactly how it works.
