My post for January 30, 2014 Did you know…. The word “Selah,” (celah), is from the primary Hebrew root word “calah” which means “to hang,” and by implication to measure or weigh. In Biblical history, money, food, and other valuables were weighed by hanging them on a type of balance to determine their value; like our present day measuring scales. There is an example of this word as it is literally translated “valued” in the book of Job, indicating something that is measured: It (wisdom) cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof. It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire. (Job 28:15-16) The word translated “valued” is the same Hebrew word as “Selah” and it obviously means measured against. In this context, God is telling us that wisdom cannot be measured against the gold of Ophir, the precious onyx, or the sapphire. In this instance “valued” illustrates measuring something for barter or exchange… since wisdom can’t be measured with the gold of Ophir, it is priceless. The best commentary on the scripture is scripture. Through these examples of comparing scripture with scripture and noting a words context, we can discover the true meaning of words. Since the Hebrew word “calah” means to measure, as in weighing something in the balances, we can better understand the meaning of the word “Selah” or celah, from which it is comes. We learn that “Selah” means we should pause to carefully examine, measure, and value what has been said. The first mention of “Selah” in the Bible is in 2 Kings 14:7 where King Joash conquered the city of Selah which was located in Edom. With all probability it is the rock city Selah Petra. (You may be more familiar with this as far as prophecy is concerned.) Many times a location is named for the meaning of the word. I can see where Selah Petra would have to be carefully examined and measured as well as valued for protection and shelter. I couldnt find Biblical evidence that “Selah” is a signal to pause the music while voices continue, nor is there sound evidence that it is for a pause in singing while the music continues–but I defer to Alan Batterman to help me on this. Most occurrences of selah are in the book of Psalms, with three mentions in the book of Habbakuk. Since it means to “lift up, to weigh or measure” when we come across it, we should take extra effort to pause and lift up the truth of the Word that has been given for meditation, reflection, and application.
Posted on: Thu, 30 Jan 2014 14:23:56 +0000
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