Definition and Etymology:
The term "Hallel" is derived from the Hebrew word "הלל" (halal), meaning "to praise." In the context of Jewish and Christian traditions, Hallel refers to a specific collection of psalms used in worship and praise.

Biblical References:
Hallel is traditionally associated with Psalms 113-118, which are recited during Jewish festivals such as Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot, and Hanukkah. These psalms are known for their themes of praise and thanksgiving to God for His deliverance and faithfulness.

Structure and Content:
The Hallel psalms are divided into two sections: the "Egyptian Hallel" (Psalms 113-118) and the "Great Hallel" (Psalm 136). The Egyptian Hallel is recited during the Passover Seder, commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt. Each psalm within the Hallel has its unique focus:

· Psalm 113: This psalm begins the Hallel with a call to praise the Lord, emphasizing His majesty and care for the humble. "Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD" (Psalm 113:1).

· Psalm 114: Celebrates the Exodus, highlighting God's power in leading Israel out of Egypt. "When Israel departed from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of foreign tongue" (Psalm 114:1).

· Psalm 115: Contrasts the living God with lifeless idols, encouraging trust in the Lord. "Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name be the glory, because of Your loving devotion, because of Your faithfulness" (Psalm 115:1).

· Psalm 116: A personal thanksgiving for deliverance from death, expressing love and gratitude to God. "I love the LORD, for He has heard my voice—my appeal for mercy" (Psalm 116:1).

· Psalm 117: The shortest psalm, calling all nations to praise the Lord for His steadfast love and faithfulness. "Praise the LORD, all you nations! Extol Him, all you peoples!" (Psalm 117:1).

· Psalm 118: A communal song of thanksgiving, often associated with the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever" (Psalm 118:1).

Liturgical Use:
In Jewish tradition, the Hallel is recited during the morning prayers on festivals and Rosh Chodesh (the beginning of a new month). During the Passover Seder, the Hallel is divided, with Psalms 113-114 recited before the meal and Psalms 115-118 after.

Christian Perspective:
While the Hallel is primarily a Jewish liturgical practice, Christians recognize its significance in the context of the Last Supper, which was a Passover meal. The Gospels suggest that Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn, likely part of the Hallel, before going to the Mount of Olives (Matthew 26:30, Mark 14:26). The themes of deliverance and thanksgiving resonate with Christian beliefs about Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection.

Theological Significance:
The Hallel psalms emphasize God's sovereignty, faithfulness, and the call for all creation to praise Him. They serve as a reminder of God's past deliverance and a hope for future redemption. For Christians, the Hallel also foreshadows the ultimate deliverance through Christ, who is seen as the fulfillment of the promises celebrated in these psalms.Praise, the name given to the group of Psalms 113-118, which are preeminently psalms of praise. It is called "The Egyptian Hallel," because it was chanted in the temple whilst the Passover lambs were being slain. It was chanted also on other festival occasions, as at Pentecost, the feast of Tabernacles, and the feast of Dedication. The Levites, standing before the altar, chanted it verse by verse, the people responding by repeating the verses or by intoned hallelujahs. It was also chanted in private families at the feast of Passover. This was probably the hymn which our Saviour and his disciples sung at the conclusion of the Passover supper kept by them in the upper room at Jerusalem (Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26).

There is also another group called "The Great Hallel," comprehending Psalms 118-136, which was recited on the first evening at the Passover supper and on occasions of great joy.

HALLEL

ha-lal', hal'-el: In the fifth book of the Psalms (107-50) there are several groups of Hallelujah Psalms: 104-106; 111-113; 115-117; 135; 146-150. In the worship of the synagogue Psalms 135-136 and 146-150 were used in the daily morning service. Psalms 113-118 were called the "Egyp Hallel," and were sung at the feasts of the Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles and Dedication. At the Passover, Psalms 113 and 114 (according to the school of Shammai only Psalm 113) were sung before the feast, and Psalms 115-118 after drinking the last cup. The song used by our Lord and the disciples on the night of the betrayal (Matthew 26:30), just before the departure for the Mount of Olives, probably included Psalms 115-118.

John Richard Sampey

The Memorable Hymn. "And when they had Sung an Hymn, they Went Out ...
... During the Passover, it was usual to sing the hundred and thirteenth, and five
following Psalms, which were called the "Hallel." The first commences, you will ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/the memorable hymn and when.htm

The Last Discourses of Christ - the Prayer of Consecration.
... According to the Jewish Ritual, the Cup is filled a fourth time, and the remaining
part of the Hallel [5717] repeated. Then follow, besides Psalm 136. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xi the last discourses.htm

At the Feast of the Dedication of the Temple.
... During the eight days of the Feast the series of Psalms known as at the Hallel
[4386] was chanted in the Temple, the people responding as at the Feast of ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xiv at the feast.htm

In the Last, the Great Day of the Feast'
... the Temple. [4009]. Immediately after the pouring of water,' the great Hallel,'
consisting of Psalm 113.to cxviii. (inclusive), was ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii in the last.htm

The First Day in Passion-Week - Palm-Sunday - the Royal Entry into ...
... which formed part of what was known as the (Egyptian) Hallel, [5074] were chanted
by the people on the Feast of Tabernacles also, but the Hallel was equally ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i the first day.htm

Prayer after Communion.
... Still, the correspondence in thought and language is very remarkable. Schaff
cites a similar prayer at the Passover (after the Hallel cup). ...
/.../various/the teaching of the twelve apostles/chapter x name after communion.htm

Jesus the Christ.
... The chanting of the great Hallel (Ps.113-118) celebrated the past, but the Talmud
declares that the Jews connected with this ceremony the words of Isaiah 12:3 ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/jesus the christ.htm

Jesus in the Temple.
... How he came to Jerusalem, whether he dwelt in a leafy booth as others, whether
his voice was heard in the Hallel, we are not told. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/jesus in the temple.htm

Gethsemane
... Probably we are to understand this of the second portion of the Hallel, [5818]
sung some time after the third Cup, or else of Psalm 136. ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xii gethsemane.htm

At the Feast of Tabernacles - First Discourse in the Temple
... rose in slowly-widening column, and hung between the Mount of Olives and Zion; how
the chant of Levites, and the solemn responses of the Hallel were borne on ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi at the feast.htm

Psalms (44 Occurrences)
... Of these, 15 are ascribed to David, and the 127th to Solomon. Psalm 136 is generally
called "the great hallel." But the Talmud includes also Psalm 120-135. ...
/p/psalms.htm - 54k

Hymn (5 Occurrences)
... The "hymn" which our Lord sang with his disciples at the last Supper is generally
supposed to have been the latter part of the Hallel, comprehending Psalm 113 ...
/h/hymn.htm - 11k

Hallel
... It is called "The Egyptian Hallel," because it was chanted in the temple whilst
the Passover lambs were being slain. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. HALLEL. ...
/h/hallel.htm - 8k

Celebrate (66 Occurrences)
... Passing into Christian use it has become the term most expressive of majestic
praise. Psalms 113-118 and 136 are called Hallel psalms. ...
/c/celebrate.htm - 27k

Passover (81 Occurrences)
... prevented by uncleanness or other cause from celebrating the Passover in season
could do so a month later (Numbers 9:9). The singing of the Hallel (Psalms 113 ...
/p/passover.htm - 58k

Praise (487 Occurrences)
... The "hymn" which Jesus sang with His disciples after the Last Supper (Matthew
26:30) would be a Hebrew psalm, probably from the Hallel (Pss 113-118) which was ...
/p/praise.htm - 47k

Hall (30 Occurrences)

/h/hall.htm - 19k

Halleluiah (1 Occurrence)

/h/halleluiah.htm - 6k

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