What does סָלַל (sālal) mean in the Bible?
סָלַל (sālal): Build up barrier or elevation; reflexively, to resist or obstruct; figuratively, to exalt or raise high.
Hebrew · H5549
סָלַל
To mound up (especially a turnpike); figurative, to exalt ; reflexively, to oppose (as by a dam)
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
סָלַלH5549
Pronunciationsālal
What does סָלַל (sālal) mean in the Bible?
סָלַל (sālal): Build up barrier or elevation; reflexively, to resist or obstruct; figuratively, to exalt or raise high.
Full entry for סָלַל (H5549) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H5549?
The BSB source-word alignment has 12 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include Build it up (3), and build (1), build up (1), Exalt (1), is a highway (1).
Where does סָלַל (sālal) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Exodus 9:17. Its strongest book concentrations include Isaiah (4), Jeremiah (2), Job (2), Proverbs (2).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders ItBuild it up3×Isaiah 57:14, Isaiah 62:10
and build1×Job 30:12
build up1×Isaiah 62:10
Exalt1×Psalms 68:4
is a highway1×Proverbs 15:19
on the highway1×Jeremiah 18:15
pile her up1×Jeremiah 50:26
Prize her1×Proverbs 4:8
they construct1×Job 19:12
you lord it1×Exodus 9:17
Show sample aligned rows
Exodus 9:17מִסְתּוֹלֵ֣לtoyou lord itVerb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singularJob 19:12וַיָּסֹ֣לּוּtothey constructConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralJob 30:12וַיָּסֹ֥לּוּtoand buildConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralPsalms 68:4סֹ֡לּוּtoExaltVerb - Qal - Imperative - masculine pluralProverbs 4:8סַלְסְלֶ֥הָtoPrize herVerb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singularProverbs 15:19סְלֻלָֽה׃tois a highwayVerb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singularIsaiah 57:14סֹֽלּוּ־toBuild it upVerb - Qal - Imperative - masculine pluralIsaiah 57:14סֹ֖לּוּtobuild it upVerb - Qal - Imperative - masculine pluralIsaiah 62:10סֹ֣לּוּtoBuild it upVerb - Qal - Imperative - masculine pluralIsaiah 62:10סֹ֤לּוּtobuild upVerb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowExodus 9:17
Aligned rows12
Books represented6
Exodus1Job2Psalms1Proverbs2Isaiah4Jeremiah2
Source forms
וַיָּסֹ֣לּוּ1xway·yā·sōl·lūJob 19:12
וַיָּסֹ֥לּוּ1xway·yā·sōl·lūJob 30:12
מִסְתּוֹלֵ֣ל1xmis·tō·w·lêlExodus 9:17
סֹ֡לּוּ1xsōl·lūPsalms 68:4
סֹ֖לּוּ1xsōl·lūIsaiah 57:14
סֹ֣לּוּ1xsōl·lūIsaiah 62:10
סֹ֤לּוּ1xsōl·lūIsaiah 62:10
סֹֽלּוּ־1xsōl·lū-Isaiah 57:14
Parsing patterns
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural5xPsalms 68:4, Isaiah 57:14, Isaiah 62:10
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural2xJob 19:12, Job 30:12
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular2xProverbs 15:19, Jeremiah 18:15
Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular1xExodus 9:17
Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular1xProverbs 4:8
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural | third person feminine singular1xJeremiah 50:26
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Build up barrier or elevation; reflexively, to resist or obstruct; figuratively, to exalt or raise high.
Source Gloss
to mound up (especially a turnpike); figurative, to exalt ; reflexively, to oppose (as by a dam)
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Build up barrier or elevation; reflexively, to resist or obstruct; figuratively, to exalt or raise high.
to mound up (especially a turnpike); figurative, to exalt; reflexively, to oppose (as by a dam) BDB: lift up Usage: cast up, exalt (self), extol, make plain, raise up.
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups2Aligned forms8
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense7×
Sequential imperfectIsa 57:14 · Isa 62:10 · Ps 68:55×
Participle passiveJer 18:15 · Prov 15:192×
Hithpolel1×
Participle activeExod 9:171×
Word Origins
סָלַל is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.