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Untranslatable
Can it be added that although the word "Selah" is untranslatable, its meaning is completely obvious in context to those who understand Biblical Hebrew. It is just that the multiple concepts are not easily explained in other languages. Similarly, the comma as it is used in English has various properties (e.g., the original Greek use as a breathing mark as opposed to the English grammatical use) and would require a lengthy article to explain it - academics may argue about definitions and so on, but speakers of the language know exactly what is meant even if they find it hard to verbalise. Words like Schadenfreude are what is more commonly meant by 'untranslatable' in that they do not have a direct English equivalent, but rather, require several words to explain what is meant. (And yes, I know that Schadenfreude does translate directly to epicaricacy, but that's hardly common usage.) But I digress; the point is that the page as it stands is a translation - just a rather wordy one. 212.134.179.30 (talk) 18:58, 17 June 2008 (UTC)Josh
Well, since no-one cared enough to answer, I have changed the article. 92.234.8.173 (talk) 03:24, 29 April 2009 (UTC)Josh
The 6th Beracha of the Amida is not Selah
The 6th beracha of the Amidah is not "selah" - rather "selicha". Some transliterate the Hebrew "selach" (imperative verb - forgive!) as selah; so in the Amidah we have "selach lanu avinu" - "forgive us our Father"
- The article is refering to the second to last blessing right before the prayer for peace. "v'khol ha'chaim yedukha selah". Jon513 20:55, 4 July 2006 (UTC)
holding Selah?
In the song Selah by the Ethiopians, the Ras Tafari is said to hold "Selah". I have difficulty interpreting the meaning of the lyric:
Want to leave out Babylon
I am tired of Babylon
Want to leave out Babylon
Oh because the Saviour hold
Selah
Is the Saviour "holding" the Selah? What is meant by this? Any thoughts?--Sonjaaa 17:42, 11 April 2006 (UTC)
No one is 'holding the Selah' is this song. The word is being used as a musical device, much as it is utilized in the Psalms. The lyric is stating the desire to leave Babylon, because the Saviour hold(s). Selah is used as a musical pause here.
gematria
I find the addition of the discussion on gematria a bit jarring in context. Implicitly it places study of "the mathematical underpinnings" of the Bible on par with scientifically established lexicography and historical critical research. I would suggest abbreviating this section and/or setting it apart somehow indicating that it represents minority opinion or that it is controversial in nature. Gematria is also a separate entry and a link might be in order.
70.48.153.199David
- I agree. It needs a source, at least. I also find the use of English Gematria very strange. --agr 22:15, 25 May 2007 (UTC)
"calah"
In calah, cited as a possible etymon, what letter does the 'c' represent? —Tamfang (talk) 01:07, 9 June 2010 (UTC)
- According to the citation from the Book of Job in the referenced article, it is samekh. I will add this info in. Vilĉjo (talk) 10:37, 17 September 2011 (UTC)
E.W. Bullinger regarding "Selah"
The article about E.W. Bullinger on Selah is incorrect. I have the complete library of Bullinger and nowhere does it speak of such confusion. One can read of this in the Companion Bible Appendix 66 II, The Works of Bullinger. Bbwjenkins (talk) 15:45, 25 September 2010 (UTC)
Urbandictionary?
Is Urban dictionary really considered a source? (footnote 6) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 114.73.83.113 (talk) 14:29, 25 June 2011 (UTC)
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