Luke 17:17-19

English Standard Version

¹⁷ Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? ¹⁸ Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” ¹⁹ And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”^{[has saved you]}

In the New Testament the word praise is ainos Strong’s number G135 primarily “a tale, narration,” came to denote “praise;” in the NT only of praise to God. That is a narrative, not a song. BLB.ORG

It is also epanios Strong’s number G1868 a strengthened form of No. 1 (epi, upon), denotes “approbation, commendation, praise;” it is used of those on account of, and by reason of, whom as God’s heritage, “praise” is to be ascribed to God, in respect of His glory (the exhibition of His character and operations), of the whole company, the church, viewed as “God’s own possession” (RV);  with particular reference to the glory of His grace towards them; as the result of “the fruits of righteousness” manifested in them through the power of Christ; BLB.ORG

The only similarity between yada and our current use of praise is one sign which is symbolized in both views of praise, a raising up of ones hands, as if casting our praise upward towards God. We do that during worship which is a manifestation of praise. This is demonstrated as the result of “the fruits of righteousness” manifested in them through the power of Christ.

It is the power of Christ in us that makes it possible to praise God. Without the power of Christ in us it only “sounds like praise” but it is not praise. That is the similarity found in Leah’s naming of her sons by Jacob.

It doesn’t matter what you call it, if the power of Christ is not present, praise is just “a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”

John 4:24 English Standard Version (ESV) God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

Genesis 29:31-35 English Standard Version

Jacob’s Children

³¹ When the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. ³² And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben, for she said, “Because the Lord has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.” ³³ She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Because the Lord has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon. ³⁴ Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi. ³⁵ And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she ceased bearing.

The Hebrew word for Judah sounds like praise. Just because it sounds like praise does not mean it is praise.

That is the lesson for today. What is praise?

Leah was hated by Jacob. Rachel was his first love and he was tricked into marrying Leah. Leah wanted Jacob to love her and it was her belief that giving Jacob sons would change his heart towards her.  By the time Levi came along, she had three sons by Jacob and still she felt no love from her husband. Levi sounds like the Hebrew word attached. Once again, sounds like doesn’t mean he is attached.

Finally with Judah’s birth she says she will praise the Lord. But did she praise God or did it just sound like it?

Interestingly Genesis 29:35 is the first time the word praise is used in the bible. The Hebrew word is yada. What is it we say when we think we know what someone else is going to say? Yada, yada, yada.

The bible usage for the word yada is to throw, shoot or cast.

That is strange because that doesn’t sound like praise at all.