governor at Jerusalem. The “porch” in Matthew 26:71 is the entrance-hall
or passage leading into the central court, which is open to the sky.
- HALLEL 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.
- HALLELUJAH praise ye Jehovah, frequently rendered “Praise ye the
LORD,” stands at the beginning of ten of the psalms (106, 111-113, 135,
146-150), hence called “hallelujah psalms.” From its frequent occurrence it
grew into a formula of praise. The Greek form of the word (alleluia) is
found in Revelation 19:1, 3, 4, 6. - HALLOW to render sacred, to consecrate (Exodus 28:38; 29:1). This
word is from the Saxon, and properly means “to make holy.” The name of
God is “hallowed”, i.e., is reverenced as holy (Matthew 6:9). - HALT lame on the feet (Genesis 32:31; Psalm 38:17). To “halt between
two opinions” (1 Kings 18:21) is supposed by some to be an expression
used in “allusion to birds, which hop from spray to spray, forwards and
backwards.” The LXX. render the expression “How long go ye lame on
both knees?” The Hebrew verb rendered “halt” is used of the irregular
dance (“leaped upon”) around the altar (ver. 26). It indicates a lame,
uncertain gait, going now in one direction, now in another, in the frenzy of
wild leaping. - HAM warm, hot, and hence the south; also an Egyptian word meaning
“black”, the youngest son of Noah (Genesis 5:32; comp. 9:22,24). The
curse pronounced by Noah against Ham, properly against Canaan his