"Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Selah Meaning in the Bible
Selah
girl
Selah means "Pause; Reflect; Forever", a girl's name of Hebrew origin. Selah appears in the King James Bible, and Psalm 46:3 is the passage most often tied to it. Selah invites us to pause — to stop striving and simply dwell in God's presence. In the rhythm of worship, these sacred pauses are where the deepest transformation happens.
Is Selah in the Bible?
Yes — Selah (spelled Sela in the King James Bible) appears in the King James Bible, including Psalm 46:3.
Pronunciation:/SEE-luh/
What does Selah mean?
Selah is a girl name of Hebrew origin meaning "Pause; Reflect; Forever". Selah appears 74 times in the Bible — 71 times in the Psalms and 3 times in Habakkuk. While its exact meaning is debated, it is most commonly understood as a musical or liturgical direction meaning "pause and reflect" or "lift up."
Which Bible Character Are You?
Take this free Bible personality quiz to discover which Bible character you are most like. 10 questions, instant result with a King James verse.
One of 36 free KJV quizzes — see them all.
What does Selah mean in the Bible?
Selah means "Pause; Reflect; Forever" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Selah appears 74 times in the Bible — 71 times in the Psalms and 3 times in Habakkuk. While its exact meaning is debated, it is most commonly understood as a musical or liturgical direction meaning "pause and reflect" or "lift up."
As a name, Selah carries the beautiful invitation to slow down in God's presence. In a world of constant noise and hurry, Selah calls the bearer to contemplation, meditation, and worship. Some scholars connect it to the Hebrew word "salah," meaning "to weigh" or "to measure," suggesting a moment of weighing God's truth in the heart.
Others derive Selah from a root meaning "forever" or "to the end," giving it an eternal quality. The Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) translates it as "diapsalma" — an interlude — reinforcing the idea of a sacred pause in worship.
Selah has become an increasingly popular baby name, beloved for its musicality, spiritual depth, and uniquely biblical character.
Where does Selah appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Selah is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with Psalm 46:3. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah."
Take the KJV Bible with You
Download the complete King James Bible as a free PDF — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Which books of the Bible mention Selah?
Selah is mentioned across 2 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Selah?
Selah invites us to pause — to stop striving and simply dwell in God's presence. In the rhythm of worship, these sacred pauses are where the deepest transformation happens.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Selah:
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Word Meaning
Selah (סֶלָה (Selah))
A musical or liturgical pause meaning 'stop and reflect'
Strong's
Strong's H5542 — Selah
סֶלָה (Selah) • A musical or liturgical pause meaning 'stop and reflect'
Promise
God Promises Light in Your Darkness
Bible promises about God bringing light into the darkest seasons of life.
Word Meaning
Light (אוֹר (Or) / φῶς (Phōs))
A symbol of God's presence, truth, holiness, and salvation
Beatitude
Blessed Are the Peacemakers
The seventh Beatitude honors those who actively work to create peace and reconci
Devotional
Hebrews 11:1 — Meaning & Devotional
Faith
What names are related to Selah?
Names like Selah
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "Pause; Reflect; Forever" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Selah
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Selah
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Selah name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Selah (spelled Sela in the King James Bible) appears in the King James Bible, including Psalm 46:3.
Selah means "Pause; Reflect; Forever." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in Psalm 46:3, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew. Selah comes into English from Hebrew and carries the sense "Pause; Reflect; Forever." It appears in the King James Bible, including Psalm 46:3.
Common questions about the name Selah
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Selah?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Selah?
You can read every verse where Selah appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.