Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

sela

/sˈɛlə/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.21 in modern English

Syllables: sela
IPA: /sˈɛlə/

4

Scrabble Score

4

Letters

2

Syllables

4

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

name

The capital of Edom, near Mount Hor; also known as Joktheel and Petra.

name

A village in modern-day Jordan near the location of historical Sela.

Example Sentences

"Selah, the capital of Idumea, built on an elevated plain, was situated in a deep valley, the entrance to which is by a lengthened defile, in some places not more than eight feet wide, which, in some parts, rising from 400 to 700 feet, nearly meet over head, about ninety miles to the south-east of Jerusalem. Mount Hor, celebrated in Scripture, overlooks the ruins of this ancient capital. It was called by the name of Petra from its rocky position; and by one of the prophets it is denominated "the Rock": it is also said, that Amaziah slew of Edom in the valley of Salt ten thousand, and took Selah by war, and called of it the name of Joktheel unto this day. (Jer. xlix. 16, 2 Kings xiv. 7)"

Etymology

Borrowed from Biblical Hebrew סֶּלַע (Sela‛, “rock”); compare Arabic السَّلَع (as-salaʕ).

Word Breakdown

Root: סֶּלַע

Inflected Forms

Selah (alternative)

Homonyms

sella cela

Rhymes With

umbrella bella stella ella fella isabella cinderella della mandela mozzarella salmonella novella

Questions

How do you pronounce sela?: The recorded pronunciation is /sˈɛlə/.
What does sela mean?: plural of selo
Where does sela come from?: Borrowed from Biblical Hebrew סֶּלַע (Sela‛, “rock”); compare Arabic السَّلَع (as-salaʕ).

How to pronounce sela

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “sela”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/sˈɛlə/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “sela”.
Repeat and practice — Say “sela” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.