חָלָה
châlâh · H2470 · Hebrew · 75 occurrences
Meanings
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to be/become weak, to be/become powerless, to be sick, to be injured
Process by which humans or animals lose their physical strength as a result of sickness, injury, a prolonged exertion of strength, or other circumstances
ExamplesGenesis 48:1 Now it came about after these things that Joseph was told, “Behold, your father is sick.” So he took his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim with him.
Judges 16:7 And Samson said to her, “If they bind me with seven fresh animal tendons that have not been dried, then I will become weak and be like any other man.”
Judges 16:11 Then he said to her, “If they bind me tightly with new ropes which have not been used, then I will become weak and be like any other man.”
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to pretend to be sick
Action by which humans act as someone who suffers from a disease
Examples2 Samuel 13:2 But Amnon was so frustrated on account of his sister Tamar that he made himself ill, for she was a virgin, and it seemed too difficult to Amnon to do anything to her.
2 Samuel 13:5 Jonadab then said to him, “Lie down on your bed and pretend to be ill; when your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘Please have my sister Tamar come and give me food to eat, and have her prepare the food in my sight, so that I may see it and eat from her hand.’”
2 Samuel 13:6 So Amnon lay down and pretended to be ill; when the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, “Please have my sister Tamar come and make me a couple of pastries in my sight, so that I may eat from her hand.”
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to weaken, to make sick, to wound
Causative action by which humans or deities cause humans to lose their physical strength
ExamplesDeuteronomy 29:22 “Now the future generation, your sons who rise up after you and the foreigner who comes from a distant land, when they see the plagues of that land and the diseases with which the LORD has afflicted it, will say,
1 Kings 22:34 Now one man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel in a joint of the armor. So he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn around and take me out of the battle, for I am severely wounded.”
2 Chronicles 18:33 Now one man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel in a joint of the armor. So he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn around and take me out of the battle, for I am severely wounded.”
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Literally: to weaken someone's face; hence: causative action by which humans make an effort to make (other) humans or deities willing to act in their favor (to entreat (someone's) favor)
ExamplesExodus 32:11 Then Moses pleaded with the LORD his God, and said, “LORD, why does Your anger burn against Your people whom You have brought out from the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?
1 Samuel 13:12 I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not asked the favor of the LORD.’ So I worked up the courage and offered the burnt offering.”
1 Kings 13:6 And the king responded and said to the man of God, “Please appease the LORD your God and pray for me, so that my hand may be restored to me.” So the man of God appeased the LORD, and the king’s hand was restored to him, and it became as it was before.
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to feel sorry, to be concerned, to grieve
Process by which humans experience an emotion of sadness caused by their own plight or by the suffering of others
Examples1 Samuel 22:8 “For all of you have conspired against me so that there is no one who informs me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you who cares about me or informs me that my son has stirred up my servant against me to lie in ambush, as it is this day.”
Amos 6:6 Who drink wine from sacred bowls While they anoint themselves with the finest of oils— Yet they have not grieved over the collapse of Joseph.
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to cause grief
Causative action by which events cause humans to experience an emotion of sadness
ExamplesProverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
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grievous, severe
State in which an event is very serious in nature
ExamplesEcclesiastes 5:13 There is a sickening evil which I have seen under the sun: wealth being hoarded by its owner to his detriment.
Ecclesiastes 5:16 This also is a sickening evil: exactly as a person is born, so will he die. What then is the advantage for him who labors for the wind?
Jeremiah 14:17 “You will say this word to them, ‘Let my eyes stream down tears night and day, And let them not cease; For the virgin daughter of my people has been crushed with a mighty blow, With a sorely infected wound.
How it’s used In 10 roles
Every occurrence, grouped by the words it is grammatically related to.
the word studied the word it goes with
Who or what does itSubject
62 occurrences in 30 groups
- Not stated: I 12
- Not stated: he, she or it 7
- הוּאhe, she, it 4
- Not stated (infinitive) 4
- חִזְקִיָּהHezekiah 3
- מַכָּהstroke 3
- Other words · 22 groups that occur once or twice (23) 23
What it acts on, or what is saidObject
9 occurrences in 3 groups
- פָּנִיםface, presence, before 7
- חֳלִיdisease 1
- לֵבheart, mind 1
With prepositionsPrepositional phrases
19 occurrences in 13 groups
- אֵתwith+ פָּנִיםface, presence, before 9
- בin/on/with+ יוֹםday, time 3
- Other words · 11 groups that occur once or twice (12) 12
With adverbsAdverbs
8 occurrences in 4 groups
- לֹאnot 5
- בַּלnot 1
- אַיִןthere is no, not 1
- מְאֹדvery 1
Whose, or of whatGenitive or possessive
2 occurrences in 1 groups
- אַהֲבָהlove 2
What is done to itIt is the object
8 occurrences in 6 groups
- חָזַקto be strong, to strengthen 2
- שָׁמַעto hear, to listen, to obey 2
- נָגַחto gore 1
- נָגַשׁto come near, to bring near 1
- רָפָאto heal 1
- בּוֹאto come, to go in, to bring 1
What it is said to bePredicate
1 occurrences in 1 groups
- אַיִןthere is no, not 1
What is said to be itIt is the predicate
2 occurrences in 1 groups
- אֲנִיI 2
After prepositionsPrepositional phrases
3 occurrences in 2 groups
- לto/for 2
- כlike/as 1
In phrases “… of it”It is the genitive
1 occurrences in 1 groups
- יוֹםday, time 1
When two words share a role, as in “Paul and Barnabas said”, the verse appears under each, so a section’s counts can add up to more than the number of occurrences.
MACULA Greek Linguistic Datasets, available at https://github.com/Clear-Bible/macula-greek/, licensed CC BY 4.0; MACULA Hebrew Linguistic Datasets © 2022-2024 by Biblica, Inc., CC BY 4.0. Westminster Leningrad Codex (tanach.us). OpenScriptures Hebrew Bible morphology (hb.openscriptures.org), CC BY 4.0.
In the other Testament 2 words
- δέομαι déomai · G1189 · to plead, to beg
- חָלָה (châlâh, H2470) encompasses a broad semantic range including illness, grief, and supplication, while δέομαι (déomai, G1189) δέομαι specifically denotes petition or entreaty; the cross-linguistic equivalence holds where חָלָה (châlâh, H2470) expresses its 'beseech/entreat/pray' sense, but not where חָלָה (châlâh, H2470) denotes disease or grief.
- ἄῤῥωστος árrhōstos · G732 · to be sick, sick, ill
- Greek ἄῤῥωστος (infirm) specifically denotes the state of physical sickness/weakness, corresponding to the disease/infirmity subset of Hebrew חָלָה's broader semantic range (which also includes grief, prayer, and beseeching).
Semantic domains 4 entries
- Weak002001001069
- The verb's most common sense is being physically sick or weakened, as Joseph is told, "your father is sick" (Genesis 48:1).
- Willing002001002028
- In its "entreat, beseech" sense the verb describes an eager, willing plea seeking another's favor, as Moses "pleaded" with the LORD on Israel's behalf (Exodus 32:11).
- Grieve002001002013
- The verb also describes being grieved or pained, the emotional distress bound up with illness or hardship, as one "made sick" with the covenant curses (Deuteronomy 29:21-22).
- Intense002001003011
- The word underlies the gloss "grievous," marking a severe, intensified degree of the sickness or disaster it describes.
Word family 15 words
Words formed from the same root. They share a form, not always a meaning.
Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon H2470. chalah I. חָלָה verb be weak, sick (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic חֲלָא suffer (rare);…
I. חָלָה verb be weak, sick (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic חֲלָא suffer (rare); Assyrian —alû, sickness, grief, DlPr 181) —
Qal Perfect ׳ח 1Ki 14:1 1Ki 14:8t.; 2 feminine singular חָלִית Isa 57:10; Isa 57:1singular חָלִיתִי 1Sa 30:13 1Sa 30:2t.; וְחָלִי֫תִי consecutive Jdg 16:7, Jdg 16:11, Jdg 16:17, חָלוּ֫ Jer 5:3 (so read, see below); Imperfect וַיָּ֫חַל 2Ki 1:2; Infinitive suffix חֲלֹתוֺ Isa 38:9; חֲלוֺתִי Psa 77:11 compare below
Pi`el; חֲלוֺתָם Psa 35:13; Participle חֹלֶה Gen 48:1 Gen 48:6t. + 1Sa 22:8 (see below); חוֺלֶה Neh 2:2; Mal 1:13; feminine חוֺלָה Ecc 5:12 Ecc 5:3t. (for Jer 4:31 see I. חוּל), construct חוֺלַת Son 2:5; Son 5:8; —
1 be or become weak, Samson Jdg 16:7, Jdg 16:11, Jdg 16:17; feel weak Isa 57:10 (Che) Eze 34:4, Eze 34:16.
2 become sick, ill Gen 48:1 (E) 1Sa 19:14; 1Sa 30:13; 1Ki 14:1, 1Ki 14:5; 1Ki 15:23 (of Asa, = חלא2Ch 16:2) 2Ch 17:17; 2Ki 1:2; 2Ki 8:7; 2Ki 13:14 (with accusative of congnate meaning with verb) 2Ki 20:12 = Isa 39:1; Isa 33:24; Isa 38:9; Pro 23:35; Psa 35:13; Neh 2:2, compare Psa 77:11 חֲלוֺתִי for חַלּוֺתִי Che after Bi; lame and sick — i.e. imperfect for sacrifice — of animals Mal 1:8, Mal 1:13; sick from effect of wounds 2Ki 8:29 2Ch 22:6, compare Pro 23:35, מַכָּה with חֳלִי Deu 28:59, Deu 28:61; Jer 6:7; Jer 10:19; hyperbole sick from love אני אַהֲבָה חוֺלַת Son 2:5; Son 5:8; be sick unto dying לָמוּת חלה 2Ki 20:1 = Isa 38:1, עדלֿמות׳ח (late) 2Ch 32:24; Jer 5:3 read probably חָלוּ֫ לֹא (for חָ֫לוּ ᵑ0, see I. חול) of the people, unmoved by ׳י's chastisements; thou hast smitten them, but they are not sick (compare
Niph`al Amo 6:6); of sickness of the mind in ᵑ0 1Sa 22:8 followed by עַל (but read rather ᵐ5 חֹמֵל Gr Klo Dr); participle as adjective severe, sore חוֺלָה רָעָה Ecc 5:12; Ecc 5:15; — on Jer 4:31 see חול.
Niph`al Perfect1singular נֶחֱלֵיתִי Dan 8:27; Dan 8:3plural נֶחְלוּ Amo 6:6; Jer 12:13; Participle feminine נַחֲלָה Isa 17:11 Isa 17:4t.; plural נַחְלוֺת Eze 34:4 (strike out Co) Eze 34:21; —
1 make oneself sick, figurative for strain oneself Jer 12:13 (but Gr נִלְאוּ).
2 be made sick Dan 8:27; נֶח ׳לֹא of indifference, apathy Amo 6:6 followed by על (compare
Qal Jer 5:3); participle diseased, as substantive with article Eze 34:4 (strike out Co) Eze 34:21; = severe, sore (predicate of מַכָּה) Nah 3:19; Jer 10:19; Jer 14:17; Jer 30:12; also (מַכָּה omitted) Isa 17:11.
Pi`el Perfect חִלָּה make sick, with accusative of congnate meaning with verb + בְּ of land Deu 29:21; Infinitive construct הִיא חַלּוֺתִי Psa 77:11 read probably חֲלוֺתִי Infinitive Qal; my sickness, so Bi Che (others derive from חלל my wounding, see De). — For other forms of Pi`el see II. חלה.
Pu`al Perfect be made weak, 2 masculine singular חֻלֵּיתָ Isa 14:10.
Hithpa`el Imperfect וַיִּתְחָ֑ל 2Sa 13:6; Imperative הִתְחָ֑ל 2Sa 13:5; Infinitive הִתְחַלּוֺת 2Sa 13:2; — make oneself sick, of Ammon's morbid passion for his sister 2Sa 13:2, followed by בַּעֲבוּר; of his pretended sickness of body 2Sa 13:5-6,.
Hiph`il Perfect3masculine singular הֶחֱלִי Isa 53:10; Isa 53:1singular הֶחֱלֵתִי Mic 6:13; plural הֶחֱלוּ Hos 7:5 (on text see below); Participle מַחֲלָה Pro 13:12; —
1 make (sick, i.e.) sore thy smiting הַכּוֺתֶ֑ךָ Mic 6:13 (compare Nah 3:19, Niph`al); object (implicit) a person, הֶחֱלִי ׳וי דַּכְּאוֺ חָפֵץ Isa 53:10 it pleased ׳י to bruise him, making him sick = to bruise him sorely, see further Di.
2 make sick, object לֵב (of hope deferred) Pro 13:12.
3 shew (signs of) sickness, become sick, only ׳הֶח מִיָּ֑יִן חֲמַת שׂרים Hos 7:5 princes are become sick with fever of wine (Now Che VB; > Vrss Hi-St who read הֵחֵלּוּ they begin the day with wine-fever).
Hoph`al Perfect be made sick = wounded הָֽחָלֵיתִי 1Ki 22:34 2Ch 18:33; 2Ch 35:23.
II. [חָלָה] verb only
Pi`el followed by מָּנַיִךְ מָּנֶיךָ, מְּנֵי, = mollify, appease, entreat the favour of, literally make the face of any one sweet or pleasant (compare Arabic , , be sweet, pleasant, Aramaic , חֲלִי, id., adjective חָלֵי sweet); —
Pi`el Perfect חִלָּה2Ch 33:12, חִלִּיתִי 1Sa 13:12; Psa 119:58, וְחִלּוּ consecutive Job 11:19, חִלִּינוּ Dan 9:13; Imperfect וַיְחַל Exo 32:11 Exo 32:3t., יְחַלּוּ Psa 45:13; Pro 19:6; Imperative חַלנָֿא 1Ki 13:6, חַלּוּנָֿא Mal 1:9; Infinitive construct לְחַלּוֺת Zec 7:2 Zec 7:2t.; —
1 ׳׃ח ׳אתפֿנייֿ
a. mollify, pacify, appease ׳י, i.e. induce him to shew favour in place of wrath and chastisement Exo 32:11 (JE), 1Ki 13:6 ( + הִתְמַּלֵּל), 1Ki 13:6; 2Ki 13:4; Jer 26:19 (+ וַיִּנָּ֫חֶם), 2Ch 33:12 (|| מִלִּפְנֵי מאד וַיִּכָּנַע), Dan 9:13; also ׳ח פניאֵֿל Mal 1:9 (followed by וִיחָנֵּ֫נוּ that he may be gracious to us).
b. entreat the favour of ׳י, i.e. aim at success, prosperity, etc., through his favour, 1Sa 13:12 (in anticipation of war), Zec 8:21-22, (|| אֶתיֿ ׳לְבַקֵּשׁ; of cities and nations assembling at Jerusalem for worship), Zec 7:2 (|| אֶתיֿ ׳לְבַקֵּשׁ) of worship at Jerusalem; quite Generally, as habit of God-fearing man, Psa 119:58 (+ בְּכָללַֿב).
2 entreat favour of men (in sense of 1b) — פנינָֿדִיב יְח ׳רַבִּים Pro 19:6 many entreat a prince's favour (|| מַתָּן לְאִישׁ וְכָלהָֿרֵעַ); ׳יח מָּנָיִךְ Psa 45:13 of favour of king's bride; ׳וְח רַבִּים מָּנַיִךְ Job 11:19 favour of Job when absolved and restored.
Brown, Driver and Briggs, A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (1906), public domain
Topical studies with this word 4 entries
Meanings adapted from the UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament, © United Bible Societies, CC BY-SA 4.0 and the UBS Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew (from the Semantic Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew), © United Bible Societies, CC BY-SA 4.0; MACULA Greek Linguistic Datasets, available at https://github.com/Clear-Bible/macula-greek/, licensed CC BY 4.0; MACULA Hebrew Linguistic Datasets © 2022-2024 by Biblica, Inc., CC BY 4.0. Westminster Leningrad Codex (tanach.us). OpenScriptures Hebrew Bible morphology (hb.openscriptures.org), CC BY 4.0.
Sources
eRhema lexical overview, based on the UBS Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew and the UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament (© United Bible Societies, CC BY-SA 4.0) and Macula Hebrew and Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0); released under CC BY-SA 4.0
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