Lexical Summary
chadel: Failing, lacking, idle
Original Word:חָדֵל
Part of Speech:Adjective
Transliteration:chadel
Pronunciation:khaw-del'
Phonetic Spelling:(khaw-dale')
KJV: he that forbeareth, frail, rejected
NASB:forsaken, refuses, transient
Word Origin:[fromH2308 (חָדַל - cease)]
1. vacant, i.e. ceasing or destitute
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
he that forbears, frail, rejected
Fromchadal; vacant, i.e. Ceasing or destitute -- he that forbeareth, frail, rejected.
see HEBREWchadal
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
chadalDefinitionforbearing, lacking
NASB Translationforsaken (1), refuses (1), transient (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
, as substantive
Ezekiel 3:27he that forbeareth (opposed to , compare
near the end); constructIsaiah 53:3lacking men (i.e. forsaken by them); —ceasing, transientPsalm 39:5, but read rather see Checritical note.
Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Nuanceחָדֵל characteristically marks something that has ceased, is lacking, or is deliberately withheld. In Scripture it shades from the idea of personal frailty (our life quickly “fails”), through social abandonment (one who is “lacking” human support), to willful refusal (a person who “refrains” from responding). Though the contexts differ, each setting highlights absence where presence ought to be—whether of strength, acceptance, or obedience.
Occurrences in Scripture
Psalm 39:4;Isaiah 53:3;Ezekiel 3:27.
Psalm 39:4 – Human Frailty and the Brevity of Life
“Show me, O LORD, my end and the measure of my days, so that I may know how fleeting I am.”
David prays to grasp how “failing” (חָדֵל) he is. The word underlines the transience of mortal life. Recognizing that our strength is always diminishing summons humility, repentance, and dependence upon the everlasting God (Psalm 90:12;James 4:14).
Isaiah 53:3 – The Rejected Servant
“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief.”
Here חָדֵל defines Messiah as “lacking” the acceptance of humanity. Although fully worthy of honor, the Servant experiences the void of human solidarity. The verse anticipates the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ—His rejection by religious leaders (Matthew 26:67-68), abandonment by disciples (Mark 14:50), and scorn of the crowd (John 19:15). Divine purpose turns this absence into redemptive suffering, fulfilling the will of the LORD to crush Him for our iniquities (Isaiah 53:10).
Ezekiel 3:27 – The Watchman’s Audience
“Whoever listens, let him listen; and whoever refuses, let him refuse; for they are a rebellious house.”
חָדֵל describes the rebellious choice to withhold obedience. The prophet’s message demands a decision; silence or non-response is itself accountable. The same dynamic is seen in Jesus’ parables (Matthew 13:9) and in the apostolic preaching (Acts 28:24-27). Refusal does not invalidate the word; it exposes the heart.
Historical and Cultural Background
In the Ancient Near East, communal belonging and covenant loyalty were pillars of stability. To be “lacking” men (Isaiah 53:3) signified social death, and to “cease” responding to a herald (Ezekiel 3:27) defied royal authority. Scripture transposes these cultural expectations to the divine realm: the LORD is rightful King, the Servant is the rightful Brother, and every human being owes Him hearing and honor. חָדֵל spotlights the gravity of withdrawing what is due.
Theological Significance
1. Human finitude: The term reminds believers that life and strength are gifts, not entitlements (Psalm 103:15-16).
2. Sin’s relational rupture: Rejection of the Servant unveils the depth of human alienation from God (John 1:11).
3. Moral responsibility: Even when people refuse, God’s word remains active, dividing those who heed from those who withhold (Hebrews 4:12-13).
Christological Insights
Isaiah’s use grounds the doctrine of Christ’s vicarious suffering. The One “lacking” human support becomes the very source of eternal support for those who trust Him (Hebrews 2:17-18). His willingness to endure חָדֵל on earth assures believers that He understands every experience of loneliness or rejection (Hebrews 4:15).
Practical Ministry Applications
• Pastoral care should acknowledge the brevity of life, directing congregants toward eternal priorities (Ephesians 5:15-17).
• Evangelism must reckon with possible refusal; yet the messenger, like Ezekiel, must still speak (2 Timothy 4:2).
• Comfort for the despised: Believers who suffer exclusion can identify with the rejected Servant, finding dignity and hope in Him (1 Peter 2:21-25).
Connection with New Testament Themes
James 4:14 echoesPsalm 39:4 on life’s fleeting nature.John 1:11 mirrorsIsaiah 53:3, showing the persistence of rejection in Christ’s ministry.Acts 28:27 reflectsEzekiel 3:27, illustrating ongoing human refusal of divine revelation. Each reference sustains the unified biblical witness that God speaks, humanity often withholds response, yet redemption advances through the faithful obedience of His Servant.
Summary
חָדֵל threads through Scripture to expose what is missing—our abiding strength, our proper welcome of the Savior, and our ready obedience. Confronting that lack drives us to the One who never fails, who fills what is empty, and who turns human deficiency into the stage for divine sufficiency.
Forms and Transliterations
וְהֶחָדֵ֣ל ׀ וַחֲדַ֣ל והחדל וחדל חָדֵ֥ל חדל chaDel ḥā·ḏêl ḥāḏêl vachaDal vehechaDel wa·ḥă·ḏal waḥăḏal wə·he·ḥā·ḏêl wəheḥāḏêl
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