Lexical Summary
qalal: cursed, curse, curses
Original Word:קָלַל
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:qalal
Pronunciation:kah-LAHL
Phonetic Spelling:(kaw-lal')
KJV: abate, make bright, bring into contempt, (ac-)curse, despise, (be) ease(-y, -ier), (be a, make, make somewhat, move, seem a, set) light(-en, -er, -ly, -ly afflict, -ly esteem, thing), X slight(-ly), be swift(-er), (be, be more, make, re-)vile, whet
NASB:cursed, curse, curses, lighten, swifter, abated, cursing
Word Origin:[a primitive root]
1. to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
abate, make bright, bring into contempt, accurse, despise, be easy
A primitive root; to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) Or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.) -- abate, make bright, bring into contempt, (ac-)curse, despise, (be) ease(-y, -ier), (be a, make, make somewhat, move, seem a, set) light(-en, -er, -ly, -ly afflict, -ly esteem, thing), X slight(-ly), be swift(-er), (be, be more, make, re-)vile, whet.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. root
Definitionto be slight, swift or trifling
NASB Translationabated (2), accursed (1), brought a curse (1), contempt (1), contemptible (1), curse (15), cursed (16), curses (8), cursing (2), despise (1), despised (2), ease (1), easier (1), easy (2), insignificant (1), light a thing (1), lighten (5), lightly esteemed (2), make it lighter (2), moved to and fro (1), shakes (1), sharpen (1), slight thing (1), small a thing (1), superficially (2), swift (1), swifter (5), treat us with contempt (1), treated (1), treated and lightly (1), trivial (1), trivial thing (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
[]
82 (probably originally
be light; Late Hebrew [], , =Biblical Hebrew; Assyrian
‡alâlu II.
depise, dishonour; so Tel Amarna (apparently Canaanism); Arabic
be small, scanty; Sabean
scanty Hal 143.8f. (compare Fell
ZMG liv (1900), 246); Ethiopic
be light, Small, easy; II.
despise; Targum , Syriac
= Biblical Hebrew; also (see
, etc.) Arabic
shake,
:vibrate, whirl (of sword),
:see be shaken; — SchwZAW xi (1891), 170 ff. thinksshake original, see ); —
Perfect2masculine singularNahum 1:14; 1singularJob 40:4; 3pluralGenesis 8:11 +;Imperfect. 3 feminine singularGenesis 16:4; 1singularGenesis 16:5; 3masculine plural1 Samuel 2:30; —
be slight, of water,be abated, fr off () earthGenesis 8:8,11(J).
be swift, with compare, of warriors2 Samuel 1:23, horsesJeremiah 4:13;Habakkuk 1:8; one's daysJob 7:6;Job 9:25.
trifling, i.e. of little account., of person,Genesis 16:4,5 (J; both with ;1 Samuel 2:30 (opposed to ).
Perfect3masculine singular (Ges §67 t.)2 Kings 20:30 +, consecutive2 Kings 3:18;Proverbs 14:6; 1singular consecutive2 Samuel 6:22;Imperfect3masculine pluralIsaiah 30:16;Participle feminine ()Jeremiah 6:14: + 2t ; —
shew oneself swiftIsaiah 30:16 ("" ).
appear trifling,1 Samuel 18:23 (; Infinitive subject, compare Dr), with comparebe too triflingIsaiah 49:6, especially of sin1 Kings 16:31 (Infinitive subject), and (with compare)Ezekiel 8:17;easy2 Kings 3:18 (),2 Kings 20:10 (c. Infinitive),Proverbs 14:6;Participle (as substantive) with in adverb phraselightly i.e. superficially,Jeremiah 6:14;Jeremiah 8:11.
be lightly esteemed2 Samuel 6:22 ("" ; opposed to ).
40Perfect3masculine singular2 Samuel 19:22 +, etc.;ImperfectLeviticus 20:9 +, etc :Imperative masculine singular2 Samuel 16:10;Infinitive constructGenesis 8:21:Joshua 24:9, etc.;ParticipleExodus 21:17 +; suffixJeremiah 15:10, read ! (Baer); error for JDMich Gf Gie Du and others, etc.; —curse (properlymake contemptible):
with accusative of person homin.Exodus 21:27 (E),Genesis 12:3 (J),Leviticus 19:14 (H),Judges 9:27;2 Samuel 16:9 16t.;1 Kings 2:8; object omitted2 Samuel 16:5,7,10,11,13;Psalm 62:5;Psalm 109:28 (opposed to ); acc person + of oath1 Samuel 17:43;2 Kings 2:24; with of oath aloneIsaiah 8:21.
with accusative deiExodus 22:27 (E),Leviticus 24:15 (H),1 Samuel 3:13 (reading for Comm.), + (object omitted)Leviticus 24:11,14,23
with accusative of thingGenesis 8:21( subject),Job 3:1.
Imperfect) 3 masculine singularIsaiah 65:20be cursed by death; 3 feminine singularJob 24:18 their portionis cursed;Participle plural suffixPsalm 37:22=those cursed by him (opposed to ).
Perfect3masculine singularIsaiah 8:23; 2masculine singular suffix2 Samuel 19:44 (van d. H. -); 3 pluralEzekiel 22:7;Imperfect3masculine singular1 Samuel 6:5;Imperative masculine singular;Exodus 18:22+;Infinitive construct id.,Isaiah 23:9;Jonah 1:5; —
make light, lighten,1 Samuel 6:5;he will lighten his hand from upon you; c,. person alone,make light from upon one, lighten one's burdenExodus 18:22 (E),Jonah 1:5;1 Kings 12:10 2Chronicles 10:10; + partitive1 Kings 12:4,9 2Chronicles 10:4,9.
treat with contempt, accusative of person2 Samuel 19:44;Isaiah 23:9;Ezekiel 22:7; direct causativebring contempt, dishonourIsaiah 8:23 (opposed to ).
Perfect3masculine singular
shakeEzekiel 21:26 (in divination).
(peculiarly)whetEcclesiastes 10:10 (properly move quickly to and fro).
reflexive of
:Perfect3pluralJeremiah 4:24 hillsshook themselves, shook.
Topical Lexicon
Semantic rangeThe root carries the idea of lightness in weight or status, and from that core meaning develops four dominant nuances: 1) something easy or slight, 2) treating a person or thing with contempt, 3) uttering a curse or imprecation, 4) swiftness or rapid motion. These senses overlap in that whatever is “light” may be regarded as trivial, despised, or quickly passed over.
Distribution
About eighty-two occurrences, with concentrations in Torah (especially legal texts on cursing), in the narratives of Samuel–Kings, and in prophetic indictments. Less frequent but theologically rich appearances occur in Psalms and Proverbs.
Lightness as ease or simplicity
The word can describe an action so effortless that only God could perform it.
•2 Kings 3:18: “This is an easy thing in the sight of the LORD; He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand.”
•Isaiah 49:6: “It is too small a thing for You to be My Servant to restore the tribes of Jacob…”.
By affirming that nothing is “too slight” for the LORD, Scripture magnifies divine omnipotence while encouraging faith amid overwhelming odds.
Contempt and humiliation
When directed toward people the root speaks of belittling or despising.
•Genesis 16:4 records Hagar’s attitude toward Sarai: “her mistress was despised in her eyes.”
•1 Samuel 17:42 shows Goliath’s disdain: “he despised him, for David was only a youth.”
•Psalm 106:24 laments Israel’s sin: “They despised the pleasant land; they did not believe His promise.”
Human contempt rejects the honor bestowed by the Creator, and thus reveals unbelief. The contrast between “heavy” honor (kabod) and “light” contempt (qalal) recurs throughout the canon.
Verbal cursing and legal gravity
Cursing reduces another’s dignity to “nothing.” The command “Honor your father and mother” is guarded by severe penalties for the opposite behavior:
•Exodus 21:17: “Whoever curses his father or mother must surely be put to death.”
•Leviticus 19:14: “You shall not curse the deaf…”—the vulnerable are shielded.
•Numbers 22 (five occurrences) highlights Balaam’s futile attempt to curse those whom God has blessed, reinforcingGenesis 12:3, “I will curse those who curse you.”
Under covenant law, spoken contempt toward parents, rulers (Exodus 22:28), or Israel’s elect nation is an offense against God Himself. The seriousness of words anticipates New Testament teaching that blessings and cursings spring from the same tongue (James 3).
Swift movement
A few texts use the root for speed:
•Deuteronomy 28:49 portrays a nation “swift as the eagle flies.”
•Jeremiah 4:13 likens invading armies to “his chariots like a whirlwind; his horses are swifter than eagles.”
Here the metaphorical “lightness” becomes rapid, unstoppable advance, intensifying prophetic warning.
Covenant blessings and curses
The Abrahamic promise sets the theological frame: God blesses those who bless and “qalal” the one who treats Abraham’s line lightly (Genesis 12:3). Deuteronomy’s covenant ceremony (chapters 27–30) echoes the pattern; contempt for God’s commands leads to covenant curse, while reverent obedience secures blessing. The prophets invoke this principle when nations or rulers belittle Zion, assuring that the LORD will vindicate His name.
Christological significance
Messiah experiences human contempt yet triumphs. ThoughIsaiah 53:3 uses a different verb, the theme aligns: the One men “esteem lightly” becomes the cornerstone (Psalm 118:22). The mockery leveled at Jesus (Matthew 27:29–31) fulfills the pattern of qalal, while His resurrection proves that what humanity counts trivial God exalts (Philippians 2:9).Galatians 3:13 shows Him bearing the curse so believers might inherit blessing, reversing the negative force of qalal for all who trust Him.
Practical ministry applications
1. Speech stewardship – Words can carry either blessing or qalal. Believers are urged: “Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths” (Ephesians 4:29).
2. Honor for authority – Parental, civil, and ecclesial leaders are not to be slighted. The seriousness of verbal contempt in Torah underlines New Testament instructions such as1 Timothy 5:1.
3. Compassion for the vulnerable –Leviticus 19:14 applies today in safeguarding those easily dismissed.
4. Confidence in God’s power – What appears “too small” for human effort is “light” for the LORD (2 Kings 3:18); prayer and mission should be pursued accordingly.
Summary
Strong’s 7043 sketches a stark contrast: what God treats as weighty, sinful humanity often considers light; what people deem inconsequential, God may use mightily. To bless rather than curse, to honor rather than despise, and to trust the LORD for whom every deliverance is “an easy thing”—such responses embody the biblical theology of qalal.
Forms and Transliterations
בְּקַֽלְל֑וֹ בקללו הֱקִלֹּתַ֔נִי הֲנָקֵ֣ל הֲנָקֵל֙ הֲקַ֣לּוּ הִתְקַלְקָֽלוּ׃ הֵקַ֞ל הֵקַ֣לּוּ הַֽמְקַלֵּ֗ל הַֽנְקַלָּ֤ה הָקֵ֣ל הָקֵל֙ הָקֵל֩ המקלל הנקל הנקלה הקל הקלו הקלתני התקלקלו׃ וְהָקֵל֙ וְנָקַ֥ל וְקִלֵּ֧ל וְקַלּ֨וּ וִֽיקַלֵּ֔ל וַֽיְקַלְל֖וּ וַֽיְקַלְלֵ֖ם וַיְקַלֵּ֔ל וַיְקַלֵּ֖ל וַיְקַלֵּ֧ל וַתֵּקַ֥ל וָאֲקַֽלְלֵ֔ם וָאֵקַ֖ל וּ֝מְקֻלָּלָ֗יו וּמְקַלֵּ֥ל וּמְקַלֵּֽל׃ וּמְקַלֶּלְךָ֖ וּנְקַלֹּ֤תִי ואקל ואקללם והקל ויקלל ויקללו ויקללם ומקלל ומקלל׃ ומקלליו ומקללך ונקל ונקלתי וקלו וקלל ותקל יְקַֽלְלוּ־ יְקַלְלוּ־ יְקַלֵּ֑ל יְקַלֵּ֗ל יְקַלֵּ֞ל יְקַלֵּ֥ל יְקַלֵּ֧ל יְקַלֶּלְךָ֥ יְקֻלָּֽל׃ יִקַּ֥לּוּ יֵקָֽלּוּ׃ יָקֵ֤ל יקל יקלו יקלו׃ יקלל יקלל׃ יקללו־ יקללך לְהָקֵ֖ל לְקַֽלְל֔וֹ לְקַֽלְלֶֽךָּ׃ לְקַלֵּ֥ל לְקַלֵּ֨ל להקל לקלל לקללו לקללך׃ מְ֭קַלֵּל מְקַֽלְלִ֤ים מְקַלְלֶֽךָ׃ מְקַלְלַֽונִי׃ מקלל מקללוני׃ מקללים מקללך׃ נְקַלָּ֔ה נָקֵ֣ל נָקֵ֨ל נָקָֽל׃ נקל נקל׃ נקלה קִֽלְלַ֙נִי֙ קִלְקַ֔ל קִלְקַ֤ל קִלֵּ֖ל קִלַּ֥לְתָּ קַ֔לּוּ קַ֥לּוּ קַ֭לֹּתִי קַ֭לּוּ קַלֵּ֣ל קַלּ֥וּ קַלּֽוֹתָ׃ קלו קלות׃ קלל קללני קללת קלקל קלתי תְּקַלֵּ֔ל תְּקַלֵּ֖ל תְּקֻלַּ֣ל תְקַלֵּ֑ל תְקַלֵּ֣ל תקלל bə·qal·lōw bekalLo bəqallōw hă·nā·qêl hă·qal·lū hā·qêl haKallu haKel ham·qal·lêl hamkalLel hamqallêl han·qal·lāh hanaKel hănāqêl hankalLah hanqallāh hăqallū hāqêl hê·qal hê·qal·lū hĕ·qil·lō·ṯa·nî heKal heKallu hekilloTani hêqal hêqallū hĕqillōṯanî hiṯ·qal·qā·lū hitkalKalu hiṯqalqālū kalLel kalLota Kalloti Kallu kilKal kilLalta kilLani kilLel lə·hā·qêl lə·qal·le·kā lə·qal·lêl lə·qal·lōw lehaKel ləhāqêl leKalLeka lekalLel lekalLo ləqallekā ləqallêl ləqallōw mə·qal·la·w·nî mə·qal·le·ḵā mə·qal·lêl mə·qal·lîm mekalLavni mekalLecha Mekallel mekalLim məqallawnî məqalleḵā məqallêl məqallîm nā·qāl nā·qêl naKal naKel nāqāl nāqêl nə·qal·lāh nekalLah nəqallāh qal·lêl qal·lō·ṯî qal·lō·w·ṯā qal·lū qallêl qallōṯî qallōwṯā qallū qil·la·nî qil·lal·tā qil·lêl qil·qal qillaltā qillanî qillêl qilqal tə·qal·lêl ṯə·qal·lêl tə·qul·lal tekalLel tekulLal təqallêl ṯəqallêl təqullal ū·mə·qal·lêl ū·mə·qal·lel·ḵā ū·mə·qul·lā·lāw ū·nə·qal·lō·ṯî umekalLel umekallelCha umekullaLav ūməqallêl ūməqallelḵā ūməqullālāw unekalLoti ūnəqallōṯî vaakalLem vaeKal vatteKal vaykalLel vaykalLem vaykalLu vehaKel vekalLu vekilLel venaKal vikalLel wā’ăqallêm wā’êqal wā·’ă·qal·lêm wā·’ê·qal wat·tê·qal wattêqal way·qal·lêl way·qal·lêm way·qal·lū wayqallêl wayqallêm wayqallū wə·hā·qêl wə·nā·qal wə·qal·lū wə·qil·lêl wəhāqêl wənāqal wəqallū wəqillêl wî·qal·lêl wîqallêl yā·qêl yaKel yāqêl yə·qal·lêl yə·qal·lel·ḵā yê·qāl·lū yə·qal·lū- yə·qul·lāl yekalLel yekallelCha yeKallu yekulLal yəqallêl yəqallelḵā yêqāllū yəqallū- yəqullāl yikKallu yiq·qal·lū yiqqallū
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