Topical Encyclopedia
The term "halt" in the Bible is often used to describe a state of limping or lameness, both in a physical and metaphorical sense. It appears in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, illustrating both physical infirmity and spiritual indecision or wavering.
Physical Lameness:In the Old Testament, "halt" is frequently used to describe physical lameness. For example, in
Genesis 32:31, after Jacob wrestles with the angel, it is noted, "The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip." This physical halting is a result of the divine encounter, symbolizing both a physical and spiritual transformation in Jacob's life.
Similarly, in
2 Samuel 4:4, Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, is described as "lame in both feet" due to an accident in his childhood. His condition of being "halt" serves as a backdrop to the narrative of David's kindness and covenant faithfulness to the house of Saul.
Metaphorical Usage:The term "halt" is also used metaphorically to describe spiritual indecision or a lack of commitment. In
1 Kings 18:21, the prophet Elijah challenges the Israelites, saying, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him." Here, the word "waver" is akin to being spiritually "halt," indicating a state of indecision and lack of faithfulness to God.
This metaphorical use underscores the importance of spiritual decisiveness and commitment. The call to choose between God and false idols is a recurring theme in the Bible, emphasizing the need for wholehearted devotion to the Lord.
New Testament References:In the New Testament, the concept of being "halt" is addressed in the context of Jesus' healing ministry. In
Luke 14:21, in the Parable of the Great Banquet, the master instructs his servant, "Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the city, and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame." The inclusion of the "lame" or "halt" in the invitation to the banquet symbolizes the inclusive nature of God's kingdom, where physical infirmities do not bar one from receiving God's grace and salvation.
Spiritual Implications:The biblical use of "halt" serves as a powerful reminder of both human frailty and the need for divine intervention. Whether referring to physical lameness or spiritual indecision, the term highlights the necessity of relying on God's strength and guidance. The healing of the "halt" by Jesus in the Gospels further illustrates His authority over physical and spiritual ailments, offering hope and restoration to those who are willing to follow Him.
In summary, the concept of "halt" in the Bible encompasses both physical and spiritual dimensions, calling believers to seek healing and wholeness through faith in God.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Lame on the feet (
Genesis 32:31;
Psalm 38:17). To "halt between two opinions" (
1 Kings 18:21) is supposed by some to be an expression used in "allusion to birds, which hop from spray to spray, forwards and backwards." The LXX. render the expression "How long go ye lame on both knees?" The Hebrew verb rendered "halt" is used of the irregular dance ("leaped upon") around the altar (ver. 26). It indicates a lame, uncertain gait, going now in one direction, now in another, in the frenzy of wild leaping.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v.) 3d pers. sing. pres. of Hold, contraction for holdeth.
2. (n.) A stop in marching or walking, or in any action; arrest of progress.
3. (v. i.) To hold one's self from proceeding; to hold up; to cease progress; to stop for a longer or shorter period; to come to a stop; to stand still.
4. (v. i.) To stand in doubt whether to proceed, or what to do; to hesitate; to be uncertain.
5. (v. t.) To cause to cease marching; to stop; as, the general halted his troops for refreshment.
6. (a.) Halting or stopping in walking; lame.
7. (n.) The act of limping; lameness.
8. (v.) To walk lamely; to limp.
9. (v.) To have an irregular rhythm; to be defective.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
HALTholt (tsala`, "to limp"; cholos, "lame," "crippled"): the American Standard Revised Version inGenesis 32:31 prefers "limped"; inMicah 4:6, 7; Ze 3:19, "is (or was) lame"; inLuke 14:21, the American Standard Revised Version and the English Revised Version have "lame." In1 Kings 18:21 a different word (pacach) is used in English Versions of the Bible of moral indecision: "How long halt ye between two opinions?" the American Standard Revised Version renders, "How long go ye limping between the two sides?"
Greek
5560. cholos -- lame,halt, maimed... lame,
halt, maimed. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: cholos Phonetic Spelling:
(kho-los') Short Definition: lame, deprived of a foot Definition: lame
...2476. histemi -- to make to stand, to stand
... root sta- Definition to make to stand, to stand NASB Word Usage brought (1), bystanders
(1), bystanders* (1), came (1), came to ahalt (1), come (1), confirmed...
1365. distazo -- twenty thousand
... stance" and hence (waver); (figuratively) because refusing to choose way over the
other -- "wanting to have our cake and eat it too"; tohalt between two...
2647. kataluo -- to destroy, overthrow
... From kata and luo; to loosen down (disintegrate), ie (by implication) to demolish
(literally or figuratively); specially (compare kataluma) tohalt for the...
Strong's Hebrew
6452. pacach -- to pass or spring over... pacach. 6452a . to pass or spring over. Transliteration: pacach Phonetic Spelling:
(paw-sakh') Short Definition:
halt.
halt, become lame, leap, pass over
...6760. tsala -- to limp
...halt. A primitive root: probably to curve; used only as denominative from tsela',
to limp (as if one-sided) --halt. see HEBREW tsela'. 6759, 6760....
6761. tsela -- limping, stumbling
... adversity, halting. From tsala'; a limping or full (figuratively) -- adversity,
halt(-ing). see HEBREW tsala'. 6760, 6761. tsela. 6762 . Strong's Numbers.
5975. amad -- to take one's stand, stand
... 1), enter (1), entered (2), erected (1), establish (1), established (2), establishing
(1), fixed (1), fulfill (1), gives stability (1),halt (1), halted (1...
Library
Halt at Dora.
... Book IV. Chapter I."Halt at Dora. Having set out from C??sarea on the way
to Tripolis, we made our first stoppage at a small town...
October 23. "How LongHalt Ye Between Two Opinions?" (I. Kings...
... OCTOBER 23. "How longhalt ye between two opinions?" (I. Kings xviii. 21).
"How longhalt ye between two opinions?" (I. Kings xviii.21)....
Ninth Sunday after Trinity. How LongHalt Ye Between Two Opinions?...
... Ninth Sunday after Trinity. How longhalt ye between two opinions? If the
Lord... follow him. How longhalt ye between two opinions? If...
Compel them to Come In
... will find an amplification of this command: "Go out quickly into the streets and
lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, the maimed, thehalt, and the...
Gott Der Vater Wohn' Uns Bei. God, the Father, with us Stay.
... Fuer dem Teufel uns bewahr,Halt' uns bei festem Glauben, Und auf dich lass uns
bauen, Aus Herzen Grund vertrauen, Dir uns lassen ganz und gar; Mit allen...
John iv. 54; v. 1
... In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, [953] ofhalt, blind, withered,
waiting for the moving of the water.". What manner of cure is this?...
The Veil of Veronica.
... The suddenness of this courageous act of Seraphia had surprised the guards, and
caused a momentary although unintentionalhalt, of which she had taken...
Elijah's Appeal to the Undecided
... at the Music Hall, Royal Surrey Gardens. "How longhalt ye between two opinions?
If the Lord be God, follow him; if Baal, then follow him.""1 Kings 18:21....
Nun Freut Euch, Lieben Christen G'Mein. Dear Christians, one and...
... 7. Er sprach zu mir:halt' dich an mich, Es soll dir jetzt gelingen, Ich geb' mich
selber ganz fuer dich, Da will ich fuer dich ringen; Denn ich bin dein und...
Elijah
... and he said it, till it became his name; whether given him by his parents, or by
the people, his name was Elijah, 'The Lord is God.' 'How longhalt ye between...
Thesaurus
Maimed (10 Occurrences)... The word is also used to denote those who were so mutilated. Among those made whole
by our Lord in Galilee were the maimed as well as the
halt (Matthew 15:30).
...Limp (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) Tohalt; to walk lamely. Also used
figuratively. 2. (n.) Ahalt; the act of limping. 3. (n...
Causeth (209 Occurrences)
... 18:8 And if thy hand or thy foot causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it
from thee: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed orhalt, rather than...
Stand (542 Occurrences)
... on the Seine. 5. (n.) To cease from progress; not to proceed; to stop;
to pause; tohalt; to remain stationary. 6. (n.) To remain...
Joab (128 Occurrences)
... of hostilities. Joab calls ahalt, but declares that he would not cease
had Abner not made his plea. (b) 2 Samuel 3:12-29. Abner...
Offend (24 Occurrences)
... Matthew 18:8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast
them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into lifehalt or maimed...
Halt (12 Occurrences)
... To "halt between two opinions" (1 Kings 18:21) is supposed by some to be an expression
used in "allusion to birds, which hop from spray to spray, forwards and...
Halted (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofHalt. Multi-Version Concordance
Halted (9 Occurrences). Luke 7:14 Then He went close and...
Opinion (91 Occurrences)
... of ce`ippim, from ca`aph, "to divide or branch out," hence, division or party,
unsettled opinion (in the memorable appeal of Elijah, "How longhalt ye between...
Opinions (7 Occurrences)
... by Absalom. (BBE). 1 Kings 18:21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and
said, How longhalt ye between two opinions? if the LORD...
Resources
What is the significance of Assyria in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho were the Samaritans? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the full armor of God? | GotQuestions.orgHalt: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
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