קָל
𐤒𐤋
qâl
H7032 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Sound, noise, or voice; refers broadly to any audible signal or vocalization, human or otherwise. In Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible, particularly Daniel and Ezra, the term denotes the act of speaking (voice), proclamation, report, or any distinct auditory event (sound, noise). The specific meaning depends on context, ranging from a literal voice to any perceivable sound.
Semantic Range
voice, sound, noise, proclamation, report, utterance, spoken announcement
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root ק־ל (qal), corresponding to the Hebrew root ק-ו-ל (qwl) conveying the sense of sound or voice. In Aramaic, the spelling and form reflect dialectal differences but share the same core etymological base with Hebrew קוֹל (qōl).
Historical & Contextual Notes
The word is an Aramaic noun parallel to the common Hebrew קוֹל. It is used mainly within Aramaic passages in Daniel and Ezra, often appearing in official or narrative speech to signal spoken proclamation (voice) or announce a command (sound, report). The term, like its Hebrew equivalent, can refer to both human utterance and inanimate or supernatural sounds. English translations typically use 'voice', 'sound', or 'noise' depending on context, but some nuance, such as the authoritative or performative aspect of official proclamations, may be lost. Distinct from Hebrew שֵׁמַע (shéma‘, “hearing”), which emphasizes reception rather than emission of sound.
Translation Consistency
“Sound” is the most natural, broadly applicable choice for Aramaic qâl. It covers literal noises and voices as well as audible reports or proclamations, matching the SILEX range, and it was the majority rendering in the P2 data. “Voice” is narrower (speaking only), whereas “sound” consistently fits both literal and figurative contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to קוֹל; {a voice or sound}; sound, voice.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
קל (qâl) — to be light, swift, to make a sound, utter
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7032-02 |
קָ֣ל | qal | ANcmsc |
sound | light | sound | 6 |
H7032-01 |
בְּ/קָ֥ל | beqal | AR/Ncmsa |
with-a-voice | with a sound | with a voice | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
7 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7032-02 |
Daniel 3:5 | קָ֣ל | qal | ANcmsc |
sound | light | sound |
H7032-02 |
Daniel 3:7 | קָ֣ל | qal | ANcmsc |
sound | light | sound |
H7032-02 |
Daniel 3:10 | קָ֣ל | qal | ANcmsc |
the sound | light | sound |
H7032-02 |
Daniel 3:15 | קָ֣ל | qal | ANcmsc |
sound | light | sound |
H7032-02 |
Daniel 4:28 | קָ֖ל | qal | ANcmsa |
a voice | light | sound |
H7032-01 |
Daniel 6:21 | בְּ/קָ֥ל | beqal | AR/Ncmsa |
with-a-voice | with a sound | with a voice |
H7032-02 |
Daniel 7:11 | קָל֙ | qal | ANcmsc |
the sound | light | sound |