חֲלוּשָׁה
𐤇𐤋𐤅𐤔𐤄
chălûwshâh
H2476 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
State of being weakened, subdued, or rendered powerless; often denotes defeat in battle or being overwhelmed by a stronger force. The term can encompass physical weakness, military defeat, or the condition of being overpowered in various contexts.
Semantic Range
state of being weakened, defeat (in battle), being overpowered, feebleness, powerlessness
Root / Etymology
From the root חלש, meaning 'to be weak, to become feeble.' The word חֲלוּשָׁה is a feminine passive participle form, denoting the state or condition resulting from being weakened or overcome. It is a nominalized form expressing the quality or fact of having been made weak.
Historical & Contextual Notes
חֲלוּשָׁה occurs rarely in the Hebrew Bible and reflects a more abstract, stative description than the simple verb. Its usage generally pertains to the aftermath of conflict, especially military encounters, signifying the state of having been defeated or overpowered. In some contexts, it can also refer to the loss of strength or capacity, whether in individuals or groups. The term does not carry the specific connotations of 'captivity' or 'exile' present in other Hebrew words associated with defeat (such as גָּלוּת for exile), nor does it inherently include ideas of guilt or moral failure. Later Hebrew employs related terms for general weakness or infirmity, but the biblical usage is more situational, tied to the experience of loss or failure, primarily in a collective or martial sense. English translations typically render it as 'defeat' or 'being overcome,' though these may not fully reflect the nuance of powerlessness or subjugation implied in certain contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
feminine passive participle of חָלַשׁ; defeat; being overcome.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
חלש (ḥ-l-sh) — to be weak, to become feeble, to lose strength
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2476-01 |
חֲלוּשָׁ֑ה | chalushah | HNcfsa |
of weakness | weakened state | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2476-01 |
Exodus 32:18 | חֲלוּשָׁ֑ה | chalushah | HNcfsa |
of weakness | weakened state |