חָלַשׁ
𐤇𐤋𐤔
châlash
H2522 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To become weak, to be feeble, to lose strength or vigor (physically or metaphorically); occasionally, to be overthrown or brought low, particularly in the context of military or existential struggle. The word can express physical frailty, emotional or moral weakness, or the enfeeblement of groups or nations.
Semantic Range
to become weak, to be feeble, to lose strength, to be overthrown, to decay, to be brought low, to be discomfited, to waste away
Root / Etymology
The root ח־ל־ש (חָלַשׁ) is attested as a verbal root conveying the sense of becoming weak or being made weak. The root meaning centers on the notion of 'weakness', both literal (as in physical frailty) and figurative (as in defeat or loss of power).
Historical & Contextual Notes
חָלַשׁ occurs in several biblical texts, primarily in contexts of physical or strategic weakness. In military passages, it is used to describe the weakening or defeat of groups (Judg 4:21; 2 Sam 13:28). In personal or metaphorical contexts (such as poetry or prophecy), it may refer to inner frailty or the loss of moral resolve. While the Strong's gloss includes 'to prostrate' and 'discomfit', these are extensions from the idea of being reduced or rendered weak, not primary meanings; actual instances of physical prostration would use different Hebrew roots (such as חוה or נפל). The term is distinct from similar roots like חָלָה (to be sick) or רָפָה (to relax, become slack), as חָלַשׁ emphasizes incapacity due to loss of strength or vigor, rather than a general looseness or illness. In later biblical periods, the concept of weakness may acquire more metaphorical significance (e.g., national decline or moral decay), but in all periods, the core sense remains loss of power or functionality. Modern translations often use 'weaken', 'become weak', or 'lose strength', which are generally accurate but may overlook nuances of defeat or strategic disadvantage in some contexts. 'Overthrow' and 'decay' are not direct meanings but contextual results of weakness.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to prostrate; by implication, to overthrow, decay; discomfit, waste away, weaken.
Bantu Hebrew
| Language | Bantu Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bemba | kola | to become weak, languish, be helpless or exhausted (physical or emotional weakness, frailty, powerlessness) | |
| Ila | kola | be weak, lack strength | |
| Lenje | kola | become limp, tired, exhausted | |
| Sala | kóla | become weak, faint, languish | |
| Tonga (Zambia) | kola | grow weak, become faint/languish |
Root Family
חלש (chălûwshâh) — to be weak, to become feeble, to lose strength
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2522-01 |
חוֹלֵ֖שׁ | cholesh | HVqrmsa |
who weakened | weakening one | weakened one | 1 |
H2522-02 |
וַ/יַּחֲלֹ֧שׁ | vayachalosh | HC/Vqw3ms |
overwhelmed | he became weak | he overthrew | 1 |
H2522-03 |
וַֽ/יֶּחֱלָ֑שׁ | vayechelash | HC/Vqw3ms |
and is laid low | and he became weak | and he became weak | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2522-02 |
Exodus 17:13 | וַ/יַּחֲלֹ֧שׁ | vayachalosh | HC/Vqw3ms |
overwhelmed | he became weak | he overthrew |
H2522-01 |
Isaiah 14:12 | חוֹלֵ֖שׁ | cholesh | HVqrmsa |
who weakened | weakening one | weakened one |
H2522-03 |
Job 14:10 | וַֽ/יֶּחֱלָ֑שׁ | vayechelash | HC/Vqw3ms |
and is laid low | and he became weak | and he became weak |