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קַל

𐤒𐤋

qal

H7031 adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Light in weight or substance; not heavy or burdensome. Extends semantically to signify ease, insubstantiality, and by figurative extension, swiftness or quickness. Adverbially, it may indicate that an action is performed quickly or without delay.

Semantic Range

light in weight, light in burden, insubstantial, easy, quick, swift, performed with ease, rapidly, adverbially: swiftly, quickly

Root / Etymology

From the root קלל (q-l-l), which at its core means 'to be light, to be insignificant, to make light of.' The adjective קַל is formed directly from this root, emphasizing the attribute of lightness in a physical or measurable sense, with metaphorical development toward ease or swiftness.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, קַל primarily describes physical attributes, e.g., being light in weight (Genesis 18:7; 2 Samuel 1:23). Its use broadens metaphorically to actions performed rapidly or easily (e.g., quickly running). In poetry and elevated prose, it often takes on the adverbial meaning of 'swiftly' (Isaiah 30:16). The term is distinct from related adjectives like חָמוּר (heavy, serious) and shares a semantic domain with מְהִיר (quick, fast), but קַל carries the overtone of lacking weight or being unburdensome, which then extends to figurative and adverbial uses. English translations often render it as 'light,' 'swift,' or 'quick,' but may miss the idiomatic breadth the term holds in Hebrew. Over time, post-biblical Hebrew maintains sense of lightness or ease but tends to use other terms (e.g., קלות) for rapidity. The term does not directly connote frivolity or moral evaluation, as its verbal root might in other forms (e.g., יקל, 'to treat lightly, despise').

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

contracted from קָלַל; light; (by implication) rapid (also adverbial); light, swift(-ly).

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

קלל (Qalay) — to be light, to treat lightly, be of little account

Root קלל to be light, to treat lightly, be of little account
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H7040 קַלַּי Kallai
H7043 קָלַל his despising him
H7044 קָלָל burnished bright
H7045 קְלָלָה the despising-curse
H7052 קְלֹקֵל the insubstantial thing

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H7031-04 קַ֣ל qal HAamsa swift light swift 6
H7031-06 קַלִּ֗ים qalim HAampa swift light ones swifter 2
H7031-01 הַ/קַּ֔ל haqal HTd/Aamsa the swift the light one the swift one 1
H7031-02 לַ/קַּלִּ֨ים laqalim HRd/Aampa to the swift to the light ones to the swift 1
H7031-03 מִ/קָּ֔ל miqal HR/Aamsa from the swift from a light one from the swift 1
H7031-05 קַלָּ֖ה qalah HAafsa swift light swift 1
H7031-07 וְ/קַ֥ל veqal HC/Aamsa and swift and light and swift 1

Occurrences in Scripture

13 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H7031-04 2 Samuel 2:18 קַ֣ל qal HAamsa light light swift
H7031-04 Isaiah 5:26 קַ֥ל qal HAamsa swiftly light swiftly
H7031-06 Isaiah 18:2 קַלִּ֗ים qalim HAampa swift light ones swift ones
H7031-04 Isaiah 19:1 קַל֙ qal HAamsa swift light swift
H7031-04 Isaiah 30:16 קַ֣ל qal HAamsa swift light swift
H7031-05 Jeremiah 2:23 קַלָּ֖ה qalah HAafsa swift light swift
H7031-01 Jeremiah 46:6 הַ/קַּ֔ל haqal HTd/Aamsa the swift the light one the swift one
H7031-04 Joel 4:4 קַ֣ל qal HAamsa swift light swift
H7031-03 Amos 2:14 מִ/קָּ֔ל miqal HR/Aamsa from the swift from a light one from the swift
H7031-07 Amos 2:15 וְ/קַ֥ל veqal HC/Aamsa and swift and light and swift
H7031-04 Job 24:18 קַֽל qal HAamsa light light light
H7031-06 Lamentations 4:19 קַלִּ֤ים qalim HAampa swifter light ones swifter
H7031-02 Ecclesiastes 9:11 לַ/קַּלִּ֨ים laqalim HRd/Aampa to the swift to the light ones to the swift
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