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שַׁל

𐤔𐤋

shal

H7944 noun

SILEX Entry

Root שׁלה to be at ease, to be careless

Definition

A misstep, fault, or error, particularly in the sense of an act of stumbling, failure, or a lapse in conduct or judgment. While the basic sense is of a fault or error, it emphasizes a misdeed or slip that results in a negative outcome, whether in behavior or decision.

Semantic Range

fault, error, misstep, lapse, careless deed, act of stumbling

Root / Etymology

Root/Etymology: Derived from the Hebrew root שׁלה (שׁ־ל־ה), core meaning 'to be at ease, to be careless.' The noun שַׁל is an abbreviated or contracted form of the longer noun שָׁלָה. Though the root שׁלה typically conveys 'to be at ease' or 'to relax,' the nominal forms shift in some contexts toward 'carelessness,' and thus, by extension, 'fault' or 'error' that arises from such a state. The shortening of שָׁלָה to שַׁל appears as an alternative, perhaps poetic, form.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Historical & Contextual Notes: The word שַׁל appears very rarely in the Hebrew Bible, notably in poetic texts (e.g., Job 19:4). Its meaning is best understood within the context of Hebrew concepts of error or misdeed; unlike more common terms such as חֵטְא (sin, offense) or עָוֹן (iniquity), שַׁל emphasizes a personal lapse or fault, potentially arising from a state of carelessness or complacency. The rarity of its use means it did not develop significant theological nuance and is not associated with the technical vocabulary for sin in later Israelite or post-exilic traditions. English translations often render it simply as 'error' or 'wrong,' but the nuance of a 'slip' or a 'careless lapse' is better preserved in contexts where שַׁל is used. Later tradition sometimes blends אוּ forms from this root with other words for forgiveness or fault, but these are not attested uses in the biblical period.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from שָׁלָה abbreviated form; a fault; error.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שלה (š-l-h) — to be at ease, to be careless

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H7887 שִׁילֹה in Shiloh
H7951 שָׁלָה I was at ease
H7952 שָׁלָה may you become complacent
H7953 שָׁלָה he will draw out
H7954 שְׁלָה at ease

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7944-01 הַ/שַּׁ֑ל hashal HTd/Ncmsa his error the careless misstep 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7944-01 2 Samuel 6:7 הַ/שַּׁ֑ל hashal HTd/Ncmsa his error the careless misstep
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