חַלָּשׁ
frail
Definition
The Hebrew noun חַלָּשׁ (challâsh) fundamentally means 'frail,' 'weak,' or 'feeble.' It describes a state of physical or social vulnerability, often implying a lack of strength or power. In its sole biblical occurrence in Joel 3:10, it is used in a striking reversal: the prophet calls for the 'weak' (חַלָּשׁ) to declare themselves strong, as part of a divine summons to war. This suggests a condition that can be divinely overcome.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Joel 3:10. Its usage is highly rhetorical and prophetic. The context is God's call to assemble the nations for judgment, where the typical order is inverted: the weak are to proclaim strength. This singular use makes it a powerful, focused term for dramatic effect within a message of divine reversal and empowerment.
Etymology
חַלָּשׁ (challâsh) is derived from the verbal root חָלַשׁ (chalash, H2522), which means 'to be weak, prostrate, or sick.' The noun form carries the stative sense of being in a weakened condition. It is related to other words for sickness and feebleness in the Semitic language family.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, חַלָּשׁ is theologically significant in its context. In Joel 3:10, it highlights a core biblical theme: God's power is made perfect in human weakness. The command for the 'frail' to say 'I am strong' points to divine empowerment for God's purposes, prefiguring New Testament concepts like 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Joel by emphasizing that the coming day of the Lord involves a complete transformation of natural human limitations.
In ancient Israelite culture, physical weakness or frailty (חַלָּשׁ) often carried social and military implications. A person described this way would be seen as unfit for battle or heavy labor, potentially dependent on others. Joel's prophetic command subverts this cultural expectation, declaring that in God's ultimate conflict, such categories are overturned by divine decree.
חָלָשׁ (chalash, H2522) — the verbal root meaning 'to be weak or sick.'; דַּל (dal, H1800) — 'poor, low, weak,' often with economic or social connotations.; כָּשַׁל (kashal, H3782) — 'to stumble, fail, be weakened,' focusing on the act of faltering.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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