כָּשַׁל

to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble

Definition

The Hebrew verb כָּשַׁל (kâshal) primarily means to stumble, totter, or falter physically, often due to weakness in the legs or ankles (Leviticus 26:37). It extends metaphorically to describe moral or spiritual stumbling, where one fails ethically or falls into sin (2 Chronicles 28:23). In a national or military context, it signifies being overthrown, defeated, or brought to ruin (2 Chronicles 25:8). The word can also imply causing others to stumble, leading them into failure or sin (Nehemiah 4:10).

Biblical Usage

כָּשַׁל is used 59 times across various Old Testament genres, including historical narratives, poetry, and prophecy. It frequently appears in contexts of military defeat (2 Chronicles 28:15) and divine judgment, where God causes enemies or the unfaithful to stumble (Psalm 9:3). In wisdom literature, it describes the faltering of the wicked or those who lose strength (Job 4:4). Prophetic books use it to warn of national collapse due to covenant disobedience. The causative form (hiphil) often means to cause someone to stumble or to overthrow.

Etymology

A primitive root, כָּשַׁל is related to the concept of limping or being unsteady. Cognates appear in other Semitic languages with similar meanings of stumbling or weakening. The root conveys a fundamental idea of instability, whether physical, moral, or circumstantial.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it illustrates the consequences of straying from God's path. It underscores the biblical theme that human strength fails without divine support (1 Samuel 2:4). The concept of 'stumbling' is central to understanding sin, judgment, and the need for God's guidance. In prophetic literature, it highlights the link between covenant faithfulness and national stability, enriching readings about God's justice and human vulnerability.

In ancient Near Eastern culture, physical stumbling was often seen as an omen of misfortune or divine displeasure. The metaphor of stumbling would resonate in an agrarian, militaristic society where sure-footedness was vital for survival in battle and daily life. The term's use in legal and covenantal contexts reflects a worldview where moral failure had tangible, communal consequences.

נָפַל (naphal, H5307) — emphasizes the act of falling down, often more final than stumbling; פָּגַע (paga', H6293) — can mean to encounter or strike, sometimes with a sense of stumbling upon something; עָקַב (ʿaqav, H6117) — to supplant or trip at the heel, more specific in cause.

Word Details

Scripture References