כְּלִמּוּת

disgrace

Definition

כְּלִמּוּת (kᵉlimmûwth) refers to a state of profound disgrace, shame, or humiliation. It describes the public experience of dishonor, often as a direct consequence of wrongdoing or divine judgment. The word carries a strong sense of being put to shame or made an object of contempt. Its sole biblical occurrence in Jeremiah 23:40 illustrates this as a permanent, enduring disgrace brought upon false prophets.

Biblical Usage

This noun is used only once in the Old Testament, in Jeremiah 23:40. It appears in a prophetic oracle of judgment against false prophets who speak lies in God's name. The context is a judicial pronouncement, where God declares He will bring upon them 'everlasting disgrace' (כְּלִמּוּת עוֹלָם, kᵉlimmûwth ʿôlām). The usage is intense and final, denoting a permanent, unending state of shame as a direct penalty for their deception.

Etymology

The word כְּלִמּוּת is a derivative of the more common noun כְּלִמָּה (kᵉlimmâ, H3639), which also means 'shame, disgrace, dishonor.' It is built from the root כלם (k-l-m), which conveys the core idea of being humiliated, put to shame, or dishonored. The -ûth ending typically forms abstract nouns, intensifying the state or quality of the base word, thus giving כְּלִמּוּת a sense of a profound or enduring condition of shame.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it captures the severe consequence of opposing God's truth, particularly through false prophecy. In Jeremiah 23:40, the 'everlasting disgrace' is not merely a social emotion but a divinely imposed state of judgment. It contrasts with the honor due to God and His true messengers. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Jeremiah by highlighting the serious, eternal weight God places on the integrity of His word and the grave responsibility of those who claim to speak for Him.

In ancient Israelite culture, honor and shame were pivotal social values. Public disgrace (כְּלִמּוּת) was a devastating fate, affecting one's standing in the community and family. The prophetic declaration of an 'everlasting' shame would have been understood as the ultimate, irreversible destruction of a person's reputation and legacy, a punishment worse than physical death in a culture deeply concerned with name and honor.

כְּלִמָּה (kᵉlimmâ, H3639) — The more common base word for shame or disgrace, often used in various contexts. בּוּשָׁה (bûšâ, H954) — A general term for shame, often focusing on the feeling or state of confusion and disappointment. חֶרְפָּה (ḥerpâ, H2781) — Reproach or scorn, often implying taunting or insult from others.

Word Details

Scripture References