from חָדַל; vacant, i.e. ceasing or destitute; he that forbeareth, frail, rejected.
Transliteration:châdêl
Pronunciation:khaw-dale'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H2310}}` (châdêl) is an adjective derived from the verb `{{H2308}}` (châdal), which fundamentally means "to cease, desist, forbear, or leave off." As such, `{{H2310}}` carries a semantic range that reflects a state of cessation or absence. Its core meaning encompasses ideas of being "vacant," "ceasing," or "destitute." This can manifest in several nuanced ways:
1. **Cessation/Absence:** Denoting something that has stopped existing or is no longer present. It implies a void or emptiness.
2. **Destitution/Lack:** Indicating a state of being deprived, poor, or lacking in essential qualities, strength, or support.
3. **Frailty/Transience:** Highlighting the perishable, weak, or temporary nature of something, particularly human life.
4. **Rejection/Abandonment:** Describing a state of being forsaken, despised, or considered worthless by others. This meaning emphasizes being "left off" or abandoned by human regard.
The precise nuance of `{{H2310}}` is highly dependent on its specific biblical context, always drawing on the foundational concept of "ceasing" or "being left."
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H2310}}` (châdêl) appears rarely in the Hebrew Bible, but its few occurrences are profoundly significant, shaping key theological insights.
1. **[[Psalm 39:4]]**: "LORD, make me to know my end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am."
* Here, `{{H2310}}` is translated as "frail" (KJV, ESV, NASB) or "transient" (NIV). The Psalmist, contemplating the brevity and vulnerability of human life, uses `{{H2310}}` to express the ephemeral nature of existence in contrast to God's eternity. It underscores humanity's inherent weakness and dependence, emphasizing that human life, left to itself, quickly ceases. The word serves as a sobering reminder of mortality and the need for divine perspective.
2. **[[Isaiah 53:3]]**: "He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem."
* In this pivotal prophecy concerning the Suffering Servant, `{{H2310}}` is translated as "rejected" (ESV, NASB, NIV) or "forbearing of men" (KJV). The phrase "חָדֵל אִישִׁים" (châdêl 'ishim) literally means "one ceasing from men" or "one forsaken by men." It powerfully describes the Servant's profound abasement and the utter contempt with which He was regarded by humanity. This is not merely a passive state of ceasing, but an active rejection by human society, leading to a state of destitution in terms of human support and esteem. This verse highlights the depth of the Servant's humiliation, a critical aspect of His atoning work.
Across both contexts, `{{H2310}}` highlights a state of being diminished, whether through inherent human weakness or active human rejection.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of `{{H2310}}` is intrinsically linked to its root and extends to terms describing human weakness, mortality, and social rejection.
1. **Root Word:** `{{H2308}}` (châdal) - The verb "to cease, desist, leave off, abandon." `{{H2310}}` is the adjectival form, describing the *state* of being ceased, abandoned, or left off. This is the most direct and crucial lexical connection.
2. **Weakness and Mortality:**
* `{{H2492}}` (chalash) - "to be weak, prostrate."
* `{{H2478}}` (chalah) - "to be sick, weak."
* `{{H6059}}` (anah) - "to be afflicted, humbled, poor." These terms collectively portray the vulnerability and finite nature of humanity, resonating with the "frail" aspect of `{{H2310}}` in [[Psalm 39:4]].
3. **Rejection and Contempt:**
* `{{H959}}` (bazah) - "to despise, scorn, hold in contempt." This word frequently appears alongside `{{H2310}}` in [[Isaiah 53:3]] ("despised and rejected"), forming a powerful lexical pair that underscores the profound humiliation of the Servant.
* `{{H3988}}` (ma'as) - "to reject, despise, refuse." This term also conveys the strong sense of being cast off or considered worthless, aligning with the "rejected" nuance of `{{H2310}}` in the Isaianic context.
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H2310}}` (châdêl) is disproportionate to its rare occurrence, primarily due to its placement in key prophetic and sapiential texts.
1. **Theology of Human Frailty:** In [[Psalm 39:4]], `{{H2310}}` serves as a profound theological statement on human mortality and finitude. It reminds humanity of its transient nature, its lack of inherent enduring strength, and its absolute dependence on God. This understanding fosters humility, encourages a focus on eternal realities, and highlights the vast chasm between the Creator's eternality and the creature's temporality. It underscores the biblical theme that "all flesh is grass" ([[Isaiah 40:6]]).
2. **Theology of the Suffering Servant and Atonement:** The use of `{{H2310}}` in [[Isaiah 53:3]] is central to the Christian understanding of the Suffering Servant (Messiah) and the doctrine of atonement. The Messiah is portrayed as "rejected by mankind," experiencing the ultimate abandonment and contempt from those He came to save. This state of being "châdêl" – utterly forsaken and despised – is not a weakness on His part, but a deliberate act of self-emptying (kenosis) and identification with humanity's fallen state. His willingness to be considered "of no account" by men allows Him to bear the sins and sorrows of humanity, becoming the means of their acceptance by God. This highlights the depth of God's love and the vicarious nature of the Servant's suffering.
3. **Contrast with Divine Nature:** Implicit in both contexts is a stark contrast between the "ceasing" or "frail" nature described by `{{H2310}}` and the enduring, powerful, and accepting nature of God. Human frailty and rejection set the stage for the demonstration of divine steadfastness, mercy, and redemptive power.
### Summary
The Hebrew word `{{H2310}}` (châdêl), derived from `{{H2308}}` (châdal, "to cease"), denotes a state of being "vacant, ceasing, destitute, frail, or rejected." Though appearing infrequently, its usage carries immense theological weight. In [[Psalm 39:4]], it powerfully articulates the inherent frailty and transient nature of human life, urging a humble recognition of our mortality before an eternal God. In the pivotal messianic prophecy of [[Isaiah 53:3]], `{{H2310}}` describes the Suffering Servant as "rejected by mankind," emphasizing His profound abasement and the contempt He endured. This rejection, far from being a sign of weakness, is integral to His redemptive mission, demonstrating the depth of His identification with humanity's sin and suffering. Thus, `{{H2310}}` serves to highlight both the precariousness of human existence and the sacrificial love of the Messiah, who willingly embraced destitution and rejection for the salvation of others.
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